F.1 – Jean Todt reinforces the FIA

/in /by

With a more technologically advanced F1, the FIA tries to take remedial actions and President Jean Todt strengthens his working group alongside the experts Charlie Whiting, Jo Bauer and also the aerodynamic expert Marcin Budkowski, with past experiences in Maranello and Woking.

Therefore, the International Federation wants to give greater authority to the inspections, trying to counter the wiles of the engineers in action within the team. “I find it a very appropriate move. Electronics and mechanics are really advanced and within the FIA have to work engineers and technicians who know very well the F1 environment and all latest technologies. In this way, it’s possible to write and establish clear sporting rules, giving the stability that is lacking today“, Gian Carlo Minardi says on www.minardi.it. “I have always believed, and I repeat for some time, that it is up to the FIA to establish the rules of the future and not to a Strategy Group composed of the same team. This will avoid furthering their own cause. Therefore, these technicians must undertake not to return to cooperate with the teams involved in the World Championship“, the manager from Faenza, busy at Monza circuit for the ACI Racing Weekend, continues. “We are in a very delicate moment for the Circus, where the uncertainty rules the roost, even blocking the entrance of new constructors“, Minardi concludes.

F.4 – Joao Vieira at Monza circuit to win

/in /by

For Joao Vieira it is time again to wear his overall, gloves and helmet to jump into the cockpit of his Tatuus F.4 #50. This weekend the fast Monza circuit will host the second round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, and the driver of Antonelli Motorsport will try to achieve the first win of the season, after the second place at the “Piero Taruffi” circuit.

The Year Last Joao had inflamed the public in the stands with several overtakings, gaining a valuable second place and important points for the championship, signing in March the new track record with a Formula 4, during the test-day. We have to forget, instead, about the result of last week collective test, when the yellow-gold driver of Minardi Management was stopped by Ascari’s mistake and later by a propeller that give much time to the rivals. It was the same already used at Vallelunga during the gara-3. “I will try to improve the second position gained last year. I want to leave behind the result of collective test, characterized by my mistake on Ascari and a problem to the engine already used at the end of Vallelunga weekend, after the failure of my unit. On the long straights we “gave” several km/h to the opponents. We know how important it is to have an engine in excellent condition in Monza”, Joao Vieira says. “At Vallelunga we gained the first podium. Now we need to aim for victory. Last year we worked very well and in March I was able to beat the 2014 pole position. I want to start from here“, the driver of Minardi Management concludes.

“We must quickly leave behind the bad day of collective test and, above all, gara-3 at Vallelunga, in order to start from the record marked in March, bringing home the first victory of the season and the most points, starting with a pole position. Joao and the car, prepared by the team of Marco Antonelli, have all the required skills to achieve these important objectives”, the manager, Giovanni Minardi, analyses.

F.1 – Monaco GP: DRIVERS’ SCORECARDS

/in /by

Montecarlo Grand Prix enlivened in the closing stages, thanks to Grosjean-Verstappen’s contact, after a good recovery of the Dutch driver, despite the error in the pit stop, and thanks to the reckless, inappropriate strategy of Mercedes, which called the leader of the race at the pit with the safety-car, in my opinion for an excessive pride, bringing then the success to Rosberg.

Lewis Hamilton – 10 His Qualifying lap was spectacular and his race flawless, managed at his best all race, from the beginning till the end. Too bad for the mistake of the pit stop. On his return on track, he tried several times to overcome Vettel, who achieved a second position.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He optimized the Ferrari, which still gives something to competitors. The third placement in Qualifying was excellent and it was the first one after Mercedes to get under the wall of 1’16”. He made no mistake during the race, managing to do well at the restart after the safety car, standing Hamilton’s ground and trying to attack him with his SuperSoft tyres.

Nico Rosberg – 8 He was behind his team mate for the whole weekend, but helped by the mistake in the final laps. With the victory, he is just 10 points away from the teammate, making the next GP more electrifying. On the final, he managed to outdistance Vettel with more than 4 sec, constantly racing on 1’18″599 and 1’18″700.

Jenson Button – 8 Despite McLaren-Honda still in late, he achieved the first points in the World Championship. Throughout the race, he defended himself with pretty good time results, in spite of a delay in car development.

Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat – 7.5 Red Bull has shown significant progresses in this weekend. Ferrari will have to be careful. Good work by Daniel and good sportsmanship to the fellow who finished fourth. Kvyat was criticized excessive.

Sergio Perez – 7 He struggled with determination throughout the weekend bringing the Force India in seventh place. He did as best as he could.

Carlos Sainz jr. – 7 Hi race was amazing, after an excellent Qualifying performance but with excessive zeal in stewards’ application of the regulations. He started from the pits with a very risky strategy and recovered up to tenth place.

Unsatisfactory all the others, especially Raikkonen, who lost once again the comparison with Vettel. Too many mistakes and he was unremarkable in both practice and race sessions.

Talking about the team, in addition to the disastrous race management of Mercedes (4), things went certainly not very well also at Williams, which will be forced to defend itself against a Red Bull in growth, instead of fighting for the second place in the championship. A 6 of encouragement to Sauber, Force India, Lotus and Toro Rosso.

F.1 – Gp Monaco: THE POINT

/in /by

In Montecarlo the unknown element and the mistake are always around the corner and the last ten laps have not lived up to expectations. A Grand Prix driven by external factors, thanks to the contact of Grosjean-Verstappen and the “suicide” tactics that Mercedes has put in the hands of Nico Rosberg’s success, tearing from Lewis Hamilton, who until then had dominated the Monegasque weekend.

Beyond the undisputed supremacy of Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, as evidenced by the advantage gained by Hamilton before the entrance of the Safety Car, the pit denied a well-deserved victory for the English because of superficiality and too much pride. A praise to Nico, also for his sportsmanship when he claimed to have been particularly fortunate in this circumstance. Certainly the “C” factor has its weight, even in races. Mercedes has completed the sixth Grand Prix with the same power-unit, synonymous with strength and competitiveness.

All others have a great work to do although I have seen a good compaction performance. Big step forward by Red Bull, McLaren-Honda and Force India. Rumours did not forget to have won four World Championships and now they are advancing. First points for Button who brought McLaren to the eighth position, racing on interesting chronometric results, as well as Sergio Perez, who finished behind Raikkonen, in seventh place. Weekend undertone for the Finn who, in my opinion, raced short of its possibilities, in addition to having made some mistakes too. He had to be in front of the RB. Commissioners’ decision was correct to not penalized Daniel Ricciardo for the contact with Kimi, but I don’t find correct the decision against Alonso, who was forced to retirement because of reliability problems. We are in Montecarlo and the essence of F1 should be also these contacts.

The results has been decided, however, thanks to Grosjean-Verstappen’s contact (the Dutch driver will pay with five penalty positions in Canada GP). The 17-year-old of TR gave us the only overtakings and was recovering in spite of the problem at the pit stop. Beyond the impetuousness, he was the author of a great weekend. Without defending him, I’d like to see Grojean’s telemetries, because I had the impression that the French have greatly anticipated the braking.

Now we go to Canada.

F.1 – Gp Monaco: Hamilton in pole position before Rosberg and Vettel

/in /by

Lewis Hamilton is the King of Montecarlo of last Saturday. With an impressive 1’15″098, he signed his first pole position in Monaco, ahead of Nico Rosberg, who stopped at 342 thousandths from the teammate, after winning the last two rounds. In third position there is still Ferrari, with Sebastian Vettel that paid 7 dec over the best Mercedes, stopping the clock at 1’15″849 ahead of the two Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat.

Sixth place for Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari (1’16″427) ahead of Force India of the Mexican driver Sergio Perez, the two Toro Rosso of Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen and Pastor Maldonado with its Lotus, who placed his car between the cars from Faenza.

“Qualifications as scheduled with a front row occupied by Mercedes. I would expect to see Nico Rosberg in front, but we have to congratulate Hamilton, who with a fantastic lap threatened to fall under the wall of 1’15”. Well done for Red Bull for moving forward and well done also for Vettel, who defended himself finishing third. Too many mistakes this morning and in the afternoon for Raikkonen. A praise to Toro Rosso who placed both its drivers in the Top 10. Although Raikkonen experienced for the first time with this circuit, he stood out quickly. Unlike Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez managed to optimize very well his Force India”, Gian Carlo Minardi analyses. “I thought I’ve seen some difficulties with SuperSoft tyres. Now let’s see what happens tomorrow during the race“.

F.4 – Ascari’s mistake conditions Joao’s test

/in /by

The Circus of F.4 Italy is make the appointment at Monza in preparation for the second round, scheduled for May 31st. Workday characterized by the off track as the Ascari in the late morning for Joao Vieira, who was forced to remain stationary in the pits of Antonelli Motorsport until mid-afternoon, to give the opportunity to the staff directed by Marco Antonelli of repair the Tatuus #50.

Back on track only at 4:00pm, the yellow-gold driver managed to go 22 rounds before the arrival of the rain, breaking early the work. A day’s work that certainly does not reflect the technical potential of Joao Viera, who in March had managed to lower more than 6 dec the time of the pole in 2014.

“The incident of the morning has certainly influenced the whole program because I could return to track only mid-afternoon. Anyway before the arrival of the rain I drove 22 laps with tires already lapped. When we were about to mount the new tires, it started to rain. Furthermore once again we had problems with the engine that in the straight gave much to the opponents. Ahead of the weekend of the race I think that we come back to my old engine“, the driver of Minardi Management, Joao Vieira, comments.

“Day conditioned by Ascari’s mistake that forced Joao to remain stationary in the pits until 4:00pm. In the morning he was still able to put together 31 laps. Before the arrival of the rain he has turned old tires along other 22 laps. We will have had fresh tires, but the rain made us change plans. Better to have made the mistake in a test that during the race weekend and I’m sure it will be helpful to Joao to maintain the concentration high“, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

F.1 – Road to Montecarlo

/in /by

Montecarlo is Montecarlo. Glamour, parties, atmosphere, yachts. It’s obviously an incredible and unique weekend, starting from the planning, with the first two free practice sessions from Thursday, coming back on track on Saturday and Sunday for the Gran Gala of the Grand Prix. Above all, the possibility to see the open wheels drive fast just closer to their fans. A truly unique event.

It will be a Gp focused on Mercedes, with an internal battle. In the last two years, Nico Rosberg has managed to be the first and, after the Spanish success, he will try to go on the positive way of successes, taking advantage of his feeling with the circuit of Monaco. Certainly, he cannot be much more outdistanced by Lewis Hamilton.

All the others remain an unknown, being far away for the incredible German power and I don’t expect miracles. Incidents can be always really close and compounds could help. Pirelli will bring special Supersoft, very performing, and Soft, which could favour those who have less grip and traction, such as Ferrari.

I hope that this long weekend, which will start today with a PR conference, will be the occasion to make things clearer on what the Strategy Group has suggested. In my opinion, these proposals don’t represent the right way, because Formula 1 problems about no spectacle and the economic and technical crisis are undertaken. All these proposals are focused on 2017, but firstly there’s need to overcome the 2016. There are too many unknown elements about Circus’ future and they’re unacceptable for all those teams ready to enter.

From the one side, we have Audi AD who declares: “F1 has to solve its problems by itself”, that’s to say: first of all, rules have to be clear and then we can enter. From the other side, there’s Renault, which is creating a lot of problems to two small regular teams, one of which is twice Wold Champion. The scene is certainly not the most solid ones. This is why these proposals seem to me not suitable to the actual situation. In the last years, there have been made choices in favour of safety. Now, there are proposals for 1000 hp engines and 4-5” more performing cars, including again supplies, going back to chronometric results of 6-7 years ago. It denies everything done so far. Moreover, we’ve a GP2, which in Spain has been faster than the last row of F1. This GP2 counts on 200 hp less and on budgets that are far away from those of Circus. Numbers that should make us think about.

For this reason, I hope there’ll be FIA and FOA interventions, in order to find serious and useful solutions to reach and pass 2016 with no problems, giving stability to the atmosphere.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Strategy Group: too many words, few facts

/in /by

So many words and zero facts. I have to sum up with these words the decisions taken by the Strategy Group, which met into the Biggin Hill aeroport in London, whose aim should be to he show and the format of the Formula 1. We are talking about a group of people working as part of the team, whose daily bread is the F1. This is why I am perplexed when I read these proposals. Rules that may be adopted in 2016 and 2017 seasons. Now the ball passes to the World Motor Sport Council.

SUPPLIES: inexplicably returned. After being abolished because considered unsafe and too expensive, the Strategy Group has rightly thought to propose them again, even though the open wheels have become more complex – not to say dangerous – with the entry in 2014 of complicated and expensive power-unit that are putting in great difficulty different teams. What would happen in case of problems or errors with the pipe union? Formula 1 is in economic crisis. If we exclude the first five teams, all the others are already without oxygen and, now, we force them to take on additional costs to buy back the equipment and manage their transport?

FREE TYRES: Each team would be free to choose the two compounds to be used in each Grand Prix. If I were the supplier, I would not ever accept. The best way to quickly improve the performance on the tour is to act on the tire choice. Therefore, small teams may opt for soft compounds also on a very selective track with the intent to stand out. Do not forget what we experienced at Indianapolis in 2005 …

 CLIENTS CARS: how many times has already turned up this proposal in recent years? It’s a long time I think that it is not the right solution to keep costs down. Cars built to win a World Championship have construction strategies and operating costs well above the car of second choice. I personally studied ithis way in 1996: Flavio Briatore joined the the Minardi Team, who was also CEO of Team Benetton. Together we tried to investigate synergies to reduce costs. After a careful study, two philosophy emerged and there were so different that we had to abandon the project. Everyone continued to produce and project separately. Furthermore, it should depreciate to the intellectual property of the team that would lose the title of “Constructor” with big repercussions in the economic value of the team itself.

So once again there were no new solutions that could portend a substantial changes, to reduce real costs. They have been rejected all cases of cost cuts, related to abolition of the wind tunnels or revise the system of payments between customer teams and engineers etc. Today we have engines whose costs account for one third of the entire budget. Unacceptable. We need to focus on simpler aerodynamics, having fewer staff in the company and also during the pit stop. It’s time that I feel ridiculous having to employ over 20 mechanics to change four tyres, destined to rise with supply. Staff which also covers the sponsors sings just in a moment when the car may have the best visibility. DRS? Technology that has a cost and that is useless, even on production cars.

Do we want to change? Why not try to do two shorter rounds on Sunday, totalling always 300 km, instead of entering the supplies, as well as increasing costs, complicated strategies and reading the race. Let’s think to make cars easier (now a front wing cost more than 100,000 €) and fast with tyres of 17″. We must make to remain fans excited with amazing and less complicated contests. Today races are made on tyre and fuel strategies. We also add the unknown supplies and will not solve anything. My idea is to get the public closer, now too far. Fans are forced to watch their heroes behind a network, at best, or a television. There’s a nasty habit of get closed inside the hospitality.

It’s time to create a group that is not directly involved in the team, but promoted by the FIA and FOA. Ecclestone and Todt have to monitor on proposals. There’s need for a Strategy Group which is absolutely detached from the teams, but knows very well F1 environment. Otherwise everyone pulls water to his mill and these proposals which are not going anywhere come out.

Kart – Onboard Karol Basz in Portimao

/in /by

Enjoy the two fast laps onboard Karol Basz in this warm up session during the CIK European Championship for KF in Portimao, Algarve, Portugal.
Thanks Alexandros Vernardis/The Racebox
[media id=114 width=630 height=620]

F.1 – Spanish GP: DRIVERS' SCORECARD

/in /by

Ferrari fans were very disappointed, because they expected something new and more decisive for the Spanish Grand Prix that, unfortunately, did not take place, as demonstrated by the 45″ of lead between Sebastian Vettel and the winner Nico Rosberg.

Unfortunately, they represent a step back of Mercedes’ run up. Podiums are good but because they help to keep high the moral in a difficult moment. Today, luckily, we miss those teams (i.e. McLaren and Red Bull) who only 12 months ago were constantly in top positions. The Team Principal Mr.Arrivabene himself, after the race, was very severe, stating that this gap is not fine at all. It will certainly be a very long way since we do not know the real limits of Germans. They ended the fifth Grand Prix of the season with the same power-unit, sign of reliability and strength against competitors which ask the fifth unit for car/year.

Behind Ferrari, there was Williams, that in the first four races made few mistakes. It will certainly be a tough nut for the second place in Constructors championship. This standings is much clearer over the past year in quality and performance. In Qualifying we saw a spectacular Red Bull that, unfortunately, is not able to repeat itself in race management, giving way to Red Bull’s rich cousins. The cause is also to be searched in the straights that PU Renault give to competitors. Let’s arrive to the votes.

Nico Rosberg – 10 He managed the whole weekend in an exemplary manner, becoming once again the “Nico” that last year contrasted Lewis. We hope that the internal struggle for the title will reopen, since all the others are light years away

Lewis Hamilton – 8 I saw him nervous. He suffered unjustly for the perfect weekend of his teammate. A champion like him should be able to manage these realities because Rosberg is not a Number 2. Up to now, he has been able to win three races perfect and with no problems

Sebastian Vettel – 8 because he did not make any mistakes in Qualifying and during the race

Valtteri Bottas – 8 Excellent race; he managed to keep up with Ferrari’s compatriot, putting his Williams between the two Reds

Kimi Raikkonen – 7 A vote of encouragement, because in the whole weekend has been behind his teammate. To keep Ferrari in second position in the world championship, he have to win the competition on Williams.

Felipe Massa – 6.5 a we do not live up to the first part of the championship. In Barcelona he has definitely lost the confrontation with teammate. He brought home a 6th place and important points.

Daniel Ricciardo – 7.5 still an appointment full of problems. He knew, however, how to achieve a good seventh place, even with a lap down

Romain Grosjean – 7.5 despite a car with several problems, he tried to his best to bring Lotus the points for the World Championship

Daniil Kvyat – 6 Some mistakes and a bad start, but the car is difficult to drive. He lost also the comparison with Sainz Jr. Anyway, he deserves more attention and less critics. I find foolish the comparison with Vettel.

Kart – At Portimao Karol Basz was slowed only by a contact

/in /by

On the track of Portimao, in Portugal, the spotlights turned on on the European Championship CIK-FIA KF category, the first of three appontiments of the championship that will touch even the boundaries of England and Sweden.

A weekend that did not follow the plans of the Polish driver from Krakow, Karol Basz, who was victim of an accident. The event, which affected significantly the final result, took place during the pre-final, when Jordon Lennox-Lamb, the driver that Karol was trying to overtake, closed the bearer of the Kosmic Racing Team towards the corner. The Polish driver was forced to retirement due to important damages reported. Without getting caught up in despair, the bearer pink-blue Kosmic team put together a good comeback, recovering until the thirteenth final position, after having started from the 29th placement and finishing at 11″ from the winner, racing at 2” from best lap of the race.

“It was an unlucky weekend, conditioned especially by the accident in the pre-final that forced me to start backwards, from the 29th position, in the Final. Unfortunately, the chassis was not 100% OK, but despite this, I was able to recover up to 13th position in the Final, scoring good lap time. There’s still the satisfaction with the seventh place in Qualifying Heats”, the driver of Minardi Management, Karol Basz, comments.

“If we look purely at the result, it was not the weekend we expected. Unfortunately, the incident in the pre-final affected the entire weekend, forcing Karol to start from the bottom in the Final and with not perfect frame. However, I have to congratulate him for the great recovery and the Kosmic Racing team of Olivier Marechal for the excellent work in the development of the material. In this season, tyres will be a very important and they’re showing to have the right balance”, Alberto Tonti analyses.

Thanks to the scored points, Karol greeted Portugal with the tenth place in standings, turning his mind directly to the next challenge: England, International  – on June the 21st. “We are only at the beginning. In England we will start again from the tenth position, with the aim to regain all lost ground here in Portugal, in order to race for the Final victory in Sweden”, Minardi Kart Supervisor concludes.

Photo: Alex Racebox.

Kart – Matteo Nannini confirms himself with a KFJ second placement in Pavia. Only a postponed victory.

/in /by

After the third position with his debut in KFJ last April the 19th on the International Circuit 7 Laghi in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV), last Sunday Matteo Nannini won with supremacy and determination his second place, scoring also the fastest lap of the Final.

For the fifth appointment of the Rok Nord, the championship was back again in Pavia and the talented driver from Forlì of Fabio Urgnani’s New Technology team won another prestigious result improving on the third place of his debut. Certainly, it was not an easy weekend, but Matteo was not influenced by external events, proving his value with the 125 Energy right from the beginning of the weekend, scoring the second fastest time in free practice sessions and third in Qualifying, with a gap of just 16 thousandths from the winner (tied with second place), the prelude of the third place in Race 1 and fastest lap. In the Final, Matteo made a step forward in standings, signing his best result in the championship with a final second place, reinforced again by the fastest lap of the race: 50″432 and an average speed of over 88 km/h. “It was a difficult weekend and everything happened, including extra-race events. Besides, I am really happy for the second place in the Final, with the fastest lap in race and the third position in Race 1, scoring always the fastest lap of the race. I can say that I aim at the victory“, Matteo Nannini says with satisfaction.

“I’m really very happy with the weekend of Matteo. We are only at the second race in KFJ and have already collected two podium finishes, with a third place at the debut and a second place this weekend with the fastest lap in the race. We are ready for victory“, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyses.

Next challenge for Matteo Nannini will be on Adria’s track on the weekend of May 31st, as the sixth round of the Rok Nord Championship.

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

/in /by

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