Kart – Karol Basz in Lonato, thinking to WSK

At the International South Garda Karting Circuit the traditional event of Winter Cup has takes place, now in its XX° edition. Among the over thirty drivers entered in KF category, the bearer of Kosmic Racing Team, Karol Basz, certainly could not missing.

For the native from Krakow, the appointment of Lonato has been the occasion for tuning the material, in view f the starting of the season next week, with a double appointment on the track of Adria for the “WSK Gold Cup“(from February 26th to March 1st) and the first round of the “WSK Super Master Series” (from 5th to 8th March). Once again Karol has Left the sign, especially with difficult conditions of wet track, signing with two wins of Qualifying rounds.

Despite the really changeable conditions, pace and speed were very good, but in Final I have been unfortunately touched by a rival who made me loose lots of positions, frustrating all the job done for Qualifying. However, Winter Cup has been an opportunity to test all the materials in view of upcoming weekends, that will certainly be better”, the driver managed by Minardi Management, Karol Basz, says.

If we just look at the final result, the weekend was not a happy week, but if we consider the detail, we can see once again that Karol stood out in wet conditions, gaining two wins in Qualifying rounds, closing the session with a fifth placement. Thanks to the changeable weather conditions, this has been the right occasion to test all the material before the starting of the real season, that will begin next week with the Gold Cup, and then WSK Master Series”, the supervisor of Minardi Kart, Alberto Tonti, analyzes.

Barcelona Winter Test – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

The second session of collective test ended. From Jerez Formula 1 moved in Barcelona, for the second four-days of work, in preparation for the first round of World Championship scheduled for the weekend of March 15th, in Melbourne.

After missing the initial round, Force India has also added to the group, thus completing the starting grid, waiting to discover the fate of Marussia and Caterham. It is useless we try and kid. We can sit here and write words on words, but to really understand the potential of the various teams is very difficult, almost impossible.

What is clear is that:

  • cars are under stress, as evidenced by the numerous red flags of these days
  • all the components are “close” to the limit. Analyzing the data, it appears once again that the kilometers done by most teams are many
  • a great difference on time result performances has emerged between “Soft” and “Medium” (also 2″) and therefore giving feedback without knowing the programs is difficult
  • considering the time results, cars look very compact (excluding McLaren, which hardly get with difficult 600 km).

However, rumors and well-informed people speaks about problems related to consumptions problems. On this front, Mercedes remains number 1, while there are difficulties at Ferrari and Renault.

With regards to the French constructor, there is a burning market behind the scenes. The Transalpines would plan their frontline comeback, with a 100% commitment as constructor and not only as Power-Unit supplier. They dread finding without clients in 2016. In the next days, there will be of course updates with more details.

Before leaving, I’d like to wish Fernando Alonso, victim of an accident this morning, all the best and to get well soon. I wish him to get quickly at the wheel of his McLaren-Honda. The CAT scan is negative.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Gian Carlo Minardi: "Formula 1 is short-sighted"

Formula 1 has again switched on its hybrid engines, giving rise to the second round of the Spanish collective test sessions. After Jerez, Circus moved to Barcelona. In addition to the intense work in the factories to improve new cars, the F1 Commission met in Geneva. The long awaited “white smoke” on the new 2016 regulations has not been reached. “It seems like to go back to the early ‘90s“, Gian Carlo Minardi said with a bit of irony. “Formula 1 will not ever change. Instead of proposing, it prefers the fastest and simple way, that’s to say to defer“.

In 1992, during an interview with MinardiNews, the monthly of the team from Faenza, Gian Carlo Minardi had already launched this alarm. In those years, F1 World Championship was struggling with the costs that were becoming unsustainable. Team Principal of the homonym team had focused his attention on important aspects aimed at reducing costs, but not to the technical limitations, because “… F1 must continue to be the ultimate expression of automotive technology”, he commented on MinardiNews in 1992. The areas on which should take action are very different “Limiting the number of cars to take to the track for each team. Getting just two, for example, it would save over the year on the construction of another car, with attached parts. Moreover, one mechanics team less to carry around the world …

To limit the number of engines to use for each Grand Prix. So, motorists would be forced to build more reliable engines, avoiding special units just for Qualifying. At the same time, to limit the tyres. In this way it would get to annual savings”, the manager from Faenza was analyzing, “of two/two and a half million dollars, which can also mean survival for a small team”. Reading about these proposals today it makes shudder, because these ideas have seen the light only in later years. “All things that have occurred after 8/9/10 years, to run after the escape of the great constructors and because of costs’ rising“. To date, however, things do not seem to change. “In Geneva, in a complicated moment for F1, none has taken decisions or tried to suggest important solutions. Everyone continues to further its one cause“, the former builder continues. “In 1992, the meetings were captained by the thirteen teams on the grid and ten exactly were represented by the same owner. The other three were Flavio Briatore for Benetton, Jean Todt for Ferrari and Peter Collins for Lotus, that is all characters who were very familiar with the circle”.

To hold court, it was the proposal to bring the engines to 1000 hp. “In order to change the image of the environment and attract the attention of fans, the core is not in increasing power. There’s need to bring back attention to the driver, even in the highest technology. Let me explain: why spend hours in the wind tunnel, generating aerodynamic appendages, to earn a few milliseconds at high costs and with a very limited public understanding? Wouldn’t it be better to have a clean and “simple” wing? Who is in front of TV or sitting in the stands, may not realize if a car is more powerful than 1 km/h or 1 tenth of a second. There are many other things to change, for example, making cars more appealing to the eye, or having hard-fought races, with actions of lead to the limit. Having wider tyres could be a nice choice too. Even the aesthetics would have earned“, Minardi concludes.

F.4 – Joao Vieira discovers Misano World Circuit

Joao Vieira’s new season is going on in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth. After two days of test at “Piero Taruffi” circuit, the Brazilian has signed his debut on Misano World Circuit, scene of the seventh and final round of the 2015 calendar in the Italian series.

At the wheel of the Tatuus F4 team of Antonelli Motorsport’s team, he discovered the secrets of 4226 meters in Santa Monica track, named after Marco Simoncelli, going on simultaneously with the development of the car, programmed together with Marco Antonelli staff.

This circuit is as beautiful as challenging. It was certainly a very interesting day, because I had the opportunity to know a track on which I had not ever run, being able to continue the development of the car both with the engineer and all the staff. It’s wonderful being back to race with regularity. I wait for May the 3rd with enthusiasm“, the driver of Minardi Management, Joao Vieira, says.

Today it has been a very successful day, in all aspects. Joao has had the opportunity to cover many kilometres on a track that he did not know yet, carrying on the program with his team. Despite the low temperatures, it is not raining, allowing us to complete the work. Now we go on, getting closer to the first race of Vallelunga“, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – At "Piero Taruffi" circuit Joao Vieira's 2015 has started

With two days of pre-season test session, at Vallelunga it has brought the curtain up on the new season of Joao Vieira. After four months from last appointment on the track of Adria, the Brazilian driver from Gurupi is back at the wheel of Tatuus F.4 of Antonelli Motorsport.

A comeback on track more than positive, inaugurated with the best chronometric results in both session, both in wet and dry conditions. A promising start for the driver managed by Minardi Management , who prepares its second season in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth. So many kilometers on Campagnano’s track, working on pace and set-up in view of the first appointment of the season, scheduled for May 3rd, right on the Capitoline circuit. 

It’s beautiful being back at the wheel after so long. Finally back to drive. There were two very intense and profitable days. I quickly found the pace and the feeling with track and technical team. After a year spent together, we know each other very well and this will make the job easier. We tried different set-up thanks to the rain that fell on Saturday”, Joao Vieira analyzes.

A promising start. Certainly, at this point of the season, time results are to be taken with a pinch of salt, but being on the top list is leading to hope for the best. That means that Joao has quickly found again his pace and the work of last season is bearing fruit. He has driven many kilometers as well as worked with the engineers on the development of the car”, the manager Giovanni Minardi says.

From beating metal sheets to rapid prototyping: the evolution of Formula 1

While days run by and we get quickly to the second session of collective winters test at the Spanish track of Barcelona, we have met Gian Carlo Minardi at his Headquarters in Faenza (and could not be elsewhere).

Although he had left behind the nr. 21 in Via Lazzaro Spallanzani (Faenza) – Headquarters of his Minardi Team since 1984 – with his going out from the Formula 1 World Championship, in the new office it continues to breathe the air of Formula 1, through the helmets of the many drivers who have worn the yellow-blue colours, through the cars’ wheels, the models and the Cosworth F1 – TJ 2005 10V engine, used as coffee table. The eye focuses on a photo album that we readily open. The mind begins to travel quickly back in time, as if we had the DeLorean of “Doc” Emmett Brown and Marty McFly. There are photographs that seem prehistoric times, but that are part of the history of Italian Formula 1 World Championship. Today we are used to hearing about the wind tunnel, the latest generation of simulators, able to reproduce reality, but it was not always this way. “Having a look to these photographs, you have the impression that a century has passed. But we talk about only 30 years ago“, Gian Carlo Minardi says.

Our travel begins from the years ’84 -’85. “It’s amazing how the world has changed, without realizing it, and the great strides made by technology. But let’s also ask questions. Is all this necessary? Let me explain. In the ‘80es to build two Formula 1 cars 22-23 people were employed. The technical office was a room of 26 square meters. Today, despite the help of technology, teams are more than 400 employees. Certainly cars and aerodynamics are more complex, but, still giving space to the evolution, I think we have reached incredible levels of staff“, the former Team Principal continues. In 1984, the chassis were built with composite materials, in particular Carbon fiber and Kevlar and the bodywork was created manually, as all the equipment for its realization (models), using materials for easily workable modeling. The required geometries were obtained manually. The difficulty was to do equal left and right sidepod. The cars were really handmade. It was also very frequent to produce parts or bodywork components, such as the closing element of dampers compartment, obtained in metal sheets molded by hand from the trusty Otello, historic Ferrari bodywork builder of the late ‘60s. So, until the early ’80s, each piece was handmade, before taking it in the wind tunnel“.

The next step was the introduction of computers and, subsequently, of 3D modeling. “In 1988 he made his entrance in the Headquaters the FTP machine with three-axis nurmerical control. Once made the drawing, you could see the car growing. This machine was followed by the “JOBS“, a machine tool with the control on five axes that allowed to realize the full shape of the body, shaping a block of resin through the mathematical calculation of the external surfaces, produced by CAD designers. This first model was used to obtain the mold on which realize the car chassis made of carbon.

The real revolution arrives in the 2000s, when it starts to use the machines for rapid prototyping, or stereolithography.

Through the solidification by laser of a liquid resin, you obtained very useful “finished” elements, especially for creating the components necessary for aerodynamic tests in the wind tunnel. Technology that has allowed to speed up the production of these components“.

Rapid prototyping comes in Faenza. “Minardi was among the first companies to have this technology, certainly the first in F1 to install a 3D Systems SLA® 7000, a step followed shortly by some top teams. Made the first study with Cad tecnologies, the first model on ½ scale was built, in order to go in the wind tunnel“.

Finally, a nice as unpublished gem. “Here is the model of the Minardi 2006, which unfortunately never saw the light. It is the last creature of Eng. Gabriele Tredozi. We were already ahead in the design of the body“, Gian Carlo Minardi says,  concluding the story,” when in September 2005 began negotiations with Red Bull for the transfer of ownership“.

A special thanks to Eng. Gabriele Tredozi for the invaluable technical support. On our official FaceBook , there is a wide gallery with more photos also of the Minardi PS06.

F.4 – Joao Vieira gets ready for the new season at “Piero Taruffi” circuit

The new season of Joao Vieira is ready to really getting going on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of February. On “Piero Taruffi” the Capitoline track in Vallelunga, the young Brazilian driver, whose career is managed by Minardi Management of Giovanni Minardi, will come back at the wheel of Antonelli Motorsport’s Tatuus F.4, to take part in the first two-days of pre-season test.

After his debut last season in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, Joao will continue working with the team of Marco Antonelli, taking advantage of the gained know-how, aiming for the tricolored title. The challenging circuit of Campagnano will inaugurate the first (of seven) round of the 2015 Championship. Subsequently, F.4 Circus will travel to Monza, Franciacorta, Mugello, Adria, Imola and Misano for the grand finale. Last year, along the 4,085 meters of the circuit, Joao stood out with amazing battles, resulting consistently among the fastest drivers and closing the three races with points.

“I’m really happy to be back behind the wheel, after four months from Adria race. Weather forecast rain and this will allow me to become familiar with the circuit in these conditions, working on the set-up. Last year I had to get to know all quickly: team, car and tracks. This year, instead, I will have the opportunity to make the most of all the work done in one year. The goal is to start immediately determined from the first race in Monza”, Joao Vieira says, ready to go to Vallelunga.

“I am glad the engines finally switch on. After the positive experience of 2014, I am sure that this year will be a successful for Joao and he can fight for the Championship win”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

Thoughts, from Jerez to Barcelona

In a week teams will switch on the engines, kicking off the second four-days of collective test. After the inauguration at Jerez circuit, Spain will be again the background for the tests of F1 Circus, from Thursday 19th to Sunday, February 22nd. This time will be Montmelò circuit to host the open wheels and it will be the fifth weekend (as well as the first European round) of 2015 Formula 1 World Championship.

After the first session, teams withdrew in their Headquarters, in order to analyze the collected data and program the new tests to be produced in the next session. A year of hybrid technology development has already given a return: the cars are 3″ faster than the first session, twelve months ago. The work within the teams is intense, having to maximize the potential of their new creatures. “Once back at home, team has to analyze thousands of data collected on track and compare them with those of wind tunnel and simulator. Another problem is that if the test program is not completed, it is necessary to plan s best as possible the next test that will inevitably become more complex”, Gian Carlo Minardi says on www.minardi.it. The manager from Faenza lived with his Minardi Team, for over twenty years, the phase of inauguration and pre-seasonal development. “In these fifteen days separating the first official launch from the second, the work will be developed in parallel with the introduction of new aerodynamic and improving overall car reliability, looking for appropriate solutions to the problems of reliability suffered in the past season. For example, Mercedes gave me the impression of having worked in this direction, by focusing the work on the electronics and mechanics of gearbox; the same crash gearbox suffered the third day seems apparently a result of a wanted stress test”, the former builder continues.

Tests are meticulously prepared events and teams go on track with programs defined and studied day by day. “It always follows a schedule of works, planned by the technical staff around a desk and considering both car and driver. Programs can be changed only if there are serious technical problems. This explains why each team seems to act without any interest in the competition with other rivals. In this phase, Team Principal has normally a marginal role. Therefore, it is easy to meet the Patrons of Teams around the circuit, to follow the work on track of theirs drivers. This happens especially in smaller teams, when they have in their ranks young or not very experienced drivers. Nice the image of Tost, Team Principal of Red Bull, who has focused on two rookies like Verstappen and Sainz Jr and was moving around Jerez track”.

Kart – Pole position and second place for Karol Basz at La Conca circuit

Second appointment at La Conca International Circuit for the WSK Championship Cup KF of karting. Like a week ago, among the major players, the bearer of the Kosmic Racing Team, Karol Basz, stood out, confirming his good feeling with track and new team.

Once again, weather was rainy in Muro Leccese and, in addition, there was an unknown factor and one more difficulty, due to players who have had to struggle with the slimy asphalt. Since the first sessions, the driver from Krakow brought his kart #201 in top placement up to pole position in Qualifying rounds, repeating the result of last week, thanks to two wins and a second place. In preparation for Pre-Final and Final, Karol finished in fourth place, outdistanced only just 174 milliseconds from the best lap, closing the weekend with two excellent second placements. Once again, the challenge will be decided on the edge of tenths. “The weekend went well, both in dry and rainy conditions and I was able to be very fast. Without the problem of last weekend, I could win the Championship Cup just like last year. I am very happy with the work with Kosmic Racing Team“, Karol Basz, Minardi driver Management, analyses.

The positive results of this weekend highlight the constancy of Karol. The two victories in the rain is a good business card, as well as two second places in the pre-final and final with dry track. Along with the great material of Kosmic, these prove to be a very interesting combination and something to check this season“, the supervisor of Minardi Kart, Alberto Tonti, says.

The next event is scheduled for the weekend of February 22nd in Lonato for the Winter Series.

Gian Carlo Minardi: “Stop Marussia? A mistake”

Turned off the engines, the spotlights are now focused on Strategy Group’s decisions: on the agenda, there was the exception to let Marussia (or Manor GP) be on track with 2014 car. At the time, however, unanimity is not reached. Some teams, principally Force India, would be opposed to its comeback.

For team’s revival, the administration relies on the income of commercial rights, but times is short. Despite not having participated in the last three 2014 Grand Prix, the team from Banbury ended the season in ninth place, before Caterham and Sauber, thanks to the two points won by Jules Bianchi in Monaco Grand Prix. The team most in need, Force India and Sauber, opposing against its comeback, point to share proceeds. “An absurd and unsportsmanlike behavior”, Gian Carlo Minardi comments on his website www.minardi.it. “Opposing, small teams hope to split up the amount due to Marussia, but perhaps they did not count to ten. Get rid of the two Cinderellas, Marussia and Caterham, it means shortening the grid. Consequently, last line would be occupied by teams with far greater budgets and ambitions (see Force India itself, Sauber and Lotus), with commercial consequences and in terms of image to be verified”, the manager from Faenza analyses.

This situation reminds me of the ’96-’97 seasons, when I defended very strongly the importance of small teams. I argued that without teams participating with great passion but limited means – hoping, who knows, to find the right funds for the future – in the last row there would inevitably finite big manufacturers. Situation that has repeatedly occurred in the 2000s The manufacturers are not waiting years to grow and achieve positive results; they have commercial and image objectives in the short and tangible consequence of the choices in those years, was that year after year we have lost almost all of them”, concludes Minardi. “I hope that it is not the final decision and that there is room for reasoning; Now as then, this sport needs also all those laboriously take part and hope to find the means for a more glorious sport future”.

Minardi-Alfa: that marriage, collapsed at the last

During the launch of the SF15-T, Maranello’s new car entrusted to the right foot of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for 2015 Formula 1 World Championship, the attention of media and fans has been also attracted by the appearance of “Alfa Romeo” logo on Prancing Horse’s body.

Immediately, the mind of Gian Carlo Minardi jumped back into the past, reaching 1983, when the manager from Faenza decided that his Minardi team was ready for the big jump in Formula 1World Championship. It was certainly a challenge for daredevils, considering the shocking levels that costs were reaching in those years. The streets of Minardi and Alfa crossed at the end of 1983, when Gian Carlo wrote a letter to President Massacesi, proposing to buy the F1 team for a total price of 1,800.000 Italian lire. Getting no response, he asked to be received personally. The constructor left the factories of the legendary Milan company with the promise of providing the eight-cylinder turbo.

On this basis, started the project of the M184, consisting of a body made of Avional, carbon fiber and kevlar layers, high side-pods to give space to the radiators and an original triplane spoiler with mono-support and side flaps. Beating heart had to be precisely the eight-cylinder of Alfa Romeo. It had to be, in fact. The adventure Minardi-Alfa was ready to start, but with a cold and unexpected shower, President Massacesi announced, out of the blue, that marriage could not to be done. Damage was done, but too late to stop and surrender. There was no choice but to modify the M184 using the naturally aspirated Ford-Cosworth engine.

Hoverwer, in 1985 began the great and amazing (allow us) adventure of Minardi Team in Formula 1 World Championship at the wheel with Pierluigi Martini, lasted then over twenty years, no less.

Jerez, Winter test – Tireless Mercedes

Ended the first four days of test at the Spanish track of Jerez, for teams it is time to come back to the headquarters, starting to analyse all data and prepare the next test, scheduled in Barcelona in a fortnight.

After analysing teams’ work together with Gian Carlo Minardi (read here), we try to sum up all driven kilometres, in order to assess newborn cars reliability. Mercedes World Champions are workaholic for session, gather up 2285 km (516 rounds). Nico Rosberg collects 308 rounds in two days, while the champion in office, Lewis Hamilton, “stops” to 208 rounds.

In second place, left behind with 634 km, we find Sauber (1651 km) with the brand-new pair Ericsson-Nasr. The Swedish driver gather 185 rounds, only three less than his team-mate. A good sign for Maranello, whereas the C34 uses engine of the Prancing Horse. The Brazilian also scores the third fastest time ever in the session.

Third placement for Toro Rosso, Renault-powered, with the younger pair of Circus formed by the rookies Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen. The team based in Faenza reached 1558 km, thanks to the 182 rounds of the Spanish and the 170 laps of Dutchman.

Fourth placement for Ferrari SF15-T of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, who closes the first session of collective test with a total reward of 1536 km (748 km less than Mercedes). Kimi Raikkonen ends his work with 198 rounds and the fastest lap (1’20″841), followed by Sebastian Vettel with 149 laps and his time of 1’20″984. Ferrari drivers are the only ones who have broken down the wall of 1’21. At this stage, however, we must tread carefully and lap times should be taken with a grain of salt, as each team get on track with very specific programs.

More outdistanced all the others. Lotus (which has driven one day less) comes back home with 841 km. At the very bottom, there are Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Daniil Kvyat, with 730 km and McLaren-Honda, with just 350 km.

Jerez, Winter Test – THE POINT

With four-day test sessions in Jerez Spanish circuit, the first winter collective practice session has ended and 2015 Formula 1 World Championship is now starting.

We have been able to enjoy all winter work done by teams, especially by top teams. Finally, we returned to Formula 1 “shapes”, with a philosophy that has accompanied and characterized this sport, where the aesthetic is important. We got rid of those horrible noses.

Analyzing the results, chronometric results immediately stand out, proof an important evolution of a World Championship year. In fact, after 12 months, performance is improved of 3”. Important signal. We have to take into account that not all cards have been discovered yet.

The excessive power of Mercedes World Champions is scaring; their work has focused exclusively on 2014 version engine, aiming to eliminate (and they succeeded) the problems of reliability of last season, mainly related to transmissions between the Power Unit and change. The more than 2200 km put together by Lewis Hamilton (208 laps) and Nico Rosberg (308 laps) are a good sign for reliability. For consistency with which they completed the run, without trying to score time, and for the type of compounds used, they will be again the reference point for everyone. They know well where they can get and convey also an important serenity during the interviews.

Same work at Williams. For the British team, Mercedes PU is a guarantee. They have worked to decrease 2014 criticali situations related to reliability. With an average of 70 rounds per day, Bottas and Massa have put together over 1250 km.

The surprise, however, comes from Ferrari and Sauber, for their kilometers and performances. Clearly, you have to be down to earth, whereas best times have come with soft compounds, not used by all teams. Very interesting the top speed scored by the team of Hinwil. Compered to last season, they have certainly scored the best leap. The SF15-T has proven to be the best of the F14-T, confirming reliability. Even visually, it is very pleasant. But before praising, I would go easy. Competitors are fierce and very prepared.

Let’s arrive at Red Bull. Considering the different performances between the two teams owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, it is evident that Horner’s men have used the 2015 version of the French engine, paying negatively the development in terms of reliability. At Toro Rosso, seeing many kilometers put together by the two young rookies Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen, they have been on track with 2014 version, focusing the work on the chassis and gaining interesting performances.

Obviously, disappointing McLaren-Honda pair. Few kilometers put together from neo-pair Alonso-Button and little performance. The car seems quite innovative, but suffer from the combination of mechanics-hybrid-electronic of the Japanese PU.

Below expectations Lotus. It was the first contact with the new engine (they have switched from Renault to Mercedes) and this step have to be “absorbed”. They have arrived in Spain with a day late, but we expected more.

Now we will see what will happen in fifteen days in Barcelona, a circuit included in World Championship calendar. Teams will be looking even for performance, as well as development. Meanwhile, these will also be two political weeks, linked to the economic difficulties of Force India, Marussia and Caterham.

Gian Carlo Minardi