Japanese GP – Drivers' Scorecard

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After such a weekend and the events happened at Suzuka, giving votes is really difficult and maybe it’s not appropriate. Honestly, given the weather conditions and the necessary of respecting tv schedules, everybody deserves a high vote. Pilots has done a great job, because they concluded a race in very difficult conditions, with the exception of Fernando (stopped because of an electrical problem) and Chilton.

In these cases, my sportive spirit leads me to give everybody high votes, congratulating  them, even if Lewis Hamilton certainly deserves the nomination as top of the class and behind him there are Vettel, Button, Vergne and Ricciardo with equal credits.

It’s not the right time to give full details; let’s think about next Russian Grand Prix, which will take place within just seven days; our thoughts are all directed to Jules Bianchi, we wish him to get well soon and we are close to his family.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Japanese GP – PREVIEW

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There are only 5 remaining Grand Prix before the end of the World Championship, with a wide open fight at Mercedes’. The menu is one of those interesting, consisting of four traditional rounds (one on the brand new Russian circuit) and one GP, Abu Dhabi, which is worth even as double.

In the past, Suzuka has been scene of important challenges, both because for many years it was the final stage of the season, and because it decreed the winner. Today, instead, we arrive with many question marks. At Mercedes’, the two drivers are almost pair and reliability will play a role nearly as first actor. Behind them, there’s an open battle for third place in Drivers and Constructors Standings.

We speak of a technical and demanding track, in all accounts: pilot, car and tyres. It’s not easy to get the maximum. It’ll be interesting to see who, between Lewis and Nico, will be able to excel and take that advantage, even psychological, to face the new challenge of Sochi.

It’ll be an “open” weekend also “behind the scenes”. Honda would have liked to announce his plans for 2015 right in its living room, but it’ll be difficult; it’s still on the hunt for a top-driver. At Ferrari’s, there’s a strange silence that could be a sign of renewal. According to what we read, Maranello would make even less of its number 1. In my personal opinion: if you want to put in place an internal and such important reorganization, I would start from fixed points, without giving an extra advantage to the rivals.

There will also be the debut of Max Verstappen that from the FIA F.3 European Championship is preparing for the big jump into F.1 Circus with the colours of Toro Rosso. It’ll be interesting to follow him from the beginning. During the test on Adria’s circuit, he had got great results. He’ll have to try not to overdo it, having this test as an experience in view of 2015.

Verstappen, Fuoco, Giovinazzi & C. come to Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola next 11th – 12th October, for the last round of the FIA F.3 European. For the occasion, they share track and paddock with the younger colleagues of Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, the new series strongly supported by the International Federation, to create the first step towards professionalism. Just in last race at Monza, the 20 young pilots of F.4 have paid the audience back with amazing overtakes and fights till the last lap.

Save the date and I’ll wait for you in large numbers. Imola, 11th – 12th October for the final round of Formula 4 and Formula 3 European.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Gian Carlo Minardi “To re-establish a team, I personally would start by pilots"

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The saga on the future of Alonso, Vettel & C. continues. Never as this year, market-pilots has groping in the dark. Historically, Spa-Francorchamps and Monza were scene of announcements for team’s changes or renewals. Today, however, we’ve passed also Singapore’s night and we are going to attend Japan Grand Prix. Domino is in a precarious balance.

Just a move and several pieces may fall: “We are in a time of transition. We read different guess, but no one feels able to express an opinion with certainty, even if newspapers and television are somehow defending Fernando Alonso, that has proven in the last race to be a super-pilot, bringing his Ferrari a few tenths from Red Bull in the race and from Mercedes in Qualifying, in a long circuit like that of Singapore“, Gian Carlo Minardi analyzes on the website www.minardi.it. Mercedes is dominating this World Championship, even with some reliability problem. “The real potential of Mercedes isn’t known at 100%. If we consider the four laps after the safety car, we understand that they are martians, light years ahead of the earth. Hamilton has relegated the first of drivers (two Red Bull and one Ferrari) to more than 10″…“.

In these weeks, we have heard a lot of rumors, especially about the future of the Spanish champion: “Ferrari is going through a time of transformation and not easy renewal, in which new forces, people and strategies are involved. I would venture to say that, if I should find myself in the same situation of having to re-establish a team, I would begin by certain points: PILOTS. In my opinion, it’s difficult to criticize a driver like Alonso. Personally, I don’t think that Fernando wants to leave Maranello and not wanting to avail of him anymore could become a problem. Having in team the strongest driver of the World Championship must be a starting point“. In these years, numbers speak in favor of the Spanish, as pointed out by the manager of Faenza. “In these years, Alonso scored two times and a half the points of his team-mates . This year, the comparison is with an ex-world champion, while, until last year, with a very respectable driver as Felipe Massa, that in Williams scored big points for his team. This surely must mean something“.

As often happens in these moments, it may tend to highlight the amount of signings, declaring them too high. “It’s useless always do-goodism. Let’s talk about supply and demand. Alonso is a driver that pays himself through the points brought to team, which, at the end of the season, are transformed into image (sponsor) and TV royalties. The economic value of a pilot is given by what the pilot bring to his team“, continued the ex-constructor. “With his season and won points, the signing of Daniel Ricciardo will certainly undergo a retouching upwards“.

However, in his analysis Gian Carlo Minardi wanted to go beyond, putting himself even on company’s side. “From year to year, the hierarchies and the forces in field change radically. Precisely for this reason, why should I reconsider the renewal or a contract that expires only in 2016, looking already forward to 2017-2018? Let’s arrive to the expiry year. Only time will tell us whether to continue the partnership or look for new ways“. Honda is always looking for a top-driver, but if the team doesn’t find one available, then it may change its strategies, focusing on a three-year program with a young man. Sainz Jr., for example?

Singapore GP – DRIVERS' SCORECARD

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Lewis Hamilton 9 – When he has got no problems and thanks to his car, he can rule the roost. He reopened the World Championship and we will see some pretty ones by the end of the season. His potential is incredible. After the safety car, in just four laps he outdistanced his rivals of more than 9 sec

Jean-Eric Vergne 9 – The driver of Toro Rosso is looking for a seat for 2015. He made an exceptional race, achieving a 6th place behind only the top drivers

Fernando Alonso 8 – Once again, he proved what he’s made of. Even driving with certainly many thoughts in his head, he brought Ferrari very close to Red Bull during both tests and race, but without incredible distances from Mercedes’ dreadnought

Daniel Ricciardo 8 – Even if he didn’t start perfectly, he was able to win the podium, in spite of some technical car problems

Felipe Massa 8 – He knew how to react to an unluckily start of the season and he’s deserving the reconfirm for 2015, putting himself behind his team-mate

Pastor Maldonado 7 – He struggled with his teeth to bring a lacking car to the finish line, fighting on equal terms with Bottas on Williams

Kimi Raikkonen 6 – Vote of encouragement. Once again, he had to give way to his team-mate, closing the race with fifty seconds to him. This should make us think and reflect on what is in program at Ferrari for 2015

For all the other pilots, we don’t have special considerations; I would give a 10 to the circuit, as a race under floodlights in Singapore is spectacular, also thanks to the Italian technology of DZ Engineering, illuminating the street circuit.

 

Singapore GP – PREVIEW

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This weekend I will be back to the crime scene. In fact, I will be in Singapore, to attend a weekend that promises to be really lively behind the scenes. We still have the Honda variable, on the hunt for a Top Driver. Today there are two drivers, Alonso and Vettel, who have on their desk a contract of McLaren-Honda for next season and have to make a decision. From what it’s realized, Red Bull wouldn’t make a fuss to restrain its pilot, whose destination may not be only at McLaren.

With regards to Ferrari, Marchionne’s era has certainly started uphill. Great nervousness is breathed within the team and there are several decisions to make. Drivers are not calm too. In these days, Mr. Marchionne has confirmed his intention to keep both his drivers, but it becomes difficult to hold back a pilot against his will… Therefore, it’s necessary to be very careful.

As to the race, this Grand Prix seems to be characterized by one more unknown: the weather. For Saturday, in fact, the rain is expected, never seen yet. We hope at least in a dry Sunday; otherwise, it could be a problem.

Pirelli will bring the Super-Soft and Medium compounds, a solution that doesn’t fit perfectly to McLaren, while Ferrari proved to do better with the SS. Of course, Mercedes will be the car to beat, but watch out Red Bull. Twelve months ago, here they did what they wanted, giving also 2″ per lap to the remaining group. If they had to compensate for the engine problem with the chassis, they could come out again. We cannot forget Williams, that’s in constant growth and in fight for the third place of Constructors’ Championship. They confirmed both drivers, giving a signal of continuity and serenity. In the last GP, they has been constantly on the podium.

Ferrari is the team I see most in difficulty. It lacks in drive and engine. With six places occupied by Mercedes’ P.U., only the scraps remain to the outsiders. Toro Rosso and Force India will try to win the last available points. Now, the forces in field and the grid are almost defined, save cataclysms.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Gian Carlo Minardi "Abrupt action, due to economic-financial reasons"

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From October the 13th, after 23 years, a new era will start at Ferrari’s. The current CEO of Fiat-Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, will replace Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, in command of the “Red”.

The change at the top, that will take place, in fact, the same day in which the FCA quotation is expected to be listed on Wall Street, was already in the air, but it has accelerated sharply. “I’m personally very close to Mr. Montezemolo, as he was the first interlocutor that has led me to meet Enzo Ferrari. The summit change was in the air and it finds its motivation not so much in sports results as in economic and financial aspects, which are certainly related to the entrance of the FCA Group in Wall Street“, Gian Carlo Minardi comments on the web site (www.minardi.it). “The Turin brand needs to attract interest in the United States, showing great strength. It’s easy to imagine that the result will be achieved with a great image effect. At the moment, Ferrari is the best brand in the world! In any case, we must not forget that nowadays all the F1 teams – Williams excluded – are run by managers, who have to refer to a Board of Directors, whose goals are primarily economic and in the membership group’s interest. It is treated, in any case, of an abrupt action, against a person who, for over twenty years, has achieved significant results on all fronts, from sports to economic ones”, the manager from Faenza continues.

Montezemolo-Marchionne turnover has already created a first and unexpected movement within the company. “Roberto Fedeli, key-man of production, has moved to BMW“. Therefore, an important task is now up to the new President: to create a new winning cycle, bringing serenity within the environment. “Now, lets hope that the choices that have been made can restore serenity and enthusiasm to the Team. Ferrari lacks for nothing to return to the top. They have people and facilities, but need more investments in technology sector; Power-Unit is the main Achilles’ heel of F14-T“.

Italian GP – Drivers' Scorecard

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After the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th appointment in the World Champion, it’s time to give some votes. First of his class is, of course, Lewis Hamilton, followed by the super-young Russian of Toro Rosso, Daniil Kvyat.

Lewis Hamilton – 9 Despite his bad start, he was able to recover, imposing his style, his ability and tenacity in achieving an important result for him. Without the start’s mistake, he would have deserved a higher vote

Daniil Kvyat – 8/9 He started as last, but he recovered, finishing at the foot of the score-zone. Excellent strategy for Toro Rosso and fantastic race for him. It’s a pity for the mistake on the finish. He deserves the consecration in Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo – 8.5 He started behind and recovered positions with overtakings and crossing the finish line before Vettel. His overtakings on Magnussen and Vettel were amazing; Vettel was stripped by the Australian with a feint outwards, overtaking him inward. He is definitely taking the leadership of the team and deserves a treatment like leading driver

Felipe Massa, Valtteri Bottas e Sergio Perez – 8 The Brazilian win his first seasonal podium with Williams, while the teammate and the Force Indian pilot were the authors  of an amazing recovery

Jenson Button – 6.5 Market rumors that would like Vettel or Alonso to take his place next year have renewed him. The possibility of having again a window has restored him. He took advantage of his experience

Nico Rosberg 6 – After a perfect start, he was able to take a quite good advantage, which has been frustrated by two incredible mistakes in the first variant, which cost him a possible victory. Someone say that Nico wanted to “get even” with the teammate. However, for me he isn’t more than enough

Low vote for Ferrari. There’s an unequal struggle between Alonso and Raikkonen, having a car that gives 1.5” to competitors. There’s certainly a moment of despair. It’s certainly not only a problem of Power-Unit, but also of chassis. Compared to the Finnish, Fernando deserves at least a higher vote (also 7), because he tried to fight until he remained on track, keeping himself afloat for a sixth-seventh place. Since Friday, he has reached the limit of its F14-T, eroding then thousandths on thousandths after each session in qualifying. More, truly, it cannot hope at the moment.

Italian GP – PREVIEW

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Here we are! The Circus comes to Monza, in the temple of speed, the most historical circuit, together with Spa and Silverstone.

It is not a secret that Monza circuit is full of unknown aspects and variables, both in terms of reliability, with highly stressed engines, brakes and also tyres (Pirelli will bring Medium and Hard compounds) and, on the hand of layout, with the first chicane and the first variation, which has been the scene of numerous contacts that have changed the final result.

We are entering the final part of the Championship and many teams will have to deal with the number of PU already used, in order to avoid penalty on the starting grid. For units, the Grand Prix of Italy is certainly a great test, because the throttle valve remains open to the full, for the 75% of the lap. Then, on the calendar the Italian GP comes after Belgium, another circuit where it was no joke.

Once again, the Mercedes start as big favourites, but we must not underestimate the Williams, that have always attracted attention in these conditions. They have a good package, considering chassis-power unit-pilots, with Bottas determined to trip Fernando Alonso up for the fourth place in World Championship. After the unpleasant episode of Spa, at Mercedes’ peace should be back. The team can’t afford to lose this World Championship and, with its drivers, it will certainly strike the right note, to avoid falling again in similar mistakes.

Behind them we find Red Bull, with a great chassis and Daniel Ricciardo, that’s galvanized by the third success of the season (the only one that interrupted Mercedes’ domain till now and awarded with the Baldini Trophy in Brisighella), and Ferrari, which remains the great unknown. The men of Maranello can certainly rely on the support of the public. It’s up to them trying to snatch the third place.

A little advice as fan: go to Monza, in order to live a weekend of racing as if it were a country outing, a day off to spend together.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Belgian GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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After the Belgian Grand Prix and awaiting the arrival of Monza circuit, it’s time to give some votes. The top of the class is certainly the winner, Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 Perfect race, master of his car and excellent harmony with the Team. Now he’s to be trusted, also in view of the future

Valtteri Bottas – 8 With four podiums, he’s becoming the most interesting pilot of the new generation. He doesn’t make mistakes and might soon climb further steps of the podium

Kimi Raikkonen – 7.5 He deserves encouragement. Finally, he showed that the world title was not a case, gaining his best world ranking

Fernando Alonso – 7 For fighting with a car which is not yet up to the top ones and because of problems with Power-Unit. In addition, the inconvenience on the start row cost him 5″ penalty, decisive for the final result

Nico Rosberg – 6.5 With the car that he’s in his hands, he should certainly do a lot more. I think that the contact with Hamilton is the result of a race’s mistake, but he had to be more cautious. Such carelessness should not be done during the second lap

Daniil Kvyat – 6.5 Good competition for the young pilot of Toro Rosso. The Russian confirms that age is not a limit

Jenson Button and Felipe Massa – 5 The gap with the teammates is too wide. They have to think about it

Jules Bianchi – 6 Good Qualifying for the French, that shows a steady growth

Sebastian Vettel – 5 He makes mistakes which are not as World Champion and he loses another challenge with his teammate. 50″ of gap are too much. Maybe it’s time to find new ideas and challenges

Kevin Magnussen – 5 He’s too aggressive in the fights, taking excessive risks for himself and his rivals

At Lotus’, both drivers and team will have to ponder, because they seem to drift a bit. They have to change their course immediately

Gian Carlo Minardi “Games in F1. Unleashed Honda on the hunt for a Top Driver”

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The media “tam-tam” around the announcement of Max Verstappen continues to monopolize the conversation, diverting the attention both from the results on the track and from the great manoeuvres behind the scenes. The move of Red Bull, ‘teacher in marketing’, that has in fact attracted all the attention on itself creating a real media event, denied the undisputed leaders of this championship the front pages of newspapers and networks. “With this move, Red Bull has been able to convey the attention on itself, distracting those in the know from the results on the track or from the manoeuvers related to the drivers’ market. In these last days, it has spoken predominantly about the lightning passage of the young Max Verstappen in Toro Rosso, blurring the unbelievable result in qualifying, that highlighted two Mercedes fobbing off two world champions as Sebastian Vettel (3rd) and Fernando Alonso (4th) with even 2″ in qualifying. These performances have reaffirmed in Race, demonstrating an incredible superiority in overall level (chassis – Power Unit – electronics), although undermined by Pilots’ mistakes”, analyzes Gian Carlo Minardi on www.minardi.it.

Red Bull opened the games, but in these days great manoeuvres are expected. “After the significant investments within McLaren, Honda is looking for a Top Driver. The recent statements of loyalty by Fernando Alonso at Ferrari have effectively removed one of the ‘unhappy’. Therefore, Vettel and Hamilton remain into play. From Japan, a very strong manoeuvre is suggested to me; it has been played in the last days by Honda, in order to win the pair Newey/Vettel. Exactly at Spa-Francorchamps, Bernie Ecclestone approached Sebastian Vettel. As happened on other occasions, driven by the various actors, Mr. E might have tried to put his own, in order to convince the German champion to accept this new challenge without involving Newey. Even to Ecclestone would be convenient to see a top-driver in the recovered McLaren-Honda pair”.

The involvement of the Japanese manufacturer against Sebastian Vettel would get back into the game the landing of Carlos Sainz Jr. in Formula 1. Gian Carlo Minardi hopes for Toro Rosso in very “Young” version, with Verstappen-Sainz Jr. and the Russian Kvyat, promoted in Red Bull Racing alongside Daniel Ricciardo. As already mentioned a few days ago: “On the basis of these news, the mosaic begins to take shape. By signing the young Max, Red Bull (a brand strongly aimed at young people) accomplished an important marketing action, as well as acquiring a new potential talent. Moreover, it might also realize the task that practically everyone took for granted: Carlos Sainz Jr. in F1, Toro Rosso side. At this point, it comes easy to think about a promotion for the young Russian Kvyat alongside Ricciardo, in case the transition of Sebastian Vettel to Honda will materialize“.

“Hamilton’s enigma still remains. Unhappy more than ever after the ‘close contact’ with Rosberg, he has been defended for the first time firmly and peremptorily by Team Principal Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda. Is a new scenario emerging, changing the future strategies of Mercedes? Does a new pretender loom on the horizon … Valtteri Bottas? A young man who showed his value on track and we should not forget that he has a remarkable manager: Toto Wolff!“, concludes Gian Carlo Minardi.

The games are getting to the heart and in Monza we will know what developments will materialize for many of these movements behind the scenes.

Gian Carlo Minardi “Point on the Verstappen-Sainz pair in Toro Rosso 2015”

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After Ricciardo, Kvyat, Vettel, Alguersuari, Vergne… the new gamble in Red Bull is called Max Verstappen. The young son of the ex-Formula 1 driver Jos has joined the Red Bull family, which promptly turned him to Toro Rosso team for a lightning-debut already in 2015, when he will be just 17-years-old and will have no more than thirty-three races in an open-wheel behind him.

This year, the Dutch highlighted himself in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, creating amazing battles with our two leaders, Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi, in force in Prema and Carlin teams. With this manoeuver at the last moment, and maybe even a bit risky, Red Bull has managed to scoop Mercedes’ competition, which set his eyes for a long time on the young driver. “The guy was watched by Toto Wolff and Red Bull has gambled, guaranteeing him a record that is unlikely to be beaten in a short time and bringing him to a worldwide debut already in the next year. According to rumours, the program is certainly not free from criticism, because I believe many young people have been set aside prematurely, without the opportunity to express themselves 100%. With Ricciardo and Kvyat things are working very well and we’ll see how they will behave with the young Max. Previously, they made several mistakes, but practice makes perfect”, says Gian Carlo Minardi on the website www.minardi.it.

Even if the press release issued by the team from Faenza speaks about a 2015 line-up consisting of Kvyat-Verstappen, the manager of Faenza is not so convinced that the games are over. “This operation surprised me, as it might cause problems for Carlos Sainz J., who is part of the RB family from several years. For this reason, I see a different scene, with an extremely young Toro Rosso formed by Verstappen-Sainz J. and Daniil Kvyat towards Red Bull, in place of Sebastian Vettel“. The announcement could start the dance to new sceneries in regard to 2015 and traditionally Spa and Monza circuits are the stages of the new ads. The timer is about to shoot. “Do not forget that we have Honda determined to aim for a super-top driver for its return to the Circus and, to this day, we certainly have the first three guides unhappy with their situation: Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel. In addition, the Red Bull Racing is a brand turned to a young audience and the arrival of the new face of Kvyat alongside Ricciardo could be a very interesting marketing move. For some time, I contend that the time has come for the four-times World Champion to abdicate and accept new challenges. We are close to several changes, in a domino-style. We expect the first move and then all the others will arrive as a result“, continues the manager of Faenza.

Gian Carlo Minardi, who built his career in Formula 1 working with the very young drivers, supports the politics aimed at enhancing young people and he even hopes for a greater commitment on the part of the other teams. “Recently, with the young people we haven’t witnessed to disasters and I hope that the others will follow RB footsteps“, warns the ex-constructor. “My thoughts go out to our guys Fuoco and Giovinazzi, who are fighting on a par with Verstappen, alternating the lead. The two leaders are second to none. I hope that the FDA would put corrective measures to encourage their growth. All the top teams should have a team of reference with which growing young people. Otherwise, it is useless to have a nursery“, concludes Gian Carlo Minardi.

Belgian GP – PREVIEW

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Set aside the three-week of summer break, this weekend Formula 1 is ready to get back on track, on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, after some controversies, cut and thrust among the various teams.

Therefore, we are back on track with two tough appointments like Spa and Monza, two authentic circuits, in which the Mercedes (despite some problems of reliability) and their PU start certainly as favourite. Williams, however, could be the outsider, ready to create confusion in the first row. It will be interesting to see what innovations will be brought on track, because, in spite of summer break, the brilliant minds of the technicians have continued to think and work out, in terms of the end of the Championship and of the upcoming season.

In fact, we enter in the final part of the Championship, that promises to be very “hot”, as we have already mentioned in the previous appointments, with great movements behind the scenes. Belgium and Italy have traditionally been two intense weekends and we will see which negotiations will come to an end and which will remain locked in teams’ drawns. I have my own personal memories of 2005-Spa circuit, which marked the passage of my team in the hands of Dietrich Mateschitz.

For example, after the large investments with McLaren, we have Honda on the hunt for a super-top driver to place alongside the young Kevin Magnussen. They want to make a return in great style, to start as best they can. Consequently, Button should no longer fall within the McLaren plans. In Mercedes, at the moment, only Nico Rosberg has signed the contract extension and it is not taken for granted the permanence of Sebastian Vettel in Red Bull. Considering Ferrari, there should not be big movements, with Fernando Alonso mainly interested in receiving more guarantees on the technical front. But in life, and especially in F1, you can never say never. In these days, the vent of Marmorini is synonymous with great nervousness and, therefore, Marco Mattiacci must first of all bring serenity within the team.

Red Bull has started itself to shake up the market, putting under contract Max Verstappen, who has followed in his father’s footsteps – Jos Verstappen – and who ran with me in 2003; he’s doing very well in Formula 3, as well as our Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi. In the next season, the Dutch will be the new driver for Toro Rosso team, alongside Kvyat. The games have started.

We come from very interesting races, that have been able to give us back that show so claimed from the beginning of the season, proving that this F1 is not to reject, being in front of such an epochal change. The engineers and technicians have been able to make giant steps, such as at Renault, allowing Daniel Ricciardo to conquer the only two victories so far not marked Rosberg and Hamilton. And  exactly Ricciardo will be awarded in Brisighella with the Bandini Trophy on August 31st, an award that has always been a good auspice to its winners (from Schumacher to Vettel, passing through Rosberg, Alonso and many others), who brought home extremely interesting results.

Note: Article updated upon confirmation of Verstappen in Toro Rosso.

Gian Carlo Minardi: Midsummer thoughts…

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All F1 teams are on holiday: after eleven GPs all the workers, as the Regulations state, must take a well-deserved rest to recharge the batteries and get ready to tackle the next eight appointments that will lead us to the end of the World Championship 2014. Obviously Factories are under the control of FIA and no employee or worker may enter the factory (excepting the systems maintenance teams); nothing escapes the supervisors, even the e-mail traffic of teams can be controlled.

At the resumption of works, it will be a hot Autumn: the run-up to the supremacy of Mercedes makes me forecast large movements regarding the Teams’ workforce. Ferrari has already begun, but what they did seems not enough, so other changes are in the air. McLaren is also forced to work in such a way to ensure Honda a technical return on the investments they are doing in F1, not to mention Lotus, that is once again making big changes at the corporate and technical levels to switch from Renault to Mercedes engines. However, no team will be free from revolutions, that will either regard the technical side or the pilots, or even changes of Team Principal and Managing Director (this could be one of the reasons that led Bernie to postpone the meeting in London to find new solutions together with Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren).

F1 is increasingly split into two groups, with some teams who work to achieve leadership while others are struggling to survive. These two groups will have to match their different interests, with the sole aim to relaunch F1 attracting new fans, particularly among young people, being more effective in promotional and media terms for new sponsors.

To achieve this, there will probably be the need to rewrite the Rules, to make them clear and understandable to all.

Now let’s go on holiday… With so many doubts and perplexities, curious to see what will happen since after Monza, an historical step for certain changes.

Happy holidays!


 
 
 
 
Picture: BlogF1.it