F1 – Road to…Mexico

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Formula 1 is arranging its return to the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit of Mexico City, 23 years after the last edition marked by Ayrton Senna’s tremendous accident and Williams driver Mansell’s victory ahead of his team-mate Riccardo Patrese.

We will be back in this historic circuit, whose most dangerous and spectacular segment, the Peraltada (bend 14) leading into the straight road of the finish line and to the first right bend, set of a lot of challenges and accidents, has been modified. An “half-circle” where once you had to speed up in order to make the difference. With the new layout, in zone 3, the baseball stadium will be crossed by the variants 12-13-14 that lead into the original circuit.

It will also be an excellent test-bed for the power-units because the 4304 meters (to race 71 times) are situated 2300 meters above sea level, a never-tested altitude that could cause some competitiveness and reliability complications. We will have also to pay attention to the weather. After an heavy rain in Texas, dry free practices and qualifying with a wet race are expected, with temperatures around 22-23° C. Almost the opposite of seven days ago. For Mexico, Pirelly confirms Austin’s Soft and Medium tyre compounds.

On track the attention will be focused on the challenge between Rosberg and Vettel for the second place. Mercedes and Ferrari standard-bearers will certainly arrive with a conflicting mood. Seb, ahead by 4 points is just back from the podium after an amazing recover with a Nico burnt by Hamilton’s victory. At Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz jr will continue to follow Lotus now in sixth place. Without all its stability complications, STR could easily fight with Force India. Perez will do the honors also thanks to his good last results. At Haas, next to Grosjean, Gutierrez could be announced.

From a technical/political point of view, the discussions about Red Bull engine will go on. Honda would have come itself forward finding Ron Dennis’ veto. Instead, Renault is waiting public apology and some head to blow up at RBR. Considering that we are at the end of October it is a complicated situation.

Happy Birthday, Bernie

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Remembering fondly your special telegram for my 50s: Bernie, well done! Your 85 are fabulous.

F1 – Pierluigi Martini "I am working for a Minardi day at Imola"

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Pierluigi Martini is the favourite driver by fans. In a challenge on fb that has involved all the drivers who have run for the color of Minardi Team during the twenty one seasons of the stable from Faenza in the F1 world Championship, Pierluigi Martini, 54 years old, has vanquished his competitors. “It could not be otherwise. Pierluigi has ruced with us more than 100 GP contributing to write in good part Minardi Team F1 story. Today we are still united by a strong friendship. He would have deserved to win more successes in his long career” Gian Carlo Minardi comments.

He has raced for the Team founded by Gian Carlo Minardi 107 F1 GP in 119 bringing on track the first single-seater signed by Minardi Team in 1985. His path has gone on from 1988 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1995. Also the first point in a world championship has been signed by Pierluigi in 1998 in Detroit. After saying goodbye to the Circus, in 1999 he imposed himself on Le Mans 24 hours.

This year he has come back in a collectors’ Minardi cockpit. During Austria GP week-end he got behind the M185 wheel, while during the Goodwood festival of speed, Paul and Graham North’s M189 was back to rumble (see the photo gallery).

“As soon as I have got in the cockpit I felt right at home. As if time had stopped running and I had got out from the single-seater the day before. My M189 was like a custom-tailored suit. Those car were very smaller than today’s F1 cars, and it seemed to be in direct contact with the asphalt. Moreover, your head was completely out from the cockpit and you had a great view. I have immediately remembered the good times spent with that car, but also the hard ones. The car was very rigid and it was crazy to drive. Small wheel, three pedals and manual transmission. If you were not physically prompt it was the car which drive you and not vice versa”. An enthusiastic Pierluigi Martini remembers. He said us that he has been working also for a new proposal.“I am accomplishing the restoration of my M189. We are finishing the engine electronics and along with Gian Carlo Minardi I am planning to organize a Minardi day in Imola mobilizing all the Minardi people. A great day in a car racing circuit with all the F1 Minardi cars and more“.

F1 – US GP: SCORECARDS

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Evaluating a funny GP like that in Austin is always a pleasure. I offer my congratulations to Hamilton for his third World title, but I give the highest mark to:

Sebastian Vettel – 9 maker of a perfect race along which he push his Ferrari to the limit without a sole mistake. Forced to start in 13 due to the replacement of his engine, he succeeded recovering till third place smelling the second one. Despite complicated conditions he has been impeccable in every situation fighting with any means. Like certain champions he can bring out the best in his Ferrari differently to his drive-mate.

Max Verstappen – 8+ once again he showed us what he is made of, especially with his excellent takeoffs.

Carlos Sainz Jr – 8 he went trough some mistakes which strengthened and allowed him to close a great race. Both he and his team-mate are taking STR towards an un-hoped sixth place in spite of a loss of points due to reliability.

Lewis Hamilton – 7,5 we have always to remember the car he has at his disposal. Surely, last week-end he has not been impeccable. Anyway I congratulate with him for his third title.

Sergio Perez – 7 another race where the Mexican driver proved his nature and to be good at. Along with Hulkenberg, he is taking Force India to unhoped levels: the fifth place is strengthened.

Daniel Ricciardo – 7 I liked very much the Australian driver both in qualifying and on race. As long as he could he fought like a lion proving to be at play even in difficult conditions.

Daniil Kvyat – 6 what a pity his juvenile mistake with which he canceled what he had well done till that moment.

Nico Rosberg – 5,5 the German heavily disappointed me. With such a car to drive, sometimes he makes second-.driver’s mistakes. That is not really good.

Kimi Raikkonen- 5 due to my liking for Ferrari. Anyway it is time to stop defending him or someone have to explain what kind of technical complication occurred. The comparison with his team-mate is embarrassing.

F1 – Us Gp: THE POINT

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The Grand Prix of Austin offered us the most beautiful week-end of the season thanks to the hard weather conditions that affected the supremacy of Mercedes and gave us an amazing show.

Among over-takings, recoveries, and over-turnings at the top positions, Mercedes has brought another double-victory home. Once again Lewis Hamilton won the race claiming his third world title and closing the championship. Nico Rosberg attempted to win but he could not do anything, his season has surely been under expectations.With the wet track Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat had hoped. The Australian driver, before dropping to rear positions and closing in tenth overpowered by Alonso on final, has led the race for some laps.

Now all the attention will focus towards the challenge between Rosberg-Vettel for the second place in the world championship where Nico has everything to loose: closing behind a Ferrari driver would be a great defeat to him. Masterful race for Vettel who springing from the 13th place was able to recover till the podium closing a few tenths of a second from Nico. Also Sainz’s recover was amazing. From the last place he has recovered till the sixth place closing the last week-end of Toro Rosso which has almost reached the podium with Verstappen. Essential points for STR from the point of view of the World Championship because it has approached the sixth place of Lotus. Jenson Button’s sixth place with his McLaren ahead of Maldonado’s Lotus proves how this race has been odd and affected by the heavy rain in the morning.

With all the titles already assigned we’ll be back on track in a week for the Mexican GP, the new calendar event. Congratulations to 2015 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

F1 – Road to…Austin

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The Circus has said goodbye to Russia and flown to the Us in Austin, one of the best Tilke circuit: 5500 technical meters with twenty bends for fifty six laps. It should be more hot than Sochi even if it is going to rain on Friday and Saturday.

Pirelli will bring his Soft and Medium tyres, tyre-compunds non-optimal for teams like Ferrari. So we will have a lot of unknowns and unpredictable moments. With the challenge for the title already closed in favor of Hamilton who needs just a second place to prove himself World Champion for the third time, all the attention will be focused on Rosberg and Vettel’s challenge for the second place. For the German driver at Ferrari it would be an unexpected goal, while Rosberg has much to lose towards his team-mate and his team.

If the technical aspect of this grand prix will focus on the struggle between the two standard-bearers at Mercedes and at Ferrari, from a political point of view, the substantial changes proposed by engine suppliers will be the main topic. Having these proposals to be endorsed by the F1 Commission, all the teams will take part in several meetings trying to find the indispensable unanimity. From my personal point of view these proposals are fair because development, growth and research are all part of Constructors’ DNA. Nothing should be done, anyway, at the expense of Customer-teams which deserve equal regard. Only this way they can level performances on track. The soap opera about Red Bull engine continues. I think both RB and TR will stay with Renault because times are too tight to create two different gear-boxes.

Returning to the circuit, we will have seen Raffaello Marciello behind Sauber wheel for the fourth time. I have been stressing the importance for each team of dedicating a car to young drivers for years. “Lello” has came from a complicated GP2 season, I hope he will prove his real worth because he has all what it takes to reach F1.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Joao Vieira in action with JD FR 2.0

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At the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera circuit, Joao Vieira has taken his first steps driving an Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. Among the 28 drivers who have taken part of the first day of collective tests, the Brazilian driver has got behind the wheel of JD Motorsport team’s car for a first contact with this single-seater car, after having filed away his Tricolor Formula 4 season. 

For Joao it has been the first contact with the Spanish circuit and the single-seater which animates the trans-alpine brand, with the purpose of first evaluations in view of 2016.This first contact has been characterized by uncertain weather with a wet track in the morning and a dry one in the afternoon that have not anyway let Joao to make mistakes.“It was a really useful day to me because I had the opportunity to test a totally new car. Renault is more aerodynamic than Taurus F4. You can feel it especially in bend. Also the engine is more powerful. We are working for 2016 and in the next few weeks we are going to test another car to evaluate the best choice”,  Minardi Management driver Joao Vieira comments.

“We can only be glad about Joao’s work. Despite the changing conditions of the track have made his first contact more difficult,he has done well anyway not making any mistakes. Everything was new to him, from the track to the car.  We have to thank Renault for its invite and JD team for its work. We are looking around in view of 2016 and in the next few weeks we are going to test another car” manager Giovanni Minardi and Alberto Tonti comment. 

A.A.A. Formula 1 for sale

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Without being denied by Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, the possibility of a new F1 owner has been back in the limelight in the last few days. “There are three groups interested in purchasing F1 and there will be a new owner within the end of the year”. Mr. E would keep his position as he has declared himself. “The Groups interested in acquiring F1 royalties asked me to keep my role”.

At present the Circus is under the control of CVC capital Partners which would be willing to transfer 30% of its assets. According to rumors, among the candidates, there would be the current owner of the most famous American football team, Stephen Ross’ Miami Dolphins, along with the sheiks of Qatar who already own Paris Saint German.

Some time ago also Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull and Toro Rosso stable has been mentioned. A name that manager from Faenza Gian Carlo Minardi really appreciates as he declared at www.minardi.it.“There is no question, we need a charismatic man with exceptional business and marketing skills. Mateschitz has demonstrated to be very capable. At this time, F1 needs someone able to attract new audience”. Surely there would be some problems with the ownership of his two F1 teams. 

F1 – Ecclestone "Red Bull and Toro Rosso won't leave F1"

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Mr Bernie Ecclestone is sure: Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso won’t leave F1 World Championship even if they are now without an engine for next season after their break with Renault.

In the last two weeks, Red Bull staff, from Marko Horner to Newey, have threatened by the press to leave the Circus after the refusal of Mercedes and Ferrari who are not willing to sell their latest PU models. The soap opera seems to have come to an end. Red Bull would got back in touch with Renault which asks for a public letter of apology for the treatment they have received by “The Soft-drinkers” in the last few months. Maranello’s doors should open for Toro Rosso even if there are technical complications not easy to solve because the team from Faenza uses the same transmission of Red Bull Racing. A new development would involve a considerable amount of time and money.

“The risk of a defection was high, but in view of recent events I think it can be considered avoided” Mr. E has commented on Autosport. FIA and Mr. Ecclestone refer especially to article 23.5 of sport regulation where it is stated that from 2016 to 2020 only the power unit validate by the Federation will be usable.

At present the deadline to freeze the engines is on February 28 2016. Then it will not be possible to improve them. Gian Carlo Minardi stressed this perspective already on 30 September commenting Red Bull situation ”On February 28th 2016 engines meant to be used during the season will have to be deposited and frozen.Not being able to use tokens for developing their PU along the season, the official teams and their customers will have the same power unit and, unlike this season, diversify supplies won’t be possible.In my opinion, the use of 2015 PU is unlikely, unless some change in regulation coming from constructors’ meeting in Ginevra, that should also pass the examination of the Formula One Commission”.

According to last rumors, at yesterday’s meeting in Ginevra, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda expressed their willing to avoid the freezing and to update their unities during 2016 (32 tokens would have been asked). Basically like this year. This way we could have official engines and customers. An evolution like this would be really favorable for Honda and Renault in a strong technical delay respect to Mercedes and Ferrari. We have to applaud the fair-play of Mercedes which probably will keep its leadership having important developments aside. But there is more. There is the willing to modify article 23.5 of sport rules so to supply 2005 power units.

We have to keep in mind that this kind of proposals should be discussed by F1 Commission, and approved jointly by all the teams.

F1 – Russian Gp: Scorecards

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 Let’s grade this grand prix that impressed us till the last lap with his amazing show.

Pirelli – 10 due to the renewal of its partnership with F1 for other three years. They are taking their technology and the Italian brand around the world. It is a great satisfaction for our motor sport. They have been able to satisfy all the needs, as the Gp in Sochi demonstrates. They have been working not only for a technological earning but also for the show: a very important move that stresses Italian engagement in Motor Sport. Made in Italy is strongly present in the Circus with Brembo, Sparco, and a lot of helmets suppliers. Unluckily we have not a driver yet…

Lewis Hamilton – 8,5 overpowered in qualifying and at the start by the unlucky Nico Rosberg, he has been excellent in race even if the fastest lap was signed by Vettel.

Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 fabulous in race despite Saturday’s complications. He has signed the fastest lap right at the end. I hope Ferrari has figured out its tyre warming problem because Seb has raced faster with Soft tyres.

Nico Rosberg – 8 a pole position with a perfect lap, he has been excellent at the start. Unluckliy he lost any chance to keep open the World Championship due to a clamorous problem linked to the break of the acceleration pedal. As usual, really unlucky. Surely he is not a second driver even if he has been below expectations for a year.

Sergio Perez – 7,5 he has been able to manage in an excellent way his car despite an hazardous and too early pit stop. Bottas and Raikkonen have passed him but till that moment he has been driving very well closing one of his best race.

Daniel Ricciardo – 7 as long as his car has been working, he did well despite some difficulties. Carlos Sainz – 7 after Saturday’s accident he wanted absolutely participate in the race. Unluckily, once again along with Toro Rosso, he has lost important points due to reliability. They have to work hard and I think the accident could be a possible consequence of brakes complications.

Max Verstappen – 7 his last recover demonstrates t that Toro Rosso is a remarkable car After having fallen in last positions for an early pit stop, he has recovered and reached point zone taking advantage of a fallacious Fernando Alonso.

Felipe Massa – 6,5 after a lackluster qualifying, with his “grand-pa” experience in F1 he recovered achieving final fourth place ( from the fifteenth) for Williams also thanks to the double Finnish KO.

Daniil Kvyat – 6,5 he has brought important points to Red Bull that is still waiting for an engine. The fifth place is important to him and also in view of future developments. Valtteri Bottas – 6 this grade is due to qualifying. In race he hasn’t taken advantage of Saturday’s result.

Kimi Raikkonen – 5 beyond the start he has made some mistakes, like the collision with Bottas. You can’t jeopardize your race and that of a rival f yours this way. His attempt could have been good for the show but he has committed a heavy misjudgment. 

F1 – Russian Gp – THE POINT

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The spectacular nature of this Grand Prix has surprised us. In a way this Russian week-end has been one of the best of the entire season thanks to all the vicissitudes that have occurred, starting from the fuel on track during free practice and bad weather till the extraordinary crash of Sainz during FP3 (luckily without consequences). The race itself has been rich in overtakings, coup de théatre till the last lap with the contact between Raikkonen and Bottas who were fighting for the third place along with Perez.

Dismissed from hospital, Carlos Sainz Jr, has came back in the cockpit of his Toro Rosso in time for the race becoming the protagonist of an unbelievable race as long as his car has worked. Unfortunately the brake system has failed. What a pity Max Verstappen’s race that has been affected by a collision (inculpable) during the first lap that has forced him to close the race outside zone points.

It has been a very unlucky day for Nico Rosberg who could have kept open the final result of the World Championship. After his good pole position he has been forced to retire because of the breakdown of the accelerator pedal just few laps from the start.Once again, Hamilton has managed the race to his liking achieving a new victory, but he did not seem at his best as the better lap signed by Vettel (his 51th lap) demonstrates.

Thanks to his second place, the German at Ferrari oversteps the other German at Mercedes in overall standings and opens a good challenge in view of the upcoming four events.Ferrari confirms itself as the second power of the World Championship, at ease with Soft and Supersoft tyres despite quite low temperatures. A good race also for Kimi Raikonnen, maker of numerous over-takings, also at the limit of rules.

What a pity the collision that has annihilated his compatriot at Williams delivering the third place directly to Sergio Perez. This accident has been under investigation. After having questioned both drivers, Commissioners have inflicted a penalization of 30” to the driver of Ferrari who has fallen in eighth.

Excellent performance for the Mexican driver and Force India with their risky strategy that consisted in a sole change of tyre at the 13th lap. Perez has been great in managing his car despite tyre complications donating an important podium to his team after his team-mate Hulkenberg had been forced to leave the track due to a contact with Ericsson’s Sauber. The Swiss team, anyway, has gained some points thanks to the sixth place of Nasz who closed behind Kvyat and ahead of Maldonado, Raikonen and the couple of McLaren Button-Alosno who close the top ten and the point zone.

With the penalty to Kimi, Mercedes mathematically wins his scond Constructors’ World Championship. In fifteen days we’ll come back on track with the Us Gp.

Lamborghini test for Karol Basz

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In the circuit of Vallelunga, close to Rome, new KF World Champion Karol Basz has measured himself with a Super Trofeo Lamborghini.

For the talented driver from Cracow, who already belongs to Minardi Management world, it has been the first contact with both “Piero Taruffi” circuit and the powerful super-car from Sant’Agata Bolognese.”It has been a very important day for Karol, he had the opportunity to measure himself with a very selective and demanding car as Lamborgini is, in a technical circuit like that in Vallelunga. I have to thank Antonelli Motorsport team represented by Marco Antonelli and Lamborghini for this valued opportunity. It is the first test in view of 2016 and many others will come after in order to define next Championship” manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

“I am very happy about this day because I immediately felt at ease with the car. Everything was new to me, starting from the car till the circuit.Lamborghini is really an extraordinary car. Its power and braking system really impressed me. In addition to the last seasonal kart events, we will plan other test-days” an enthusiastic Karol Basz comments.

F1 – Road to…Russia

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F1 has returned to Russia for the second time. Surely the first edition of this Grand Prix didn’t enter into the annals of history as the most engaging race, but this year things could change also thanks to Pirelli who has chosen to bring the Soft and Supersoft tyres. We expect to clock better times of 3 secs.

Unless cataclysms, It will be another Mercedes week-end, indeed they  could already gain the Constructors’ World Championship title. Regarding drivers, for Nico is really the last chance. Hamilton has a psychological head start, five second places would be sufficient to be again the champion. Behind theirs back we should find Ferrari (at ease with these tyre compunds even if temperatures will be around 15-20°C) that will have to look over its shoulders not only because of Williams, but also because Red Bull and Lotus. I hope Enston’s team has found a final solution with Renault in order to plan their future at their best and close the season with greater confidence.

We are talking about an half-urban circuit with 18 bends (12 on the right, 6 on the left) characterized by the most long bend in the whole world championship that puts under stress the tyres. Approaching the last part of the season, the forces at play are almost outlined even if Ferrari must keep improving to get closer to Mercedes. They can’t lower their guard.

Behind the curtains, the negotiations will go on because Red Bull and Toro Rosso are still without an engine.Time begins to run low even f they have the resources to recover lost time.Last rumor  talks about a Toro Rosso very close to Maranello’s Power-Unit and a Red Bull that would have reopened its negotiations with Mercedes trying to bypass Toto Wolff. It’s time to clarify.