F1- Red Bull and Toro Rosso: a different solution?

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While F1 is at work for next Russian Grand Prix, all the technical uncertainties linked especially to Red Bull teams keep leading discussions. In effect, both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso Stable are without an engine at present. However, also the driver market is ready to take its first steps.

ENGINES After criticizing Renaut engines, knocking at Mercedes and receiving the marching orders directly from Carlos Ghosn, now Helmut Marko and Christian Horner declare themselves scandalized because Ferrari would have offer them 2015 engines. However the puzzle gets complicated due to the rules that allows every engine supplier to supply a maximum of four stables. Haas and Sauber are already at Ferrari. So it remains Just a place for two candidates. It looks almost like the musical chair game.

Toro Rosso joined Renault in 2014 catching up with its “sister” RBR and mainly summing up its power. Therefore, under Regulation this collaboration could cease. So what roads Toro Rosso is supposed to take? “Honda knocked at Toro Rosso. A solution that could help the Japanese constructor, and therefore McLaren in developing its troubled Power-Unit. We do know that Honda is around Europe to make a technological shopping” Gian Carlo Minardi comments “.While we are talking, the World Council is going on. It could change the current rules that, among other things, limit each engine supplier to supply a maximum of four teams”.

Mercedes already supplies four teams, Mercedes, Williams, Force India and Maron that replaces Lotus. As said before, at Ferrari there would be a free place ( Ferrari, Sauber, Haas). Honda and Renault (that is going to come back as constructor purchasing Lotus) each have a team. “Now the ball passes to Ferrari and its President who has to decide if add a fourth customer. But be careful. On February 28th 2016 engines meant to be used in season will have to be deposited and frozen. Not being able to use tokens for developing their PU along the season, Official team and customers will have the same unlike this year. So I see the employment of 2015 PU as a difficult event”.

DRIVERS  Contextually to the engine-market, the driver-market could also enliven. Yesterday, Haas team presented the french Grosjean who said goodbye to Lotus leaving temporarily alone the already confirmed (thanks to his sponsors) Maldonado. The arrival of Renault could bring Enstone a top driver like Jenson Button who hasn’t clarified his future yet, whose place beside Fernando Alonso could be taken by Stoffel Vandoorne (who already revolves around McLaren). The arrival of Manor under Mercedes wing could also bring new names like Pascal Wehrlein.”In other words there is really many opportunities to take advantage of. We are waiting to know the news coming from the World Council. Moreover the Diselgate could affected the FIA. Volkswagen group is very involved in motor sport: Porche in WEC, Audi with WEC and DTM, beyond the Rallies for Volkswagen”. The manager from Faenza concludes.

F1 – Japanese Gp: SCORECARDS

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Among several engine complications regarding Honda, Red Bull and Lotus/Reanault, let’s grade the protagonist of the Japanese Grand Prix along with Giancarlo Minardi.

Lewis Hamilton – 9 impeccable during the race, he was outclassed by his team-mate in qualifying. Once again he proved all the superiority of his Mercedes also scoring a fabulous fast lap, outstripping all of his opponents by over 1”.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 he started from the bottom for the second time, being able to recover up to the ninth place thanks to an intriguing pace and exciting overtakings. A result that was unhoped-for early in the race also due to the features of this Japanese circuit.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 excellent at the start where he out-passed Bottas. He brought home the best result for Ferrari in an unfavorable circuit.

Nico Rosberg – 7 the vote is especially linked to pole position achieved in qualifying. He seemed colorless and not so aggressive as a driver in his position should be. With that car, the second place is the worst result to aim at. He looked like resigned to have to be the second drive.

Nico Hulkenberg – 7 an important sixth place both for him and Force India. It is the proof that the fifth place in the Constructors’ standings is a result achieved on track.

Valterii Bottas – 6,5 at the start he was caught off guard and lost the challenge with his main opponent: Ferrari. He brings some points to William that proves itself third power in the world championship.

Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado – 6,5 in such a hard time for their team, both of them succeeded in getting into the points. A good strength trial for the two Lotus standard-bearers. Maldonado is already confirmed for the next season, and now the team could open its doors to Grosjean.

Haas Carlos Sainz Jr – 6,5 he lost the challenge with his team-mate, the first of all the opponents. He also made a levity entering the box and loosing some time for the replacement of the nose.

Fernando Alonso – 4 it’s a vote linked to his team-radio beyond his malice on track where he has steadily improved his times recovering the eleventh place. An inappropriate outburst especially because addressed to those who wanted him in McLaren. Honda delegated any decisions to his team that, according to rumors, would like to remove him through Ron Dennis. Surely it was an inappropriate outburst, but the fact remains that communications should be better filtered. It is the Fia itself that decides what team-radio broadcast. On this occasion an inelegant tool has been used to keep alive the attention on F1. This kind of facts make people talk.

Mercedes – 10 Pole position and victory with both of its drivers. They proved to have kept their bearings. They are again that perfect and unbeatable car they were before Singapore.

Ferrari – 8,5 with the third and fourth places they strengthen their second place among Constructors and with Vettel they achieved their tenth seasonal podium. A good result considering the technical features of Suzuki, unfavorable to the red.

Lotus – 7,5 despite the lack of liquidity and hospitality, the whole staff is working with the hope of a rescue by Renault. These points raise spirit and strengthen the sixth place.

Williams – 7it succeeded in qualifying but it raced below its capacity. In a circuit suitable for Mercedes Power-Unit like this one, I expected something more from them.

Toro Rosso – 7 they close the week-end ahead their “ cousins” at Red Bull proving to work usefully. I hope they could find an engine solution suitable for their development which allows them to continue their young line that makes us so much fun.

Red Bull – 5 besides not having confirmed the result in Singapore, they lost the challenge with Toro Rosso. Surely they are bothered by their engine complications . They are heavily paying their arrogance, especially towards Renault with which they won four world championship. As soon as they had some problems, they has felt free to heavily point their finger to the French constructor. An aggressive approach that surely alarms Ferrari and Mercedes. They should make an examination of conscience.

Kart – Karol Basz KF World Champion

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Sensational week-end for Karol Basz crowned KF World Champion at the International circuit La Conca. For the Kosmic Racing Polish driver led by Giovanni Minardi’s Management and Alberto Tonti it has been a clear and peremptory victory. He dominated all the sessions of the most important event in the international karting review leaving his opponents only “crumbs”.

Karol put his signature on three of the four Qualifying Practice, he “had to satisfy”with a third place only in the second one. An unbelievable “march roll” that gives him the pre-final pole-position where he gained a new impressive success crossing the finish line with a lead of 2,5”. His consecration arrives in final where once again he was first at the finish line. Proving his talent and the excellent feeling reached with tracks and Kosmic racing material, the driver from Cracow also signs the fastest time of the race 45”843, putting a cool 3,1” between himself and the second in overall standings. “All the week-end has been wonderful. The final wasn’t as easy as it could seem looking simply to general standings. I lost some time at the start but I succeeded in recovering quickly and then I was able to dictate my pace till the end. The whole team has worked impeccably since the test day” an enthusiastic Karol Basz comments before thanking. “I want to thank Kosmic, Mr. Robazzi and the whole group OTK, Mr. Oliver Marechal, my family who always supports me, Aga my girlfriend, my sponsors ilMio.Pl, R8, Europart and in addition to my athletic trainer Olsh Coaching, the Minardi Management personified by Giovanni Minardi and Alberto Tondi”.

“What can I say? It has been a sensational week-end. Karol imposed his pace in all the sessions. It was a peremptory supremacy. At worst he arrived third. We are talking about the most important event of the World Championship.This make us understand the technical value and the talent for racing of this guy. I am very happy for Karol. As Minardi Management, we hadn’t put our seal on a Championship for long time. So I want to thank him because our first trophy is a karting world Championship. Nothing is better than this” manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

“All was perfect. We couldn’t close better than this. This is the conclusion of a work that lasted an entire season. Kosmic Racing team has been perfect leaving nothing to chance. The driver has alaways worked professionally, staying focused and determined and fullfilling overtakings that allowed him to impose his supremacy on really experienced drivers. Adding the KF World Championship, the most important title, to my karting palmares is a satisfaction for me. We’ll immediately start to work on upcoming events with the other drivers, expecially the youngers, for 2016 season. Maybe we’ll aim at the KZ World Championship” Alberto Tonti comments.

F1- Japan Gp: THE POINT

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Everything went back to normal. After the negative pause in Singapore, here in Japan Mercedes exhibited again all its excessive power with Hamilton that couldn’t be caught. Being able to do what he wants, he proved to be in the saddle to his rivals. Nico Rosberg, failing his start, compromised not only his race but also his iridescent chances.

W06 Hybrid is on another planet, beyond mistakes or complications. After a win, the third place is always a “bitter pill”. Nevertheless, for Ferrari the third and fourth places are a good booty. Vettel brings home the tenth seasonal podium gained on a track that is demanding for “The Red” which reinforces its second place on the Constructors’ World Championship standings to the detriment of William already oriented towards 2016.

Anyway, this grand prix gave us beautiful duels and over-takings, like that made by Nico to the detriment of Bottas, or that made by Verstappen against his team-mate Sainz. Luckily direction changed its policy giving space to half group battles. Once again the two young “bulls” reanimated the race, giving three important points to Toro Rosso despite some mistakes like that made by Sainz Jr. at the entrance of the pit-lane that damaged the spoiler of his car. Congratulations to Force India, and especially Lotus. Vijay Mallya’s team which reconfirmed Hulkenberg and Perez for the next season proves that the fifth place in the World Championship is well-earned. The response of Lotus was amazing. Despite hard times, It greets Suzuka in eight and seventh. This is an award for all its staff who keeps working despite strong pressure. I hope a transfer of property will be announced in the next few days.

A thought also goes to Fernando Alonso’s race. Surely, I do not agree with the radio outburst of the Spanish team that after suffering another overtaking hasn’t spared heavy criticism to its McLaren-Honda. Anyway, I can understand Alonso’s frustration. Despite having continually struggle, he closed only eleventh, ahead his team-mate stopped sixteenth. It is really a hard moment for him and especially for Honda. I am worried about what Japaneses can do in this critical situation.
The technical gap is substantial and we don’t see any Power-Unit improvements. At date I can’t see their future in F1 beyond 2016.

However, the Circus is correctly facing such a hard moment. Some entity are “fire-walking”. Along with Honda, whose complications affect the financial condition of its team, we haveRed Bull (RBR and TR) without an engine, and Lotus that is nervously waiting Renault. Time is running out and, according to rumors, some complicated situations should unlock during this week. Also Mercedes could have a change of mind about Red Bull. The fact is that we have a clear regulations: each team must have an engine. We’ll see how all this will develop. As an excellent orchestra leader as he is, Mr. E. won’t stand watching.

EnginePuzzle – Red Bull between Ferrari and Mercedes. Risk at Honda

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With every days that goes by, the engine tangle is getting more and more complicated at Red Bull. Furthermore, even if the marriage between Red Bull and Mercedes looked like a thing done in late July, during the Italian Gp at Monza, Mercedes made a decisive back step: the management of the German team proclaimed that they won’t supply a team born to win. Meanwhile Ferrari stepped forward through its President Sergio Marchionne. They put words into action with several meetings aimed to reach an agreement.

This way the stable of “The Prancing Horse” would provide its engines to Toro Rosso in addition to Red Bull, starting a significant Power-Unit “waltz” and gaining a good economic returns. We must not to forget that the rules allows each manufacturer to supply a maximum of four teams and the new “Star and Stripes” team Haas will be equipped with a Maranello’s heart from 2016. In this “dangerous” game Sauber could be the loser, with Manor in Mercedes perspective. We approach the end of September and the situation is still stuck. Mercedes uncertainties also spread along Maranello’s corridors.

The rules is clear: all the teams enrolled to the F1 World Championship must have an engine. If Maranello says “no”, measures will be taken by the top brass. As a good orchestra leader, Mr. E won’t stand watching, also because he can’t afford to loose two such important teams like Red Bull and Toro Rosso.The only certainty is that the next year RBR and TR won’t use a Renault PU anymore. If we add to this also the troubles at Lotus and McLaren, we understand that we are fire-walking.Enstone’s group is awaiting Renault to attempt planning the future of its team that in Japan gave a nice trial of strength closing its race in seventh and eighth with Grosjean and Maldonado.

The situation at McLaren-Honda is the same. Ron Dennis’ team is paying the heavy Japanese debacle among some shirker sponsors and others ready to run away.Alonso’s radio-team during Suzuka’s Gp is in inexcusable, it is a synonym of frustration. For Honda it is hard time.The technical gap is huge compared to its opponents. In such situations Japaneses usually made drastic choices. At present it is really difficult to imagine their future in F1 after 2016.

In the next few days something will certainly happen also because there are two cars to be designed.

 

F1 – Road to…Suzuka

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We enter the last six gran prix of the season with 150 points still at disposal. After the victory signed by Vettel and Ferrari in Singapore, and Lewis Hamilton’s retirement due to some complications, everyone dreams what is impossible.

The Circus arrives at Suzuka, in Japan. It is an old fashioned historical circuit where a mistake is payed heavily, Drivers will have to forget the long paved and safe “Tilke”escapes quickly.

We talk about a track that wrote fundamental pages of this long, fast and demanding sport, this is a circuit also distinguished by its adverse weather conditions. Clearly our thought rapidly goes to last year terrible accident which deprived us of Jules Bianchi.Here engines and tyres are considerably stresses and cause many uncertainties as the entry of the Safety car.

It will be interesting to see how Mercedes will be able to react. Ferrari, little by little, is nibbling essential points.The past teaches us that the German team, is not so perfect under pressure. I believe that William is already in 2016.The third place is sure for them. I don’t think that Red Bull had the power to recover the current gap, so Lotus towards Force India. Instead, Toro Rosso will try to bother Enstone’s team with its two standard-bearers returning from a good week-end in Singapore, especially Verstappen who managed a good recover with the help of two Safety car.

It will be a critical event also behind the scenes with sheavily maneuvers towards a not so rosy future. We have Honda that, among a lot of complications, is arranging to do the honors. Red Bull without engine and Renault that has to decide its plans. In all this, time is inexorably ticking.

Monica Zoli, Made in Italy in Singapore: the interview

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After Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore night race, www.minardi.it had the pleasure of meeting Monica Zoli, CEO of DZ Engineering, Dino Zoli Group’s company from Forlì, in charge not only for the lighting of the circuit. In a few years, thanks to its unique scenic design, the Marina Bay Street Circuit has captured fan’s and insiders’ interest.

What is the task of DZ Engineering during the F1 Gp weekend in Singapore?
We are talking about an audio-video integrated system where the lighting aspect rules the roost from a scenic viewpoint. We also support the Race Control Room by our video surveillance systems. With our video cameras we monitor the areas of the entire circuit. For instance, our videos are at disposal for the inquiry into the track invasion.

How many months the work of assembly and dis-assembly lasts?
We start to install in early May and close with the storage at the Singapore Gp warehouse in late November. The work of diassasembly begins immediately after the end of the race. This year our offices are located in the same building that houses the Singapore Gp. They wanted us nearby ( Monica Zoli smiles) in order to be at hand.

About F1, what are your plans for the next few years?
Our goal is to keep growing. The Asian area is very susceptible to Motor-Sport. Our main purpose is the renewal of the contract with the Singapore Gp that has started its negotiations about the extension of its contract for the next five years (from 2018 to 2022). About F1, at time we haven’t other requests even if we’d like to work with Monza and Imola our house circuit. It would be great if it succeeded in getting F1 back.

What about other championships?
We have started to work with the electric series “Formula E” for the Malaysian Eprix at Putrajaya and with Kuala Lumpur for the first edition of the KL City Grand Prix in August. It was a daily event so our task concerned TVCC audio and radio communication systems between the marshals in the field and the Operation Center. Beyond the four-wheel, Dz Engineering collaborates with the Sepang circuit in view of event of the MotorGp World Championship, as well as with the States.

Talking about contract renewals, did you meet Mr. Bernie Ecclestone?
Actually our renewal doesn’t directly affect Mr. Ecclestone because our client is the Singapore Gp, with whom we have a really good relationship. There is a mutual consideration that has reinforced during the years. They could appreciate us for our versatility and competence and we do appreciate them.

Singapore is an event that has entered the heart of fans because of the scenic beauty also appreciated by the protagonists: the drivers.
The city of Singapore intensely experiences the F1 Gran Prix. All years I fly to Singapore on the occasion of this event and I sense this mood every time. There are also a lot of collateral events that offers a complete set of fun where F1 is at the center. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful circuit thanks to its spectacular nature due to a brilliant lighting, stable along the whole circuit.

Yet, some journalists suggested that some bends were more dark than others.
I’d really like to know the basis of these opinions. The lighting is absolutely stable and it doesn’t create any dazzling: it is proved by technical field surveys. In Brisighella, during the ceremony of the Bandini Trophy I had the opportunity to talk with Davide Valsecchi, driver and Sky commentator who has run in Singapore. He declared that it is one of the most beautiful circuit where you can run. If he say that I have to believe.

Your work has also an essential effect on driver and insider’s security. How does technology has evolved in recent years?
We have improved the reliability and the capacity of the spotlights, the quality of power generators from Turkey. We have improved HD images by integration and quality. It is an on-going work that follows the development of the circuit too. To us every change is an occasion to introduce some improvements. This technology then become a landmark for others circuits.

For “Made in Italy” it was a sensational week-end also due to the success of Ferrari.
Watching the tricolor waving was a delight. There were us and Ferrari. We felt a great delight, as the rest of Italy as the TV audience proves. This kind of event helps the F1 image along with Sebastian Vettel’s enthusiasm and congeniality. He is the link between fans and Ferrari.

F4 – Crash at 200km/h for Vieira at Imola. "Luckily I feel good"

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The sixth and penultimate event of Joao Vieira’s Italian Formula 4 Championship at Imola was affected by a bad accident at over 200 kmh in the vicinity of the Tamburello bend.
The Brazilian Antonelli standard-bearer was quickly carried to Hospital and underwent medical examinations to evaluate possible injures to the back.

Luckily, Vieira didn’t receive serious damage except for a strong backache. Now, he wants rapidly forget this week-end. “The shock is over.  Luckily I feel good even if I still have a strong backache” it’s the comment of Joao Vieira who will continue the medical checks in the next few days. “There is not much to add. I am happy because all things considered, especially how the car is destroyed, I got lucky. I really hope to get again in the car for the last event at Misano”.

“For Joao it has been a catastrophic week-end. He has been involved in accidents in both races and the consequences could have been much worse than they are. Luckily while the rest of the car shattered, the body resisted very well. In the next days Joao’s checks will go on. We wants to come back at Minoan circuit. It could have been a positive week-end to us but it eneded with nothing. Moreover Commissioners have been too prudent with who caused the accident” manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

F1 – Singapore Gp: SCORECARDS

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After Sebastian Vettel’s great victory for Ferrari and the debacle of Mercedes, let’s grade the protagonists of this Gp along with Gian Carlo Minardi.

Sebastian Vettel – 10 his week-end was absolutely perfect. He missed just the fastest lap. In qualifying he was more stunning than in race. He made a voluptuous, encyclopedic, textbook lap.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 with certainly not perfect Red Bull he was able to make a good leap ahead. He was also helped by tires and by the circuit layout that wasn’t severe with his engine.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 despite his mistake at the start he was able to recover giving us amazing over-takings once again.

Carlos Sainz Jr – 8 there is no doubt. Along with his team-mate he has been proving to deserve this F1. Along with Max, he brought important points to Toro Rosso.

Daniil Kvyat – 7,5 he did well on Friday. His qualifying was good while he lost a bit his way during the race even if he brought important points to Red Bull Racing with his sixth place. He was overtake by his team-mate in standings.

Lewis Hamilton – 7 he did very well especially after his changing tires where he kept the leaders’ peace. Unfortunately he was betrayed by the reliability of his Mercedes.

Nico Rosberg – 7 thanks to Hamilton’s retirement he gained 11 points in standings. A good booty at such a crucial time of the season. He reopened the championship even if he will have to pay attention to Vettel.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – 7 respectively in fifth and seventh places. The standard-bearers of Williams and Force India optimized the material at their disposal.

Alexander Rossi –  7  debutting in such a demanding circuit like that in Singapore is certainly not an easy task, but the American at Manor proved to match up with the world championship.

Kimi Rraikkonen – 6,5 he did his little homework. Given the conditions of this week-end the third place was the minimum result and it was what he gained. Surely the third place gives Ferrari important and valuable points for the Constructors’ World Championship, but once again the comparison with his team-mate is merciless.

Fernando Alonso – 6 in qualifying he was able to recover, but he could nothing against the unreliability of his McLaren and its Honda engine. Japaneses deserve a severe low mark.

Ferrari – 10 with a result gained o track. In such conditions the car proved to be very strong. They failed nothing, also managing restarts very well.

Red Bull Racing – 8 a great recover, but we are talking about a singular circuit where the engine hasn’t to give its maximum. As happened in Hungary, at lower speed Renault do its better.

Mercedes – 6 I believe this week-end can remain just a bracket in an interesting season. Certainly, they panic under pressure making some mistakes.

F1 – Singapore Gp: THE POINT

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We  moved from the podium at Monza to the pole position and victory in Singapore. Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari scored an almost perfect week-end, also spiced with Kimi Raikkonen’s third place. The German missed just the fastest lap of the race  signed by Daniel Ricciardo, in second place at the finish line.

Maker of a perfect lap in qualifying, Sebastian run its race to his liking pushing hard and managing the speed when it was necessary. Not even the (real and virtual) safety car ruined the “red party”.Vettel was great at every departures in keeping his ex team-mate behind. He responded to the Australian’s attacks placing a safety gap between his Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. In my opinion, Race Director’s choice about SC has been really unreasonable: he decided to keep the safety car on track for even 5 laps due to an invasion which lasted less than 30”.This kind of events can make you fail the victory. Therefore Ferrari has its third seasonal success. Earlier this year the goal was two “seals”. It was a week-end to forget for Mercedes and its two color-barer Hamilton and Rosberg. They has never been “at stake” and it is the first time in the last two years. Even in qualifying they had to settle in the third row. Now it is critical to understand why it happened because such an overturning is quite crazy. It could have been a complication due to the pressure of tires or to hot temperatures. After dominating far and wide, Hamilton was forced to retire because he was short on power with Nico in fourth at the finish line. Thanks to his team-mate’s zero points, Rosberg has decreased his gap in standing (41 points), but he will have to pay attention to Vettel ( just 8 points behind). Ferrari strengthened its second place in the Constructors’  standing, also thanks to Raikkonen’s third place, even if he was unremarkable and slower than his team-mate.

As I have predicted, Red Bull regenerated in this city circuit. It is very likely that Renault Power-Unit works well at low speed letting its light shine. Complications arise when you need the maximum power as it usually happens in tracks at low loan. An approval also goes to Toro Rosso which is again in points with both its drivers. Marx Vestappen has been excellent. After his mistake at the start he recovered till eighth making us enjoy amazing overtakings once again. On final he didn’t succeed in overtaking Perez. Sainz Jr. was good too, he finished in nineth, ahead of Nasr’s Sauber.

                                                                     

F1 – Engine Puzzle – Scenarios

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From the Frankfurt Motor Show Carlos Ghosn has proclaimed that the partnership between Renault and Red Bull is over. Since 2016 the French Constructor won’t supply its (debated) Power-Unit anymore. The President hasn’t added anything about the future of Renault in Formula 1.
“The announcement about the future of Renault has been postponed to after Frankfurter Motor Show” manager Gian Carlo Minardi declared some days ago to www.minardi.it. Lotus that should be purchased by Renault, is ready to come back with an own team.

The end of this partnership opens several scenarios that will surely characterize this conclusive season. During the Italian Gp at Monza, the President of Ferrari, Sergio Marchionne, declared its willingness to supply Red Bull and Toro Rosso with Maranello’s Power-Unit. He met Helmut Marko and Christian Horner themselves. The stable of the prancing horse has de facto passed the competition of Mercedes, whose talks with the Soft-drinker’s top brass has been interrupted sanctioning de facto the victory of Toto Wolff who has never liked to supply a direct rival.

Scenarios that appeared  already sharped are now ready to mix up. We have to remember, in effect, that according to current rules, every constructor can supply only four teams with its Power-Unit. And don’t forget that many changes will affected the rules in 2017. First things first.

FERRARI POWER-UNIT
As we know, Haas team will joint F1 in 2016 and Ferrari will support it through its propeller. To date, Maranello’s portfolio comprises also Sauber and Manor. If it involved also Red Bull and Toto Rosso  the number of supplies would reach 6 (forbidden by the current rules).

MERCEDES POWER-UNIT 
According to rumors, Manor would be ready to migrate to Mercedes motorization, becoming de facto the German Junior Team. So it will joint Williams and Force India.

RENAUL
Renault has expressed an interest in returning to F1 “in first person” as Constructor and not only as engine supplier by purchasing Lotus which is in heavy financial difficulties. Any announcement has been postponed after the Frankfurt motor show.

SAUBER 
Under the circumstances, Sauber would be forced to migrate to the trans-alpine motorization. According to what announced by Ghosn, Renault would stay in F1 only as Constructor without providing its PU to additional teams. This decision would cause great complications to the Helvetian group.

Mercedes: Mercedes, Williams, Force India, Manor
Ferrari: Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Haas
Renault: Renault, Sauber (?) Honda: McLaren

F1 – Road to…Singapore

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From the Frankfurt Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn has announced that the partnership between Renault and Red Bull is over without adding more details about the future of the French Constructor. Surely Red Bull is now in a difficult situation, without a Power Unit in mid-September. I don’t think this is an unexpected news to Horner’s staff, who at first had long approached Mercedes and then Ferrari. Toto Wolff won his battle with the top brass of Mercedes. He effectively has never concealed his dislike about supplying a rival hungry for winning. I’ll be in Singapore and I’ll try to collect more information to be more clear.

The Engine-pool will be the acme in Singapore one of the most beautiful, choreographic and spectacular Gp. It is the first nighttime Gp and has opened a new era of visibility. I am pleased to recall that all this is feasible thanks to an Italian group from Romagna, DZ Engineering. That of Singapore is a circuit with a lot of unpredictability. The Marina Bay, with its 5065 mt and its 23 bends (13 on the left, 10 on the right) is the most demanding circuit of the World Championship, as drivers themselves declare. Even more than Montecarlo. It has all the complications of a town circuit: white strips of road sign, drains and safety-car. And we have to add also the humidity (around 80%) and outdoor temperatures around 35°C. Reliability will be the center of attention even due to haze and pollution that could “smother” the engines.

There are many unknowns that will make the week-end opened to any scenario, even if Mercedes remains the favorite with the usual internal battle between Hamilton and Rosberg. Nico has to be competitive at his best to keep the World Championship alive. On the shoulders of Hamilton and Rosberg I hope to see a growing Ferrari that has to halve its gap from Mercedes. Be careful about Red Bull, even if surely it won’t have any update until the end of the World Championship. Toro Rosso will try to gain that points that it has missed so far due to its lack of reliability. Force India instead is going above its expectations. About tires, Pirelli will suggest its Super-soft and Soft, as it did in 2014. Last year Hamilton won with the SS-SS, he mounted the Soft tires only in the last 10 laps.

Kart- Good results at Le Mans for Negro and Vigorito with OK1

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The prestigious Le Mans international circuit has staged the International KZ2 Super Cup and the World KZ Champs. To defend the colors of Minardi Management, Riccardo Negro and Gianni Vigorito were on the starting grid of the trans-alpine circuit with the material of OK1 managed by Lorenzo Foschiani who belongs to the IPKarting group that also contains the brands Praga and FK.
A useful week-end for both Riccardo (KZ2) who defends again the color of an official group thanks to Iame and Gianni (KZ). They have been both maker of a forced break that kept them away from high level contests.

After a long “ride” and a grid with more than 100 drivers, final has opened up its door to Riccardo Negro thanks to the 23th absolute place gained in Pre-final (16th in group 1). In final he made a great recover proving to be
able to work for the top 10 having run with just a tenth of a second slower than the best performance in the race.
Unfortunately the sleeve of the boiling water broke forcing him to retreat. After taking part in WSK Super Master Series, Gianni Vigorito, pushed by TM and managed by Udine’s FG Racing, became protagonist along with OK1 of an important progression in KZ queen category . To defend himself against “the legends” of karting Gianni has quickly adapted also to Bridgestone tires and after having found a good setup, he closed his experience in the world championship with a 23th absolute place.

“Run in a KZ Championship is great and I can only be satisfied about this week-end. I have been working in a good way with my team and now we are on the right path. I was worried about Bridgeston tires, but I succeeded to adapt and after a couple of laps I found the right setup” Gianni Vigorito comments.
“First rounds have just been trial stage leaving aside the fine tuning. The very uncertain weather didn’t help me, but with the 16th place in Pre-Final I succeeded in gaining the Final. In the meanwhile the trail has dried and my pace was good in those conditions, unfortunately the breaking of the sleeve boiling water forced me to an untimely withdrawal” Riccardo Negro comments.

“I am really happy about Riccardo’s and Gianni’s behavior on the track. After several months of forced stop, they resumed to compete at a very very high level. Particularly, the doors of an official team have opened up to Negro after more than 9 months. He quickly found again the pace and the strength as his excellent chronometric times have demonstrated till the end, running just a tenth of a seconds slower than the best performance. Unlucky the breaking of the sleeve prevented him from a good final result. Also Vigorito has done very well in his first KZ experience, both on wet and dry conditions . He managed in a good way the demanding Japanese tires, after having run the entire season using LeCont. He found in a few laps a good setup” Alberto Tonti analyzed.

“We must be satisfied about what happened on the track. Find the pace after such a long stop period isn’t easy. Le Mans has been the first event of high level under our management and it will be just the start. Riccardo and Gianni have demonstrated to deserve important stages” manager from Faenza, Giovanni Minardi, analyzes.