Bahrain session 2 – A dry run for Melbourne?

/in /by

Starting from tomorrow until Sunday March 2nd, teams and drivers will be at work again at the Sakhir-based circuit, for the last pre-season session. It will be the last session before the official start of the 2014 Formula 1 World Championship at the Melbourne-based circuit.

All teams will have to make a great effort and do a lot of work in order to identify and solve as many technical issues as possible.

Last week we saw how vulnerable cars are and how long it takes to repair them. That could cause troubles during race week ends. The Bahrain-4-day-session will be the last chance for teams to try to push the new power unit to the limit. No team has managed to get the most of all the 15000 rpm. available (the best teams were able to exploit 14.000 rpm.) and of the energy recovery systems. In the previous session, all the Renault-powered teams had to lap without using the KERS, in order to run as many laps as possible. Despite that, teams still had many problems. Helmut Marko admits difficulties “We still have to solve many complicated problems. We’re so behind with the work and each time we find out new issues.” Red Bull only managed to run 116 laps, Toro Rosso ran 139 laps and Lotus ran 111 laps. Only the Caterham of Kobayashi and the rookie driver Ericsson managed to run more than 200 laps, even though test times were not quick at all. The Japanese driver stated that his CT05 is currently slower than a GP2 car.

As Gian Carlo Minardi pointed out, the problem of the 107% rule arises “To date, 40% of the cars would have not been qualified because their lap time exceeded the 107% rule limit set on Nico Rosberg’s benchmark time. As a matter of fact, cars have troubles running a few laps in a row or, they have to disable the energy recovery systems (which is not easy to do), in order to run as many km as possible but, as a result, they are less performing. If we don’t want starting grid to be empty, I think it would be necessary to revise the 107% rule, without ruling it out”, says the Faenza born manager.

The situation is the same as last week, with Mercedes acting as a pacesetter as the team and its 3 partners McLaren, Williams and Force India managed combined total of more than 1000 laps. Among the Merc fellow teams, the Frank William’s team was the most impressive, since they managed to complete 318 laps over three days of testing – the first day the tem was stuck in the pit because of some technical issues, while the W05 of Nico Rosberg and Hamilton completed 70-80 laps per session, combining total of 315 laps. The Ferrari Scuderia’s F14-T, despite some technical issue, managed to combine 287 laps with Alonso and Raikkonen, gathering many useful data, as the Scuderia’s technical director James Allison stated “When we headed to Sakhir we had a lot of things to test. We wanted to streamline test time and get ready for the Australian round as best as we can. I have to say that, except for the third day, we achieved our goal”. Sauber and Marussia had several problems.

As it has been pointed out many times, due to the new cars’ complexity, rectification span is getting longer and longer. Now it takes 4 hours to get the gearbox replaced, while last year it took only one hour and it takes 7 hours to replace the power unit “Let’s think about what it might happen if some problems occur before the qualifying session. Some cars may not be ready for the qualifying turn”, highlights Minardi.

Reliability issues could affect also race results, since the safety car would be deployed many times, as the Faenza-born former constructor explained, “Intervention times to get a car away from the track may get longer and longer, since race commissioners will have to wait for the lights to switch on before getting into action. As a result, I expect the safety car to be deployed many times.”

Which scenario would be expected with the 107% rule?

/in /by

On Thursday 27th Formula 1 will go back to the Sakhir circuit, where the last session of pre-season test will take place until March 2nd – before the Australian GP, which is scheduled for March 16th, takes place.

Four days and three weeks before the first event of the season takes place, teams seem to still have many problems to face. In this last pre-season session teams will have to get their cars prepared for racing, besides moving forward with the cars development, however today a key factor is still missing: how about the 107%? “I don’t want to pour salt into a wound, but there are still many unclear points, especially in light of what we saw in Bahrain last week”, says Gian Carlo Minardi on his website www.minardi.it.

“Apart from having reliability issues, the 107% policy limit hasn’t been duly taken into account. If we take a look at the 4-day-session’s standings and timesheets, we realize that only 14 cars would have been qualified, if we compare the test times they recorded with Nico Rosberg’s best time”, continues the manager from Faenza.

So, today, 40% of the cars wouldn’t be qualified “Besides having reliability-related issues, the 107% rule should have been also taken into consideration. It’s true that exceptions exist (as we saw in the past seasons),however, it is necessary to record a time within the 107% rule, at least in free practice, to qualify….Today cars have difficulty running a few laps in a row, or they have to turn off the energy recovery systems (which is not easy to do) in order to run as many kilometres as possible, but, as a consequence of that, they become less performing. This season, using the KERS means to have a 4-second-advantage on a single lap, which is equal to 90 HP.” So the safety car could play a key role “I expect the safety car to be deployed very often, since its deployment is directly linked to the rescue crew intervention time. We don’t have to forget that the rescue crew cannot get into action before the green light, which is installed on top of each car, switches on. When the green light is switched on, the rescue crew can get into action and take a car away from the track. This could make intervention time much longer and, as a consequence, the safety car would be deployed more often.”

After the last test session in Bahrain, a new briefing will be scheduled to define regulations “After the last test session a briefing would be arranged to discuss the madness of the double-point rule for the season finale. At this point I think it’s necessary to revise the 107% rule, without ruling it out”, ends Minardi “I’d like to point out that this rule should only be revised, not ruled out because it would be difficult for race commissioners to deal with cars which have a huge technical gap between each other.”

Bahrain test – THE POINT…by Gian Carlo Minardi

/in /by

The Bahrain test session can be considered as the first real test session, since at Jerez teams did only a shakedown test. Unfortunately, because of the new “off the wall” regulations, teams have only one more test session to be held in one week.

Therefore teams have to make a great effort to get their cars ready for the first three/four GP to be held on the other side of the world. As expected, teams had to deal with some reliability-related issues, which might also affect the first F.1 events.

Mercedes demonstrated to be more closely knitted to his partners than any other team. The Technical choices taken by the German supplier (more than 1140 laps), were rewarded by the laps gained by Mercedes (315 laps), McLaren (299 laps), Williams (318), Force India (212). Ferrari’s performance as a team was as good as the one displayed by the Mercedes’ duo Rosberg-Hamilton, whilst the Italian team’s performance as engine supplier was less brilliant. Sauber had some chassis-related problems, while Marussia lacked in reliability and managed to complete only 26 laps. The Maranello-based team left Sakhir with 552 laps under its belt.

Among the three constructors, Renault turned out to be hard put once again. Even though they managed to run more laps than at Jerez, Lotus was practically non-existent, just like Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Only Caterham managed to gain a good number of miles (250 laps) even though test times were not quick at all. In order to run the highest number of laps, the Renault-powered teams didn’t use KERS, which, in terms of lap time, means to be 5/6 sec. slower.

Among uncertainty, the only certain thing is that with these cars, it takes much more time to solve technical issues. This makes us understand how complicated the systems installed are.

We’re entering a very intensive week, during which the last testing session will take place. Then the true Championship will start.

Teams will have to work hard to get to Melbourne as much prepared as possible, trying to limit problems.

In this moment it is so difficult to make further analysis, as we don’t know which set up was used by teams to test and what it was tested. So, I stop here, for now

The Made in Italy is reviving

/in /by

The new racing season will shortly start and, besides Formula 1, even preparatory Championships are completing their driver line-up. Like it was in 2013, the new year started in a positive way for the three-coloured flag, in fact, although our country is in a recession which makes everything more complicated, we see many Italian drivers taking part in the most important Championships on an international scale.

Gimmy Bruni, Davide Rigon, Luca Ghiotto, Antonio Fuoco, Raffaele Marciello, Riccardo Agostini and Antonio Giovinazzi are only a few drivers who will try to make the national anthem play in the most important circuits in different racing series such as FIA WEC, GP2, F.3 Euroseries “Go-karting and Formulas are experiencing a rearrangement phase. As ACI-CSAI and Federal School, we’re reaping the benefits of 6/7 years of work and Italy is regaining reliability even on a political scale, thanks to the President Mr. Sticchi Damiani”, says Gian Carlo Minardi on the website www.minardi.it. “The goal is to go back to the magnificence of the ‘80s. Today we have two first drivers such as Bruni and Rigon who are ready to defend the Italian flag in the FIA WEC Championship, driving the AF Corse’s Ferrari; Raffaele Marciello will take part in the GP2 Championship alongside Racing Engineering, Luca Ghiotto is ready to take the next big step alongside Draco in the WSR 3.5 Championship and the trio Fuoco-Agostini-Giovinazzi will compete in the European F.3.”, says also the Faenza-born manager.

Italy will be the first country to carry out the Formula 4 project, which was strongly supported by FIA and FIA’s President Mr. Jean Todt. The new Formula 4 car is completely made in Italy: the chassis is made by Tatuus, the engine is supplied by FIAT, and compounds are made by PIRELLI. “We’re very proud to launch the first F.4 Championship, where a car completely made in Italy will be raced. All companies who resulted eligible to become official suppliers are Italian. Only the gearbox comes from France as will of the International Federation. The first deliveries will be made in April and collective testing is scheduled for May at the circuits of Vallelunga and Adria.” Good results come also from the number of cars reserved for the Championship “More than 20 cars have been reserved, so far and many teams who are already engaged in other Championships will join this competition. There’s a strong will to prepare young drivers for competing in different racing scenarios, that is to say both in covered-wheel and in open-wheel Championships.”

A good sign of this rebirth comes also from the FIAT Group, who returns to car racing “This is a positive sign, for sure. In the’70s – ‘80s the Turin-based automaker was very active in the world of motorsport”, ends Minardi “Drivers coming from preparatory open-wheel Championships were secured a professional racing career thanks to the FIAT’s engagement into several racing categories, which is something that the group hasn’t done over the past few years. This may help motorsport get back to the magnificence of past times.”

Green lights on the Bahrain pre-season testing session

/in /by

Formula 1 is ready to turn its engines on for the second session of pre-season testing. The Circus will head to Bahrain where weather is expected to be warmer than in the first session and we’ll see the Lotus E22, driven by Grosjean and Maldonado, making its debut on the Arabic track. The Frenchman will be the first to drive the car and he will give way to his new teammate for the last two days (Friday and Saturday).

All eyes will be on the V6 Renault engine and on Red Bull, who started a troublesome season, completing only 21 laps. The reigning World Champion will have to do an intensive work in Bahrain, after working hard in the team’s factory. The first driver to get behind the wheel of the new car, designed by Adrian Newey, on the two first test days will be Sebastian Vettel, who following will give way to his partner Daniel Ricciardo. The French engine manufacturer will rely on all data gained by his partners to get prepared to debut in Melbourne.

Mercedes will try to maintain the good performance level displayed on the Spanish track, with Hamilton and Rosberg ready to make a relay race behind the wheel of the new W05. The two drivers will take turns making the car and engine development program progress. After a solid start in Spain, where Alonso and Raikkonen managed to run more than 1000 km, the Maranello-based team will go ahead with the fine tuning of the new F14-T, bringing some important upgrades to the Arabic track. After winning two constructors’ Championships, one drivers’ championship and taking 39 wins, getting 122 podium finish, 29 pole positions and scoring 48 best laps when it was powered by the 056 8 cylinders-2.4-liter aspirated engine (from 2006 to 2013), the F14-T will be turbocharged by the new-born 059/3 power unit. It will be a solid re-start for the Italian team, who completed more than 400 laps thanks to the contribution of the partners Marussia and Sauber, demonstrating a good level of reliability.

Eyes locked on the Mercedes-powered Williams driven by Massa and Bottas who will try to get redemption after experiencing a troublesome 2013. On the last day of testing at Jerez, the English team delivered the best performance, leaving a positive mark. The team will still bring a hybrid-dark-blue livery to the second pre-season session in Bahrain, before officially announcing the partnership with Martini Racing. The new livery – white with the traditional blue and red stripes which made the Turin-based company well-known in the world of car racing – will be unveiled on the occasion of the third and last pre-season test session to be held in Bharain from February 27th to March 2nd.

By McLaren, Kevin Magnussen will be the first to bring the new MP4-29 to the Arabic track, his teammate Button will wrap up the session. At Jerez Magnussen drew attention on himself by setting the best chrono on the third day of the first session. Sauber has announced his cooperation with Simona De Silvestro. The goal is to allow the Swiss driver who is currently engaged in the Indycar series to get the Superlicenza. De Silvestro will join the two test drivers Giedo Van Der Garde (serving as a reserve driver) and Sergey Sirotkin.

Formula 1 heads to Bahrain between confirmations and assumptions

/in /by

One month ahead of the first Australian GP and after the first pre-season test at Jerez, we’re witnessing many changes of technicians and teams, who, concerned about the engine issues occurred during the first session, are taking their first measures for the 2015 season. These changes are very similar to the ones occurring in football, where, during the pre-season phase, it can happen that some football coaches are relieved and some teams have to resort to the football market to replace some vacancies.

Despite Renault, Red Bull and Toro Rosso are putting a lot of effort into injecting calm and tranquillity to the audience by issuing comforting press releases and giving reassuring interviews, the situation seems to be more complicated than expected and it’s not easy to solve it. It is rumoured that Red Bull are thinking about changing their engine supplier in 2015 and Toro Rosso changed their Technical Director for the sixth/seventh time in their history. As far as engine is concerned, according to some information coming from abroad, Renault is trying to hire technicians beyond the transalpine borders (without success). This has never happened before, as the French company has always tried to protect its technology. News like that fuel some doubts about possible engine structural issues, which seem to be not so easy to solve over the short term. Some manufacturers, who are currently not engaged in the F1 Championship, have a personal unit already made and are taking into account the possibility to join the top series, even if they’re having some troubles finding an important partner to go into partnership with, unless they are capable to exploit Renault’s current failure. Obviously I hope to be belied in few weeks, during the second pre-season test session in Bahrain, where teams and engine manufactures will bring their technical amendments.

This is a very messy moment for Formula 1.

These days we’re hearing more and more about the Salary Cap, whose amount was set to 200 million dollars. Currently, only three or four teams exceed this cap, whilst all other teams’ financial situation is so far from that figure and all the troubles they have to deal with are plain for all to see. Maybe these topics are discussed to divert people’s attention from Formula 1 real problems. As we pointed out in the past (and it’s now also confirmed by some eminent people acting in the top series), F.1 has to be revised in all its aspects. It’s not acceptable to see some F1 teams having three Team Principals instead of a single General Director; furthermore cars don’t have a single “reputed father” who handles the whole project. Currently, each team has a person in charge of mounting the engine, another one who is responsible for aerodynamics, a production manager, a person responsible for track management, an electronic area manager, etc…This way, it’s impossible to have a complete view of the project and, costs increase so much and resources are not well exploited, furthermore, the number of people employed exponentially increase. No doubt this decision is a consequence of a sector which is more and more developed from a technologic point of view, but maybe this is not the right way to follow. Before talking about Salary Cap, it is necessary to take a few steps backwards.

In the past days I wanted to draw attention on the on-track safety aspect and FIA’s technical system. I was very pleased to see that this problem was discussed by professionals who underlined crucial matters. FIA has not yet drawn up some guidelines regarding the behaviour to take in case of car recovery. Confirmation came from Mrs. Rossella Amadesi, the CEA Responsible for the racing team division. The Lions of the CEA racing team division are the best in the world, so this assures the Italian GP maker an added value and a high level of on-track safety, however I think it’s simply absurd that by mid-February, all the necessary information to guarantee on-track safety haven’t been communicated, yet.  Measures to guarantee safety could presuppose further costs arising from the need to provide circuits with new safety equipment to be used throughout the 2014 season, in addition to training classes.

All the above-mentioned was already stated by me when I raised some objections with respect to FIA’s new regulations. Those objections were taken up by the Engineer Mr. Cadringher– the FIA responsible for regulations in the ‘80s – on a renowed Italian motorsport review (Autosprint), where he agreed that the people in charge of drawing up regulations don’t have a global vision of the situation. That being said, we’re ready to move to Bahrain and see if those teams who had some technical issues at Jerez, will demonstrate to have taken measures to solve them. We’ll also see if Mercedes will confirm the same reliability and competitiveness showcased at Jerez and if Ferrari, whose performance level was considered by the Maranello-based team as good as expected, will give positive sign for the forthcoming season.

Gian Carlo Minardi “Safety comes first”

/in /by

New Formula 1 regulations continue to cause controversy. At the end of the first Jerez testing day, Gian Carlo Minardi focussed on the danger of cars’ new noses, especially in case of side collision or, even worse, in case of rear-ending. This theory was also confirmed by engineers and technicians the likes of Adrian Newey and Gabriele Tredozi.

In these days, Red Bull’s bright engineer talked about safety linked to new noses and the positioning of new batteries. But the Manager from Faenza would like to take a 360 degree view of new dangers “In comparison with 1994, the year one of the world’s most gifted drivers ever passed away, Formula 1 safety regulations changed so much. How about Formula 1 safety today? In these days I heard people talking about new turbo engines and reliability, only Newey talked about safety. What I’d like to understand is whether everything is under control and I’d like to hear that from FIA.  Formula 1 introduced many far-reaching changes, which can turn to be dangerous. It’s the case of new batteries which, in case of overheating, can set off unexpected blazes”, says Minardi on the website www.minardi.it. “Some led lights have been installed onto cars (red, yellow, green) so that, in case of danger, mechanics and technicians are warned and they can start working on fixing problems. Drivers were told that, in case of danger, they have to jump off the car and avoid touching the car’s bodywork, but, what about track commissioners? Were they duly trained? I heard that teams’ mechanics attended training courses on safety and teams can make use of self-certifications each engine constructor have drawn up for his clients. I think FIA should draw up an official register for teams and track commissioners.”

We don’t have to forget that in case of accident or breakdown, track commissioners are the first to intervene “Some circuits host International competitions only once a year. Are track commissioners well trained? Do they know how to behave? Do they know what kind of led light allows them to intervene on the car? I ask these questions on a very important matter such as work safety, as an enthusiast not a technician. I heard that circuits haven’t been given any information about that as well as any official register….” ends the former constructor from Faenza “Not to mention also shipping problems. In the past, batteries, which were smaller and less technologic, were shipped inside bespoke boxes, now they’ll have to be put inside special boxes both in the case of air way and roadway shipping”, that goes to the detriment of expense reduction.

Jerez testing – THE POINT…by Gian Carlo Minardi

/in /by

The Jerez four-day-testing session officially inaugurated the Formula 1 new era. The Spanish session has provided Ferrari with a fairly satisfied starting point and with the awareness the Italian squad has to fight against Mercedes who have a slight lead over them. Alonso stated he shares telemetry with his teammate Kimi and, to be honest, I don’t find it hard to believe. Ferrari is the only squad to be able to manage two first drivers, providing both with the same technical material. When performance levels will be evaluated, a true feeling of competitiveness will arise, but only time trials will set the strategies.

It’s only the beginning, so it wouldn’t be fair to “deliver any ruling”. It will be interesting to see cars’ behaviour in Bahrein, where temperatures will be higher, even if I think that the Stuttgart based manufacturer worked side by side with his four partners. They gathered many data thanks to the miles Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and Force India gained throughout the testing session.  The same was for the Maranello based squad, despite the problems Sauber and Marussia had.

Considering the close relationship between Renault and Lotus, the former would have missed the latter so much at Jerez. Starting from next session, there could be a better information exchange to go to the benefit of Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso, even if, according to White’s statement, there is quite a wide difference between indoor and on-track testing. The World Champion started on the wrong foot and now they have to give evidence proof of their strength. It’s in moments like this that a team should prove its virtue.

As far as engines are concerned, after Jerez testing session, some debriefs were held to discuss technical issues. Many car companies had the opportunity to attend the first session and evaluate a possible entry into the top tier Championship.

The Sakhir testing won’t give a clear idea on the whole situation, so evaluations can be made only after the first races. Now Formula 1 cars run more slowly than GP2, so only the most skilled teams in car handling and consumption will be successful. This has to make us think a lot, as this could be less attractive for race enthusiasts. We don’t have to forget that Formula 1 is the highest expression of motorsport.

I’m pleased to know that Williams will soon announce their partnership with one of the brands that has always made the history of motorsport. This partnership represents a great step forward not only for a team who had a troublesome 2013 season, but also for the whole F1 framework. In 1991, the year my M191 was powered by the Maranello-based company’s engine, me too I was very close to conclude an agreement with that company, but unfortunately we didn’t seal the deal.

Davide Rigon renews the contract with Ferrari and gets ready to compete in the FIA WEC

/in /by

After running a successful 2013 season behind the wheel of the Ferrari Italia 458 GT in the Blancpain Endurance Series Championship, International GT Open and FIA WEC and taking part in the rookie testing at the wheel of the F138 at Silverstone, Davide Rigon has seen his professional relationship with the Scuderia Ferrari being extended.

The Italian driver will be at the squad’s disposal also for the 2014 and 2015 season, continuing to cooperate with the Scuderia as a test driver. His cooperation started in 2011. Apart from carrying out an intensive programme at the F1 simulator, Davide will also take part in the single-seater development testing sessions. Simultaneously to the contract renewal with the Scuderia Ferrari, he will also take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The Italian driver, who is managed by the Giovanni Minardi’s Minardi Management, will drive the three-world title winner Ferrari Italia 458 GT, alongside the Amato Ferrari AF Corse. His goal is to be confirmed as a top driver at a worldwide level.

After winning in Shanghai, finishing second in Bahrein and Sao Paulo and finishing fourth in Fuji, this year Davide Rigon will make his debut in the Endurance racing’ s most renowned race: the 24 hours of Le Mans, which is scheduled for the week end of June 14th-15th.

In the 2014 season Rigon will race at eight of the motorsport’ s most renowned venues. The first race is scheduled for April 20th at the historical track of Silverstone and it will be followed by the 24 hours to be raced at the spectacular Spa-Francorchamps circuit (May 3rd). On September 20th the Championship will move to America and afterwards to Japan (October 12th), China (November 2nd), Bahrein (November 15th) and Interlagos, Brazil (November 30th), where the final race will be run.

On January 25th/26th Davide opened his racing season by taking part in the 24 hours of Daytona, driving the Ferrari 458 GT.

“My dream is coming true day by day. The Scuderia Ferrari is my second family and it’s a great satisfaction to have the opportunity to cooperate with the world’s most important and famous team. We carried out a well-defined programme over the last seasons, so, having the opportunity to follow up on that, it’s really exciting. New technological challenges are expected for the future and we’re ready to face them with determination. I am grateful to the President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, to the Team Principal Stefano Domenicali and to the Minardi Management’s staff, who has been by my side for 10 years”, says an excited Davide Rigon on the website www.minardi.it.

“As far as GT racing is concerned, I can’t wait to compete in the first race. To have the opportunity to compete in the FIA WEC World Championship is a great achievement and doing that behind the wheel of the reigning champion Ferrari 458 is even a more special experience. The 24 hours of Le Mans will be the cherry on top”, says also the Italian driver, “Daytona was a great experience. Thanks to Ferrari, I had the opportunity to learn a lot about this kind of competitions”, ends Rigon, “I felt comfortable behind the wheel of the 458 and I’m satisfied with my stint. Although there were more than 60 cars on the track, I made no mistakes.”

“I want to praise Davide for the results he achieved last year, thanks to which he deserved to enjoy the loyalty of the Scuderia Ferrari again. As Minardi Management, we’ve consistently worked hard throughout the season in order to reach the goals for the 2014 season. I’m sure Davide and Ferrari can achieve important goals even in a challenging season such as the upcoming one. It will be a very demanding season for Davide , especially if we consider that F1 regulations were changed a lot and he is engaged in the GT Championship”, says the manager Giovanni Minardi, “now he’s going to compete in the FIA WEC Championship. This year he will take part in the Championship from the very first event. Our goal was to make him shift from GT3 to GT2 this season and, as Minardi Management, we’re very pleased to have achieved it. It will be amazing to take part in the 24 hours of Le Mans”, ends the manager from Faenza.