Archive for category: F1

With the assignment of Maurizio Arrivabene, at Ferrari the new era has started. There’s will to quickly archive a season full of difficulties, which led to several changes in its staff. Changes that, however, are destined to continue, as Gian Carlo Minardi said in the past: “I have to congratulate Mr. Sergio Marchionne, because the first choice was more than spot-on. Maurizio Arrivabene is certainly the right man for this Ferrari that wants to turn over a new leaf quickly“, the manager from Faenza said on www.minardi.it. “I wish him good luck, as he is called to not an easy job. Despite commitments are a lot at the moment and time is very little, he will have to make prompt changes quickly. In the past, everybody wanted to go to work at Ferrari, but now wind seems to have changed. Maranello seems to have lost “reliability” in its projects, receiving denials from important people who have won so much in Ferrari. There’s need of a man with strong leadership to reverse this course“.

In recent months the name of Ross Brawn was often joined to that of Ferrari. The British engineer could then hang up the fishing rod to embrace again the racing world. “Rumours coming from Germany speak of Ross Brawn ready to accept new challenges, but far away from Ferrari. In fact, it hears about a strong interest on Audi’s side. For this reason, Arrivabene will have to make even unpopular and risky decisions on the technical side, writing a new story, or trying to put pressure on the man that now is the most wanted and requested, Brawn precisely”. With the arrival of Sebastian Vettel some changes have already glimpsed. “In these days, we have seen the German surrounded by Resta and Adami engineers“, both with a past at different times in Faenza (one in Minardi Team, the other in Toro Rosso). Riccardo Adami will be the new race engineer of the four-times  world champion. “Therefore, something has already changed“. Waiting for passing the baton between Mattiacci and Arrivabene, Sebastian Vettel entered officially in “red”, driving in Fiorano with the F2012, working on the simulator and visiting the factory. “I have to congratulate the creator of this political-advertising move. They have been able to draw the attention of media, giving a new image both to Vettel and Ferrari. A move of image perfectly spot-on“, Minardi concludes, “that marks an important turning point within the racing team”.

Mercedes – 10 Without reliability problems, it would certainly be an A+ season. With sixteen successes of nineteen Grand Prix, it has hit the jackpot. Hamilton is a “races” animal, a bit less in Qualifying. As for Rosberg, he was able to fight on pair with Lewis. He has to be more consistent in race. Certainly, he will still have a way to fight with his tam-mate. At the beginning of the season, everyone has already considered him as defeated

Williams – 9 Moving from ninth to third place in Constructors’ standings in just one year is synonymous with having worked not only in the right direction, but also having chosen expert people, many of which are Ferrari’s “fugitives”. This certainly has to make us reflect and serve as an example. Thanks also to Mercedes PU, it was able to move up the ranks, especially in the second half of the season, becoming the second force in the World Championship

Red Bull – 8 It’s a vote that goes mainly to the chassis, as it is limited by transalpine PU. It deserves also a higher vote, but, honestly, I didn’t like at all the last “trickery” in Qualifying. The penalty is also perhaps been too mild. Its problem is PU and it may prevent these actions not really clear. It has been the only one to put a spoke in Mercedes’ wheels, going on to win three races with Ricciardo. I would not risk ruining the credibility of a team that has won so much, with trickeries like this

McLaren – 8 It has been able to recover, being as a third reality in recent races. This vote wants to be a vote of confidence. With the arrival of Honda, it can certainly make the leap. As a team, despite the looting of technicians of last season, it proved to have a “hard core” on which restart. I hope it will be one of the next team on the rise, in order to make next 2015 Championship more exciting

Force India – 7.5 Certainly, it has put together many points, being able to be competitive in almost all races, thanks to Mercedes’ PU. It has to struggle between budget and inventions, but it did a great job

Toro Rosso – 7 Very strong in Qualifying, entering, on several occasions, in the top-10. Unfortunately, frustrated result too often in race and, therefore, it has to work on this aspect for the future

Ferrari – 6 The latest moves at the top could be a positive sign for the future. The arrival of Maurizio Arrivabene is a great signal. He knows very well F1 environment, Ferrari and Agnelli family. I am sorry for Marco Mattiacci, but, considering experience, there can be no comparison. It has been one of the most difficult seasons for Maranello, both technically and sportingly, although it had two World Champions

Marussia – 6 For having won two points in Montecarlo, despite many financial difficulties. They are now in receivership, but I hope that the result of Montecarlo might be the basis for a new restart

Sauber e Lotus – 5 They have fallen too low. Certainly, they not have been helped by Ferrari and Renault’s PU, but causes of their failure have to be charged ascribed to a non-performing chassis’ project

Caterham – 4 After so many years, it should have done more. I hope it will find the right resources to start in 2015

Gian Carlo Minardi

We’ve come to the nineteenth race, the last race of a season that has passed quickly, among polemics, technical developments, difficulties for teams and clear supremacy of Mercedes.

We had to wait until the last weekend to know Sebastian Vettel’s successor, who will leave the #1. It will be an internal fight at Mercedes, between Hamilton and Rosberg. The English driver, thanks to his advantage, will act in reply, while victory might not be enough for Nico. I can’t see any driver that can come between them, to favour either. Williams itself is still very far away, as proved by a 41″ sec. suffered in Brazil. The fight for third place among Constructors, instead, is done deal for Williams, despite the availability of double points, which have proved to be useless.

For the final round, Pirelli brings Soft and SuperSoft. This could give us a hard-fought Qualifying. Fifteen days ago, we had even 18 drivers in just 2″, while, during the race, differences between Mercedes and the remaining group could come out anyway. This compounds’ solution may not favour McLaren in the fight for fourth place. Button-Magnussen’s car has proved to be more powerful with Medium and Hard. Moreover, through a tweet, they’ve also announced that we should wait over December 1st to know the new line-up, even if games are already made.

Behind the pit, the atmosphere will be very “hot”, with various decisions to take, related to third car, prizes distribution and Power-Unit changes.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Interlagos is always an amazing and considerable circuit. The organizers deserve praise for the work done on the asphalt, having improved its performance. It was also very interesting Piquet’s speech on stage at the end of GP, which bring F.1 back to past times, with questions for drivers related to other topics outside the race, making it more joking.

Nico Rosberg – 10 Pole and victory, without making the slightest imperfection, despite Hamilton’s important pressure during the all race. If he’s made fewer mistakes during the season, this would be for him an incredible match-point. Unfortunately, he alternated masterful and less positive performances, like in Austin, when he practically opened the door to team-mate

Lewis Hamilton – 9 He made a mistake, trying to regain his team-mate and scoring, anyway, the fastest lap of the race. In many passes, they challenged on the edge of the second tenth, running on high paces. He gave a hard time to the team-mate and it was a fight just between the two of them. Unluckily, only one can win, even though they both deserve an award

Felipe Massa – 9 He made two mistakes, exceeding the speed-limit and stopping in the wrong box, but he has completed a masterful race, gaining a new podium for himself and for his Williams. To date, unfortunately, they are not yet in a position to strike back Mercedes’ supremacy and only external factors may change an already written, also in Abu Dhabi

Jenson Button – 8 As separated (or almost), he is proving that he would deserve better consideration

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He is author of a great race and he led the only points at Renault

Fernando Alonso – 8 He constantly fight with a knife between his teeth, despite a car that is not perfect. Today, he is the fourth power of the world championship, behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams. With limited time available, it will be hard to solve problems. Once again, however, he wins the battle with the team-mate, who gave an awakening signal

Nico Hulkenberg – 7 He brings new points at Force India

Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen – 6 They have not been able to confirm the results obtained in Qualifying, losing the comparison with the “veteran” team-mates

Austin’s circuit is one of the most technical circuit of latest generation and it allowed us to attend a considerable Grand Prix and to evaluate reasonably well all values in the field. Besides, there have been penalties related to the use of new Power-Unit.

Mercedes – 10 They certainly deserve the highest-ever vote of the weekend, both for performances and for how they’re managing the internal fight between Hamilton and Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg – 9  Sensational race and Qualifying. Qualities and “defects” of both of them balance out. One wins the pole and the other takes the Win

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 Race with outstanding overtakings. He is always very aggressive and confirms to be the most pleasant surprise of this season. He is an authentic team-leader. 65-points lead over the four-times World Champion the first year in a top team, they aren’t a few.

Felipe Massa – 8,5 He took advantage 100% of  Williams’ potential, although, once again, he has been penalized by a pit-stop that his team-mates didn’t allowed him. Bad luck seems to not want to abandon him

Jean-Eric Vergne – 8 Despite the uncertain future, he races brilliantly, getting the most and bringing important points to Toro Rosso

Fernando Alonso – 8 He is the only real weapon of Ferrari. He managed to stay ahead of Sebastian Vettel and showed what he is made of. He remains the number 1

Sebastian Vettel – 7 Great recovery. From pit-lane to the seventh place. He is in trouble with this car, but he wants to clarify that he arrive in Ferrari thanks to his value

Valtteri Bottas – 6,5 Honestly, I didn’t like him on this occasion. He was not the usual Bottas, perky and aggressive

Sergio Perez – 5 I don’t understand him at all. This is not the first time he make such mistake of this kind and the facial expression of his Team Principal says it all. He was certainly not satisfied

Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen – 5 It’s necessary to see if it is their or car’s fault. McLaren is certainly one of those cars, like Ferrari, that doesn’t shallow certain compounds

Kimi Raikkonen – N.D Ruthless comparison with his team-mate, both for points and for positions. He has never been in the race. He cannot solve his problems and this is not a good sign, considering a future perspective

Now, we will see what will happen in less than seven days in Brazil, the penultimate round of the World Championship. The “end” word may come.

Gian Carlo Minardi

In virtue of Caterham and Marussia’s forfeit, the adoption of third car will be the subject of meetings during the Grand Prix at Austin, third to last round of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Arranging a third car is not so simple and obvious, because, besides the cost, it also requires precise organization in terms of manpower and logistics. It’s necessary to weight up at 100% all Pros and Cons of such operation, to avoid finding oneself in similar situations, with excessive increase of costs that are ruining not only to the two “Cinderellas”. We have at least one other team navigating dangerous waters. Unlike Caterham’s situation, Marussia has an interesting business card, resulting from the current ninth place in Constructors’ Standings (before Sauber and Caterham), which would be tuned into money at the end of the season. Of course, it’ll be necessary to size up all the way the state of health. Getting to controlled administration three GP from the end is not a good sign. It have also to be considered what are the terms of the “bonus” granted by Mr. Ecclestone, in order not to lose the rights obtained through the current ninth place.

There are too many irons in the fire and I hope that it’s high time to sit around a table to evaluate difficulties and find solutions, to save this sick F1. There’s need of the right antidote, to give new lifeblood and vitality to the environment.

With regards to this Grand Prix, Austin is certainly one of the more technical and valid circuits (among those of latest generation). It will lead to inflamed competition, in which 2 pit-stops are expected, having at disposal Medium and Soft. So, we return to talk about strategies, which are the missed ingredient in Russia. Little to say at Mercedes. Won the Constructors’ title, Mercedes should just figure out who will be its champion. Open fight between Lewis and Nico, where each one has a specific purpose: trying to close the gap in the case of the German and widen it, to be less vulnerable in Abu Dhabi, in case of the English. Behind them, there’s the race for third place, while, among constructors, the challenge for Constructors’ third and fourth places will fire up, with a three-fight: Williams, Ferrari, McLaren. We expect a second/third row in ferment.

Considering the market, the arrival of third car could move even more the environment. To date, four seats are missing, as well as many drivers that will try to propose themselves again, also putting pressure on their budgets. Taking that I do not like the idea of  “third car”, I hope at least that it should be entrusted to young drivers to keep growing. Meanwhile, in recent weeks Nico Hulkenberg has been confirmed at Force India, one of the teams of second category, certainly more appealing.

Gian Carlo Minardi