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.

Belgian GP – THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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An amazing Formula 1 Grand Prix is filed, with its important and historic circuit, Spa-Francorchamps; after the devastating domain marked Mercedes in qualifying, it re-opened the games with the third success of Ricciardo, before Rosberg and Bottas.

It will be a Grand Prix that will have developments in the motor-homes, where important moves are expected. The contact in the second lap between Rosberg and Hamilton will get talked about in the next few days, although I don’t think that it was voluntary. Certainly, that are contacts which should not take place in the second lap. Nico tried to brake. Moreover, let’s not forget that Mercedes has always said to leave free to fight its pilots. With regards to Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo has not only achieved the third success of the season, but he has leaved behind the teammate of more than 50″, demonstrating that he has reached the necessary maturity to lead a team. The same RB has taken important steps, in spite of the engine’s handicap, proving to rely on good aerodynamics.

It was a lively race, in which all the teams had to change their strategies during the race, with duels, small contacts and strong actions to the limit, which are part of the sport nevertheless. Finally, we saw a beautiful race of Kimi Raikkonen, who fought as a champion needs to do, while regret still remain for what happened to Fernando Alonso and his penalty that costs him a possible fifth place.

As mentioned before, we expect incandescent hours. What we have seen today on the track may represent an important watershed in view of the upcoming season. Various hierarchies are consolidating within the teams: in Williams, the Finnish Bottas consolidates his leadership with the new podium, also proving to be an important player considering the market. He handled his car very well, with interesting overtakings. At McLaren’s, the young Magnussen still had his car before Jenson Button, who’s in his falling phase. Not for nothing, Honda is on the hunt for a top driver. At Red Bull’s, Ricciardo scored another stunning hit against the four-time world champion, while in Mercedes we heard strong releases of Toto Wolff and Lauda about Rosberg-Hamilton’s contact.

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

F.4 – Joao Vieira, 10 points at Magione to improve

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The fourth round of the Italian Championship F.4 powered by Abarth – held at the Magione Circuit, in Umbria – is over: for Joao Vieira it has not been a very positive weekend. The 10 points scored, thanks to the fifth place in Race-1, are a less rewarding result comparing to the expectations for this race, for the 16-year-old Brazilian driver.

Race-2 has in fact been compromised by a mistake and by the contact at the first corner, which put an end to the race.

In Race-3 the driver of Antonelli Motorsport had to settle for a thirteenth place, for a mistake at the first corner too. Therefore, the loss of more than ten positions at the first corner has inevitably affected the final result.

“It has been a weekend in which I have not achieved much in terms of results and points and I regret that, but it has been very important in terms of the experience I have gained”, Joao Vieira comments.

“It was an intense weekend, concentrated in just two days of competition and characterized by some inexperience mistakes which affected all three races. I am sure that Joao will build on this experience and the summer break will be useful to recharge our batteries, giving us the strength to finish the season improving our performance, in a finale that promises to be intense”, the Manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

After the summer break, the second part of the season will start on the demanding track “Piero Taruffi” in Vallelunga, on the weekend of September 13th and 14th, 2014.