F1 | MONACO GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “IN MONTECARLO, QUALIFYING IS WORTH HALF THE RACE. PETROL COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE”

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Monte Carlo remains a unique round of the Formula 1 calendar. It is a sort of roulette where much of the result is decided on Saturday. On such a narrow and twisty track, qualifying takes on fundamental importance and, barring accidents, the safety car or unusual episodes, the race is very often already decided at the first corner.

This year we come to the Principality with some new changes to the regulations introduced primarily with safety in mind, including a ban on active aerodynamics. It will be interesting to see how these changes will affect the behaviour of the cars on a circuit that demands maximum downforce and an extremely precise setup.

At Monaco the power of the engine takes a step back compared to the efficiency of the chassis, the setup and the skill of the drivers to avoid the guardrails for lap after lap. As I had already stated, also keep an eye out for the importance of the fuel. On a track as unique as Monte Carlo, where the cars race with the maximum downforce, and where today any detail can make a difference, the quality of the fuel used by various teams could become an even more decisive factor.  When the times are so close, even apparently minor details could affect the final result. For these reasons, I expect a particularly close fought weekend.

Mercedes and McLaren are certainly the favourites but also keep an eye on Ferrari as they could well joint the battle at the top. On the Principality’s track, the engine plays a lesser role than on other tracks and the quality of the car’s setup could make all the difference.

In addition, Ferrari renewed Charles Leclerc’s contract This is a significant decision that ensures continuity for the team and will allow the driver from Monaco to approach his home grand prix with greater peace of mind, focusing solely on his work on the track.

From a technical point of view, Pirelli has once again chosen the softest compound range available: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft. The circuit features a very smooth asphalt, and, in some sections, it was resurfaced recently, particularly between turns 19 and 1, and between turn 7 and the entrance to the tunnel, as well as the entry and exit of pitlane. Traditionally, tyre wear is very low, and this could favour a one stop strategy.

This year a trial rule was introduced that required at least two pitstops, but the regulation was then scrapped and so the traditional strategy was reinstated. However, an eye must be kept on the potential issue of graining. Naturally, one of the variables to consider is the safety car which, in Monaco, could turn the race on its head in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, the weather forecast does not appear to be a decisive factor during the race.

Therefore, there are all ingredients for watching a spectacular Grand Prix, where precision, strategy and a cool head could prove even more important than sheer speed.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | CANADIAN GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “CAN MONTREAL SHAKE UP THE BALANCES?”

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It has been three weeks since the Miami Grand Prix and Formula One is landing in Montreal, Canada on the 4,351m long track named after Gilles Villeneuve. It is an unusual track characterized by long straights and particularly demanding spots of braking that put the brake systems under severe strain. The track has been resurfaced recently and is currently very smooth and not very abrasive. Furthermore, we are talking about a street-circuit and consequently the track will evolve significantly during the weekend. This year, in addition to the top category, Formula 2 will also be present.

The Sprint format will also make its debut in Montreal. For the teams and the drivers having only one session of free practice before the main event will be an additional challenge.

This year the circus is taking place in Canada a few weeks earlier than usual in the world championship calendar, and this could have a further impact also in terms of the weather. Weather conditions always represent a strong source of uncertainty because they can change very quickly due to the absence of mountains and the proximity of the ocean.

This is traditionally a race based on two-stops, but this year the choice could be for just one pit stop. As always, keep an eye out for the for the possible entry of the safety car.

Pirelli has chosen to bring the softest range of compounds available onto the track; C3 as the Hard, C4 the Medium and C5 the Soft. Potential graining must also be monitored.

As I have already mentioned, we are coming back from a three-week break and many teams – if not all of them -, will introduce technical updates to try to challenge the supremacy of the Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team. In the front row there will surely be McLaren which was revitalized in Miami, but keep an eye on Red Bull Racing and Ferrari too.

Speaking about Red Bull, Max Verstappen kept himself in shape by taking part in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. His race ended three hours before the finish, but it is always great to see champions of his calibre taking time for fun and put on a show for the fans.

Amongst the unknown factors, we must not forget the infamous “Wall of Champions “which is always insidious at the exit of the final chicane following the long straight.

Let’s hope for a good time and to hear Italy’s national anthem once again.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | JAPANESE GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI “A SPECTACLE ON THE TRACK, AND THEN SILENCE: SUZUKA BEFORE THE FORCED STOP”

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We are coming from days of all Italian celebration thanks to Kimi Antonelli’s win in China. It was an important win for both him and Italian motorsport. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Imola Circuit for the dinner to celebrate Ayrton Senna’s birthday. I saw a calm, relaxed young man who was approachable to everyone. This too is one of his strong points, together with his natural talent and his ability to never make the same mistake twice.

Now we move to Japan, on a track that really brings out the best in all the drivers, and I hope that he will be able to show us all how talented he is once again.  Suzuka is a real track, one of the most popular in Formula 1, because its eighteen bends really allow the driving skills to shine through.

Unlike previous years, the Circus has come to the track at the start of the season. This is a significant change from a logistical point of view too, and one that could affect the weather conditions that the drivers and the teams will face: heavy rain that could in fact give way to temperatures that are even higher than the seasonal average.

On the tyre front, Pirelli has chosen the hardest compounds – C1 for the Hard, C2 the Medium and C3 for the Soft – partly because the track surface tends to favour graining, especially in the softest tyres

We are only at the third race of the season, so it is too early to draw up a clear pecking order. The exception is Mercedes that currently appears to have an overall advantage across all the areas of the car, and not just in the power unit, as some would have us believe. For now, Ferrari sits behind them as the second strongest team in the world championship.

But keep an eye on the calendar. After Japan there will be a “blackout” of a month, due to the (temporary?) cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP. This will be a period in which all the teams will work intensively in the factory and on the simulator. When the season resumes in Miami (1-3 May) the balance of power could also change. Today Formula 1 is capable of reacting much more quickly than in the past.

In the meantime, for this weekend some teams – including Haas, Racing Bulls, Red Bull and Mercedes- have unveiled special liveries to mark the occasion, helping to make these cars even more striking.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | CHINESE GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MERCEDES IS STILL IN THE LEAD, BUT FORMULA 1 IS STILL IN THE LEARNING STAGE”

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From Australia to China. Formula 1’s new season lands in Shanghai in an atmosphere of uncertainty among the drivers and the insiders. The weekend of the Chinese Grand Prix will in fact be a particularly important test, also because it will host the first Sprint Race of the season.

The first signs from the opening round have already sparked some thoughts within FIA. The pre-season test days showed that they were probably not enough for all the teams to thoroughly evaluate the technical variables of the new racing cars. It cannot be ruled out that there may be changes in the winter preparation in the future, although any changes will inevitably take time.

Dopo una sola gara, tuttavia, qualsiasi analisi sul reale equilibrio di forze tra le scuderie deve essere condotta con cautela. Le squadre si trovano ancora in una fase di comprensione delle vetture, tra raccolta dati, correlazione tra simulatore e pista e progressiva ottimizzazione dei set-up e di tutti i nuovi sistemi.

After only one race however, any analysis of the real balance of power between the teams must be conducted carefully. The teams are still in the process of understanding the cars, collecting data, correlating simulator and track performance and the track and progressively optimizing  set-ups and all the new systems.

One thing seems clear however: the strength of the Mercedes. The new Mercedes W17 has shown its competitiveness, not just in terms of the power unit, but also in terms of aerodynamic efficiency, the strategic management of the race and the overall balance of the chassis.

In Melbourne, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli demonstrated an extremely consistent race pace, managing to complete 47 laps on the same set of tyres. This highlights not just the effectiveness of their management of the tyres, but also the stability of the chassis throughout the different stages of stints, which contributed decisively to the first one-two finish of the season by the team from Brackley.

The weekend in China will add further complexity from the technical and operational points of view. In fact, the Sprint format drastically reduces the time available for preparing the car: teams and drivers will have only one session of free practice before entering the regime of parc fermé. This means that most of the choices of the asset will have to be made based on the data from the simulations and the analyses carried out ahead the weekend.

The Sprint race, to cover 19 laps, will also offer a different technical scenario compared to the traditional race. The reduced fuel load will affect the behaviour of the racing car, impact on the balance, the thermal management of the tyres and the strategies for using the tyres.

On the tyre front, Pirelli will bring to Shanghai the C2, C3 and C4 compounds. This is a different choice compared to the one made for the opening race, but in line with the specifications used in the last few rounds held on the Chinese circuit since it returned to the world championship calendar.

In the opening phase of the season characterized by many unknown technical factors and a balance that is still to be defined, it will be essential for all the teams to proceed methodically, collecting data and progressively developing the cars.

There are still many variables, and the championship has only just begun.

— Gian Carlo Minardi

MINARDI: “2026 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, RELIABILITY AND FUEL DECISIVE IN THE FIRST RACES”

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We are approaching the first round of the 2026 World Championship with a lot of curiosity, but also with a lot of unknown factors and some inevitable uncertainties. In my opinion, whoever manages to take advantage of reliability in the first few races will be able to build an important lead for the whole season. In fact, beyond pure performance, it will be reliability and the quality of fuel adopted that will be the two key factors in the first phase of the new cycle. The engine will be the protagonist and there could be significant differences in terms of horsepower between one fuel and another.

Between Barcelona and Bahrein, we saw days of testing that were less complicated than I expected, even if we do not know precisely what was tested and in what way. For this very reason, it is impossible to venture a ladder of the forces in the field. Only Melbourne will be able to give us a real snapshot of the situation.  However, it is obvious that Aston Martin is currently lagging behind and struggling compared to the others.

As was predictable, with such a radical change of regulations the engineers have chosen very different solutions. We will see who has interpreted the regulations best. In contexts such as this, the balances established up until last season ca be completely overturned, anything really can happen.

Among the variables in the race, we must also consider the mistakes by drivers, who are called upon to adapt to a new style of driving. Even we viewers will have to get used to new scenarios which are not easy to interpret and decide. But, as with any new development, patience is needed before making any definitive judgments.

Before our next appointment next week, I would like to welcome Mario Isola as the Managing Director of ACI Sport. I was personally involved in this choice, and I am proud of the arrival of such an important figure who represents a further step forward in the development of Italian motor racing, I am delighted to accompany this phase of transition from 2 January to 30 June  ahead of the official inauguration on July 1.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | QATAR GP, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MCLAREN, WHAT A MISTAKE!!”

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Max Versappen relaunched his bid for the title with a clear win in Qatar. This win, together with the second place and fourth place by Piastri and Norris, allows the Dutchman to reduce the gap between him from the Briton to twelve points. It was a particularly intense weekend characterized by complex strategies focussed on the management of the tyres, a decisive factor on Losail’s asphalt.

Despite its evident superiority in qualifying, in the Sprint Race and in the race pace, McLaren compromised a potentially decisive result due to a mistake under the safety car. A mistake that weighed heavily on the result, especially when compared to the solid and impeccable performance offered by Verstappen and a Red Bull team that was once again impeccable in its management of the strategies.

In a championship decided on the edge of hundredths of a second, every mistake risks having a significant impact. McLaren, buoyed by having won the Constructors’ title, seems keen to give its drivers plenty of freedom in the fight for the World Championship. It is a commendable sporting philosophy but one that could prove costly. Norris will go to Abu Dhani with a favourable margin, but the feeling is that the composure and the lucidity shown by the team led by Laurent Mekies do not guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep

Kimi Antonelli, the author of another convincing performance also deserves a mention. The young driver from Bologna was penalized during the first spit-stop, when almost all the group except McLaren and Ocon stopped at the same time, forcing him to slow down to let several cars pass, including Sainz, who finished third. However, Antonelli managed to recover, despite losing fourth place to Norris in the end due to a small mistake. Two points that could prove costly in the overall standings, but they will not affect the Italian driver’s excellent end of the season.

It was a weekend of celebration for Italian Motorsport also thanks to the Formula 2 title won by Fornaroli. For the second consecutive year a rookie took out the championship, following last year’s win in F3, a result that confirms the talent of young Italian drivers and the work carried out by the Federation.

The weekend in Losail also mathematically confirmed Ferrari’s fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship, a position that accurately reflects the car’s performance throughout the season.

Now all eyes turn to Abu Dahbi where the new world champion will be crowned in a week’s time, The battle between Norris (408 points), Verstappen (396) and Piastri (392) is more open than ever. And it is not impossible that the third driver could come between the two rivals.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | QATAR GP, MINARDI “A MENTAL BATTLE BETWEEN NORRIS-VERSTAPPE AND PIASTRI”

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From the desert of Las Vegas to that of Doha for the twenty third and penultimate round of the World Championship. After the results in Nevada, Max Verstappen has joined the battle for the title, alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the British driver leading the trio by 24 points. That is certainly not a small margin, but it is a not huge one either, considering that there are still two GPs and a sprint race to go.

The sixth and last Spring Race will take place in Qatar. This means that the drivers and teams will have only one session of free practice available to get to grips with the tyres and to prepare the racing cars for qualifying and the Sprint itself. Something to also bear in mind is that the grip levels of the track change significantly and can alter the behaviour of the cars.

This weekend the tyres will play an even more important role. Pirelli has brought the hardest compounds, C1, C2 and C3, and has also stipulated that each set cannot cover more than 25 laps of the Losail circuit. This is limit is calculated across all the sessions, including any laps under neutralization. This scenario paves the way for strategies with at least two stops but could even push some teams to consider three.

The reason is linked to the characteristics of the track. Losail is a circuit full of medium-fast corners and long wide curves that put a lot of strain on the front right tyre in particular, as well as a very long main straight that requires an aerodynamic compromise that is anything but simple. The management of the traffic will be a key factor because, despite the DRS, overtaking cannot be taken for granted; starting at the front in qualifying will be crucial to putting together a solid weekend.

Complicating all this even further will be the weather: intense heat, high humidity and a physical exertion comparable to that of the Singapore GP. In the past, Qatar has already shown that it is an extreme race with drivers severely tested by dehydration and heat stress. Therefore, physical fitness will be a crucial variable in both the Sprint Race and the long race.

The final element that should not be underestimated is the possible entry of the safety car, which is always a threat on a circuit that punishes mistakes and with such delicate strategies, could shake things up at any moment.

So, mental focus will also be decisive, especially for the top three in the World Championship. Verstappen, buoyed by his latest wins and comeback; Norris called upon to defend his lead with composure and Piastri who will try to overcome his difficult period.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | BRAZILIAN GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI “SEVERAL TEAMS COULD PAY PENALTIES HERE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE FINAL RACES”

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We have come to the fourth last round of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix. Lando Norris leads the ladder by just one point from Oscar Piastri. We expect a thrilling end to the season in which even the penalties for the replacement of components will come into play. Some more, some less, everyone is at risk of penalties.

Keep your eyes on McLaren. With the Sprint Race scheduled for this weekend, there are a lot of points up for grabs, and the team may be called upon to make important strategic decisions. Verstappen is far away but they cannot afford any missteps.

Brazil is a track that has given us a few surprises in recent years. It is not a very long track, little more than four kilometres, but there are two or three points where overtaking is possible. For this reason, some teams. – such as Ferrari – may decide to incur an eventual penalties ahead of the final races. Compared to its direct rivals, if they replace the engine, they will incur a lighter penalty, having already had previous penalties. There has been some progress in terms of results, but not yet in terms of the gaps.

The weather could be an important variable, and on the tyre front Pirelli will bring the C2-C3-C4 compounds. At Interlagos, with its fast bends and the continual changes of direction, tyre wear could be an important factor. Last year, the new surface caused a few problems with bumps: we will see if they have been resolved.

There is no lack of points for watching a good weekend, starting with the Sprint Race.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | MEXICAN GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “IS MCLAREN READY TO DEFINE ITS INTERNAL STRATEGIES?”

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We are at the threshold of the Mexican Grand Prix. Making predictions is increasingly complicated, as we saw last week in Austin, with a drastic change in performance by some teams – see Ferrari – between the Sprint Race and the GP. Even the participants cannot explain this type of leap, although they still finished the Sunday with a third and a fourth place.

These racing cars are certainly sensitive to changes, and any small thing is enough to go from hero to zero. We saw this with Williams and Sauber. On the other hand, the situation is different in McLaren; the lack of data gathered during the Sprint Race had negative repercussions on the race result as well.

I am still of the opinion that the team to beat is McLaren, even if the calm atmosphere in Red Bull means that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri cannot sleep soundly, especially with Max Verstappen in such splendid form and doing practically whatever he wants.

The Mexican GP is run at high altitude and, as we know, this affects the performance of the power unit. This should therefore benefit the Mercedes unit. We are now five races from the end of the championship, and I think this could be the decisive race for defining McLaren’s strategies. There are then two Sprint races in four weeks. Verstappen is far behind and, together with Russell, could tip the balance, but they still have to be careful, as history teaches us.

As in Austin, even in Mexico Pirelli will adopt a leap of compounds, bringing C2 (hard), C4 (medium) and C5 (soft). The intention is that of livening up the race with more pit stops. We will wait and see.

Also keep an eye on the battle between Racing Bulls and Aston Martin for sixth place in the constructors’ championship, with the two teams separated by just three points-

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP USA, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MERCEDES’ SUSPENSION IS STARTING TO PAY OFF”

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Formula 1 arrives in Austin, Texas, with the constructors’ title already in McLaren’s hands. The battle for the title between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris is still open, with the team repeating its intention to allow the two drivers to battle it out and race freely.

Despite the last three grands prix having been a little more complicated for the world champion team, even though they were always close, McLaren remains the benchmark car to beat, with Mercedes a close second. I have the impression that the team led by Toto Wolff has found the right formula to make the new suspension work in the best possible way. This was confirmed just two weeks ago in Singapore where Russell winning in hot and humid conditions. Therefore, they could be the arbiters of this championship, together with Max Verstappen.

On the tyre front, for the second time in the season, Pirelli will bring three non-consecutive compounds to the track. After Spa-Francorchamps, it will once again propose the combination with C1 as the Hard, C3 as the Medium and C4 as the Soft with the aim of trying to diversify the strategies.

The sprint race makes its return. This means that the drivers and teams will have only one session of free practice, followed by qualifying and the sprint race (18 laps at 7.00pm on Saturday).

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | SINGAPORE GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “VERSTAPPEN COULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP”

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McLaren’s in-house battle is ready to reignite on Singapore’s street circuit, with Max Verstapppen potentially tipping the scale in the world championship battle.  After Red Bull’s win in Baku, Piastri’s unfortunate exit from the track and Norris’ lost opportunity, the championship lands at a treacherous circuit which, as is the tradition, is raced at night. The weather conditions remain restrictive; about 30°C with a 70% humidity, factors that will put the drivers to the test.

The safety-car, almost always a key factor at Marina Bay, could influence the strategies in a race that often comes close to the two-hour limit. On the tyre front, Pirelli has chosen the softest range (C3-C4-C5). Qualifying will be crucial; historically, those starting in pole have a great chance to win.

McLaren remains the favourite, while Red Bull will need to score another strong result if it wants to keep the pressure on. For Verstappen, the 69-point gap is a huge hurdle, especially with two McLarens ahead in the title race, but the Dutchman could take on the role of the “deciding factor” in the world championship.

Behind them, the battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship continues, with the prancing horse coming from a difficult weekend in Baku. Also noteworthy is the growth of Williams which, with Sainz’s podium finish, has overtaken Racing Bulls in fifth place.

All the ingredients are there; Singapore is getting ready to offer a weekend of great entertainment.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | AZERBAIGIAN GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “WATCH OUT FOR MAX”

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From Monza to Baku, passing through Imola where we celebrated the 9th edition of the Historic Minardi Day with a new crowd record, – more than 20,000 – and more than 700 historic cars at the Imola Circuit.  For this reason, I would like to thank all the collectors who took part by taking extraordinary cars onto the track and the paddock, together with the enthusiasts and fans who, with their warmth, made this weekend memorable.

In particular, I was extremely pleased to see the involvement of the younger generations: once again many young people, both Italians and foreigners, explored the pits and admired cars that wrote the history of Motorsport.  The Acque Minerali and Tosa grandstands were also full, further enhancing the atmosphere. It was a record-breaking edition even on the social media: in the last month we generated a total of almost 2 million views between Instagram and Facebook.

Now, however, we fly to Azerbaijan, to a circuit that is decidedly different from Monza: the 6,003m of Baku wind through the old part of the city and the more modern parts. The two main straights: the one after turn 2 and pit straight, along the lakefront, which measures 2,2km – twice the length of Monza’s 1,100m – preceded by a section with bends to be taken at full throttle, which allows them to reach very high speeds. The highest speed registered by FIA remains the one set by Valtteri Bottas who reached 388km/hr. in 2016 with the Williams,

For the fourth time, Pirelli takes the softest compound available, the C6, alongside C5 and C4(hard), with the aim of livening up the race. Although the safety car never entered the track in the last round, it remains a variable, especially in the “Castle” section.

The teams must find the right compromise between the fast low-downforce part, and the driven part. Given what we saw in Monza, Verstappen could make the difference once again, even if McLaren is still the car to beat. Keep an eye on Mercedes: with the temperatures not expected to be very high, around 24-25°, the W16 could find itself in excellent conditions to “breathe” better thanks to the cooler air.

A Good GP to everyone.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | ITALIAN GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “AS WE WAIT FOR THE HISTORIC MINARDI DAY (13-14 SEPTEMBER), WE GO TO MONZA. I HOPE THAT HAMILTON HAS FORGOTTEN ZANDVOORT”

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A week away from the 9th edition of the Historic Minardi Day, to be held at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit, we move to Monza for the sixteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship.

The drivers and teams arrive at the Temple of Speed, a track that is decidedly different from the Dutch one, with about 80% of the lap at full throttle. This puts the reliability of the racing car to the test and, as we saw a week ago, can play a crucial role in the outcome of the race, including possible penalties for the replacement of components.

We await an electrifying weekend, especially in McLaren, with Norris determined to make up for the points lost at Zandvoort. Piastri currently heads the ladder with a lead of 34 points. They may seem a lot, but with the supremacy of the MCL39, they are still not enough to let him sleep soundly

Barring surprises, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull will fight it out for a place on the podium. So far, we have seen mixed performance by these three teams, making the fight for second place in the constructors’ championship particularly absorbing.

Just as interesting is the battle in the second half of the ladder: Aston Martin and Racing Bulls are separated by just two points, while Sauber and Haas are not far behind.

At Ferrari, we hope to see a revitalized Hamilton, capable of putting the difficulties in Zandvoort behind him. Despite the penalty of 5 places on the grid, Monza offers various opportunities to make up ground. But watch out for the first corner, it could hold some surprises.

At Monza Pirelli will conclude the celebrations for the reaching the milestone of 500 Grands prix, achieved at Zandvoort last weekend. The compounds chosen are C3 as the Hard, C4 as the Medium and C5 as the Soft., just like last year, when the circuit had just been resurfaced.

Gian Carlo Minardi