F1 | Gp Mexico, Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari. MINARDI “All pre-race tactics”

 

We have entered the week that brings us to the Mexico Grand Prix, the fourth last round of the world championship. Despite the declarations by Lewis Hamilton who sees Ferrari as the clear favourite, especially in the two long straights, I believe that both he and Mercedes remain the favourites and that the British driver will peacefully celebrate his sixth world championship.

The struggle for the title of vice champion is to be watched carefully with Bottas (274 points) in front of the two Ferrari drivers with Leclerc on 221 points in front of Vettel (212) who is tied with Verstappen. As has already happened in Japan, Mercedes could favour also favour the Finn driver to help him consolidate his position.

Even if they come from some subdued grands prix, they will have to watch their backs from Red Bull, the winner of the last two editions. The two straights are no help at time for the Honda engine but the chassis will know how to reduce the gap in the driven part.

On the tyre front, the three top teams have opted for different choices with 7 sets of Softs for Mercedes and Ferrari, against the 9 of Verstappen-Albon. Bottas will have at his disposal 4 Medium C3s, while Hamilton, Vettel and Leclerc five sets each with 3 for Red Bull. Two sets of the C2 Hard for the Finn driver against only 1 for his direct rivals.

It will be an interesting grand prix, both for the struggle at the top and also the various tirades that have exploded in recent weeks. The power of the Ferrari engine continues to cause discussion. I sincerely do not understand why these controversies have blown up so strongly in this part of the season. Until now nothing had come out and every clarification is important for the future but also from what we have learnt the project’s idea would not be forbidden. Racing Point’s protest against Renault has also dominated conversation and if confirmed could put into serious doubt the team’s permanence in the world championship.

As we wait to see what the GP in Mexico City will give us, I will be waiting for you on Friday morning at the Auto e moto d’epoca Fiera (Vintage Car and Motorcycle Fair) in Padua at the ACI stand where we will present the programme and the news of the 5th edition of the Historic Minardi Day scheduled from Friday April 24th to Sunday April 26th in Imola that this tear will host the ACI Storico (Historic) Festival.

Gian Carlo Minardi