F.1 – Spanish GP: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

First European weekend marked by Mercedes, thanks to Nico Rosberg, who was the best driver on track, managing to do well in all sessions, winning the pole and gaining the final victory. Hamilton has left only the satisfaction of the fastest lap, with a 1’28″270 at the 54th passage. It is an exceptional time, which proves all the potential of hi car. He hoped to recover the 13″ that still outdistanced him from Rosberg, who was racing between 1’29 and 1’30. Mercedes closed the weekend leaving behind Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari with 45″. Last year Daniel Ricciardo (third with RB) had suffered a gap of 49″.

Ferrari was able to start in front, thanks to the German driver, trying to optimize the new aerodynamic package, still showing, however, a heavy lead as Maurizio Arrivabene himself pointed out after the race. As there was no chance to try, it was fine to diversify the cars. Despite this fact, the gap between Seb and Kimi was quite reduced. Therefore, in the coming days during collective test sessions they will try to develop and review the work done.

The forces in field have complied with Mercedes-Ferrari-Williams to lead the group. Bottas did well, keeping Kimi behind his car and just for 1” Kimi failed to overtake his compatriot. Good race also for Red Bull, author of a troubled weekend – as recently happened –, Romain Grosjean, who gained important points for Lotus and Toro Rosso thanks to the ninth position of Carlos Sainz Jr. The team of Faenza made us dream during Qualifying, monopolizing the third row with the fifth lap of the Spanish driver and the sixth of Verstappen. Correct not to penalize the Spaniard for the contact with Daniil Kvyat, because it was a normal racing incident.

Then there was also ACI Team Italia event, which started with his bearers Luca Ghiotto and Raffaele Marciello busy in GP3 and GP2 with Trident team. There was immediately a pole position and a second placement in Race 1 for Ghiotto, who greet the opening weekend with third place in standings. Marciello suffered even though he did well in winning important points for the championship in the first European event. ACI Team Italia is only the latest step in a major project that follows and promotes the Italian drivers with the aim of bringing our bearer in Formula 1.

Gian Carlo Minardi