Archive for category: F1

During the test session, which will take place on Spielberg circuit, the week after the Austrian Grand Prix, the Ferrari Driver Academy’s driver Antonio Fuoco will sign his debut at the wheel of the Ferrari SF-15T. For the 19-year-old Calabrian driver involved in GP3 with Carlin team, this will be the debut in an official test of Formula 1.

Antonio will get into the cockpit on Tuesday 23^rd and then pass the wheel the next day to the third driver of Scuderia Ferrari, Esteban Gutiérrez. “I am very happy with this news. The FDA program is very ambitious. I am convinced that Vettel’s next team-mate will arrive exactly from the Academy”, Gian Carlo Minardi commented few weeks ago, during the interview for his website minardi.it. “It would be interesting to a lean young to grow, that does not require large investments, diverting the latter on the development of the complex technical”.

For some time the manager from Faenza hopes a return to test sessions open to young drivers, perhaps even on Fridays of Grand Prix races, just a few years ago. “Do not forget that from the free practice sessions on Friday morning open to rookies emerged drivers like Sebastian Vettel – four times world champion – and Robert Kubica, just to name two. This proves that when people who know F.1 environment propose rules, something good is done. This is why I insist that within the Federation competent technicians involved in the team should intervene. Formula 1 should be run by the FIA, for the drafting of technical and sporting regulations, and by the FOA, with regard to communication and promotion. But today we have a Strategy-Group consisting directly from F1 teams, where everyone rightly furthers his own cause.

This is the week of the Austrian Grand Prix, the eighth appointment of F1 World Championship. This Grand Prix came back in the F1 calendar last year: in Styria Formula 1 experienced one of races with the best organization ever, rewarded with terraces and lawns crowded of public, thanks to the presence of nine Austrian drivers on track for the Legends Parade. This year the initiative will be repeated too, and the main theme will be the cars powered by Turbo engines of the ‘80s.

In the weeks before, however, Helmut Marko, the right arm of Mr. Red Bull, alarmed about on the sharp fall in ticket sales – despite the many initiatives put in place – because of the particularly difficult moment that Formula 1 is experiencing. “Besides the lack of the traditional sound of the engines, the cars are too easy to drive”, Marko declared, remarking those Power-Units that are creating many problems to Red Bull. “Everything has started with the introduction of the power-unit, which are not sustainable for this Formula 1 and are so complex that can’t be introduced in the mass-production cars”.

“I understand the difficulty of confirming the success of sales in 2014 because, apparently, Berni Ecclestone has imposed to maintain the same prices of other circuits“, Gian Carlo Minardi comments. “Frankly, I find it really absurd, because as organizer, I should decide how to organize the Grand Prix and estimate the loss amount, especially if I have paid the sum required for the race. Evidently, the imposed price increase of tickets is affecting the presale, considering also the current economic unlucky moment of Europe. Last year, the Austrian Gp was one of the best-organized Grand Prix, thanks to the many initiatives of background, such as the Legends Parade, which is confirmed also for this weekend. I hope that ticket sales will recover as closers we’re getting to the event“, the manager from Faenza, who will be in Spielberg, concludes.

This is a sign that something more has to change in this Formula 1, and also as soon as possible.

The world of motorsport entered the weekend that will take us to the race in the world’s most famous endurance scene: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In terms of Formula 1, we have just left behind the Canadian Grand Prix. Therefore, we wanted to meet Gian Carlo Minardi to talk about the problems of Circus, but not and beyond.

Formula 1 is not going through its best moment. Where can we find the causes?

Right now Formula 1 needs to find again its appeal. We have too much complicated races to experience and interpret. Sometimes, the staff and commentators themselves have difficulties. Moreover, we see meetings that lead nowhere. Lately, there has been talk for the umpteenth about car leasing and refueling, without evaluating the economic impact of these operations. Cars built to win a World Championship have strategies construction and operating costs well above the minor open-wheels. I personally studied this fact in 1996. Fortunately, it seems that in Canada Team Principals made a step back on refueling. I see too much confusion and lack of professionalism. The climax was reached just in Montreal, during the penalty imposed on Vettel and Verstappen. From the temporary standings to the official one there were six hours. An eternity. It means that the regulations are so messed up that those who wrote them can not read and translate them easily.

What could be the recipe for a revival?

I have no magic wand, but have long asserted that the Strategy-Group should be made up of people outside the team. Technicians updated on latest technology and who know the F.1 environment, but that are not directly involved by teams. Otherwise, everyone further his own cause, obviously. Formula 1 should be run by the FIA, for the drafting of technical and sporting regulations, and by the FOA, with regard to communication and promotion. A step forward was taken by Jean Todt, who strengthens his group, working alongside Charlie Whiting and Jo Bauer and also the aerodynamic expert Marcin Budkowski. We need simple and lasting rules. In this way, we could also attract new constructors. Today, all companies have a ready-to-use Power-Unit, but with these uncertainties no one is so foolish as to enter.

We have to add the technical difficulty of three teams

We experience a clear supremacy of Mercedes, thanks to its Power-Unit. Among eight cars with the German engine, seven constantly occupy the top ten. In contrast, we have three teams (Red Bull, Toro Rosso and McLaren), not in financial difficulty, suffering technical problems of Renault and Honda. I repeat that the motor racing should have the greatest expression of technological research in the LMP1, with companies committed to transfer technologies from track to streets. The F1 has to be the ultimate expression of speed, technique and performance.

What future do you see for these two realities?

There were several boards of directors in the last few weeks and sincerely I don’t see great solutions or pleasant scenarios. Honda is a historical name and to date there’s no improvement. Even the Japanese could have their sudden impulses and I don’t see a rosy future also for the French.

This weekend there will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans and, after the return of Nissan, 2016 will be the Ford’s turn

The FIA WEC, whose calendar includes the French marathon, must call all the constructors in order to develop the latest technologies, to be transferred later on mass-production cars. I would, in fact, frowned upon the use of PU in this scenario, because the future of standard cars will go toward turbo and hybrid. The endurance races have always represented this type of challenges for the companies, while the approach is different for the F1.

At the start there will be also Nico Hulkenberg. Are you in favor of these exchanges?

In the contracts that I signed with my drivers, I have always added the clause against the 24H, because it hides too many pitfalls, considering the track layout, the reached speed and the many cars which are simultaneously on the track. Therefore, I don’t look favorably on these exchanges. There are many valid drivers and there’s no need to catch them among the 22 drivers of F1.

After the Canadian Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen is at the epicenter of the public debate

As Maurizio Arrivabene informs, Kimi knows exactly what to do to renew with Ferrari. From what I’ve seen in these first few races, in my opinion, he is not a driver for Maranello, which can already count on a four-time World Champion and I’ll pull him alongside a young driver. He is not up to the task, as well as last year.

With regard to young drivers. During the test sessions in Australia, Fuoco will debut at the wheel of Ferrari

I am very happy with this news. The FDA program is very ambitious. I am convinced that next Vettel’s teammate will came right from the Academy. The current situation will take several months to recover the technical gap towards Mercedes. Therefore, it would be interesting to a trust on a young driver to grow, who does not require large investments that can be used for the development of the technical part.

Formula 1 greets Europe and flies overseas to Canada, to the land of Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal. A special Grand Prix, which is run on a half-road half-permanent circuit, where pitfalls abound. An example: the weather conditions, with wind and temperatures ready to change quickly, putting then a strain on strategies and tyres. The track has low grip and Pirelli will bring Soft and SuperSoft tyres. In addition, the safety car is almost constantly present, as it made its entrance on track in 82% of cases.

Then, there are other significant variables. The layout requires a low downforce, with engines forced to have the throttle valve open to the maximum for 60% of the time, thanks to the second longest straight of the world championship, in which engines touch the 350 km/h, before a sudden braking, which provides strain on the entire brake system, together with five other hard brakings, located along the 4361 meters. About engines: after signing the new record by completing 6 consecutive GP with the same PU, Mercedes is preparing to bring on track a new unit, with the addition of 50 hp.

Let’s have a look also to gears and consumption. Traditionally, Montreal is one of the tracks with the highest rate of consumption. Compared to last year, also in this area, it has taken a big step forward, but it remains a good test circuit.

Hence, the unknown elements are not lacking. It will be worth to see this Grand Prix, considering what happened in Monaco. Mercedes has already made mistake, paying for the wrong strategy, even if the race in Montecarlo went “good”, in any case.

Once again behind the scenes meetings will animate the circus, as happened fifteen days ago. Carlos Ghosn and Berni Ecclestone met certainly do not discuss the Cannes Film Festival or the Casino, but certainly to talk about a future that looks so rosy, since it involves two teams such as Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Meetings will be about how to remedy decisions that might be striking.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Montecarlo Grand Prix enlivened in the closing stages, thanks to Grosjean-Verstappen’s contact, after a good recovery of the Dutch driver, despite the error in the pit stop, and thanks to the reckless, inappropriate strategy of Mercedes, which called the leader of the race at the pit with the safety-car, in my opinion for an excessive pride, bringing then the success to Rosberg.

Lewis Hamilton – 10 His Qualifying lap was spectacular and his race flawless, managed at his best all race, from the beginning till the end. Too bad for the mistake of the pit stop. On his return on track, he tried several times to overcome Vettel, who achieved a second position.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He optimized the Ferrari, which still gives something to competitors. The third placement in Qualifying was excellent and it was the first one after Mercedes to get under the wall of 1’16”. He made no mistake during the race, managing to do well at the restart after the safety car, standing Hamilton’s ground and trying to attack him with his SuperSoft tyres.

Nico Rosberg – 8 He was behind his team mate for the whole weekend, but helped by the mistake in the final laps. With the victory, he is just 10 points away from the teammate, making the next GP more electrifying. On the final, he managed to outdistance Vettel with more than 4 sec, constantly racing on 1’18″599 and 1’18″700.

Jenson Button – 8 Despite McLaren-Honda still in late, he achieved the first points in the World Championship. Throughout the race, he defended himself with pretty good time results, in spite of a delay in car development.

Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat – 7.5 Red Bull has shown significant progresses in this weekend. Ferrari will have to be careful. Good work by Daniel and good sportsmanship to the fellow who finished fourth. Kvyat was criticized excessive.

Sergio Perez – 7 He struggled with determination throughout the weekend bringing the Force India in seventh place. He did as best as he could.

Carlos Sainz jr. – 7 Hi race was amazing, after an excellent Qualifying performance but with excessive zeal in stewards’ application of the regulations. He started from the pits with a very risky strategy and recovered up to tenth place.

Unsatisfactory all the others, especially Raikkonen, who lost once again the comparison with Vettel. Too many mistakes and he was unremarkable in both practice and race sessions.

Talking about the team, in addition to the disastrous race management of Mercedes (4), things went certainly not very well also at Williams, which will be forced to defend itself against a Red Bull in growth, instead of fighting for the second place in the championship. A 6 of encouragement to Sauber, Force India, Lotus and Toro Rosso.

Montecarlo is Montecarlo. Glamour, parties, atmosphere, yachts. It’s obviously an incredible and unique weekend, starting from the planning, with the first two free practice sessions from Thursday, coming back on track on Saturday and Sunday for the Gran Gala of the Grand Prix. Above all, the possibility to see the open wheels drive fast just closer to their fans. A truly unique event.

It will be a Gp focused on Mercedes, with an internal battle. In the last two years, Nico Rosberg has managed to be the first and, after the Spanish success, he will try to go on the positive way of successes, taking advantage of his feeling with the circuit of Monaco. Certainly, he cannot be much more outdistanced by Lewis Hamilton.

All the others remain an unknown, being far away for the incredible German power and I don’t expect miracles. Incidents can be always really close and compounds could help. Pirelli will bring special Supersoft, very performing, and Soft, which could favour those who have less grip and traction, such as Ferrari.

I hope that this long weekend, which will start today with a PR conference, will be the occasion to make things clearer on what the Strategy Group has suggested. In my opinion, these proposals don’t represent the right way, because Formula 1 problems about no spectacle and the economic and technical crisis are undertaken. All these proposals are focused on 2017, but firstly there’s need to overcome the 2016. There are too many unknown elements about Circus’ future and they’re unacceptable for all those teams ready to enter.

From the one side, we have Audi AD who declares: “F1 has to solve its problems by itself”, that’s to say: first of all, rules have to be clear and then we can enter. From the other side, there’s Renault, which is creating a lot of problems to two small regular teams, one of which is twice Wold Champion. The scene is certainly not the most solid ones. This is why these proposals seem to me not suitable to the actual situation. In the last years, there have been made choices in favour of safety. Now, there are proposals for 1000 hp engines and 4-5” more performing cars, including again supplies, going back to chronometric results of 6-7 years ago. It denies everything done so far. Moreover, we’ve a GP2, which in Spain has been faster than the last row of F1. This GP2 counts on 200 hp less and on budgets that are far away from those of Circus. Numbers that should make us think about.

For this reason, I hope there’ll be FIA and FOA interventions, in order to find serious and useful solutions to reach and pass 2016 with no problems, giving stability to the atmosphere.

Gian Carlo Minardi