F1 | GP MONTE CARLO, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “IT IS A RACE THAT IS RUN ON SATURDAY”

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Monte Carlo is a race that is run on Saturday with qualifying. You can put all the pit stops you want, but the only variables that can possibly change the result are accidents and safety-cars.

Monte Carlo is a race that enhances the skills of the drivers and, since we are talking about professionals, they were great at not making mistakes, as well as being a stage for sponsors and glamour.

This new regulation did nothing but make interpreting the race difficult and probably someone had even forgotten it. Compared to past editions we had no upheavals. I have the habit of following the GPs by also keeping an eye on the times and gaps, but as a mere spectator it is not easy. I dare not imagine in the grandstands.

However, congratulations must be made to McLaren, especially Norris for the pole position and win, as well as to Leclerc. There is no use complaining because he did very well by taking second place in both qualifying and the race. Hamilton paid the four tenths of a second gap from pole, that is then the gap of the Ferrari. Therefore, he carried out a masterpiece taking it to the front row.

Congratulations also go to the Racing Bulls, for both the race and the strategies that placed the two cars in the points zone, just like Williams and Haas that finished the race with Ocon in seventh place. Important points for all of them. Certainly, the two Mercedes failed, authors of an inexplicable strategy, and Fernando Alonso, forced to retire due to a technical problem.

We say a quick goodbye to Monte Carlo move on to Barcelona where the new TD will be introduced. Involving all the teams, I believe little will change.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP IMOLA, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “242.000 TIMES THANK YOU”

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The Grand Prix concluded three fantastic days at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit for both the excellent weather conditions and the 242,000 people who invaded not only the circuit, but also the city of Imola. As Formula Imola we are very satisfied with this excellent result that rewards nine months of intense work. The invasion of the track at the end was an indescribable spectacle.

As far as the race was concerned, I must say that the first bend was worth almost the entire GP with Verstappen’s wonderful overtake of Piastri, as well as the last ten laps with the Red Bull driver setting four fastest laps in five rounds. We saw a few overtakes with a GP played on strategies and on the Safety-car. I am sure that the public enjoyed itself and appreciated the show. It is the source of great pride and satisfaction. Now we will see if we are ready for possible future choices.

At the end we also saw Norris overtake his teammate. I believe that this was mainly an overtaking move dictated by strategies since Piastri was under investigation and risked a 5” penalty. Although this time they could do nothing against Red Bull and Verstappen, McLaren continues to exude peace of mind.

Positive signs also came from Ferrari that, as far as I am concerned, produced its best race of the season. There was a lot of talk about a disaster in qualifying but let us not forget that the gap from pole was just six tenths of a second. Currently six tenths are not a few to make up, but it is the confirmation that it only takes a nothing to be kept out of Q3. It set up a good strategy by differentiating between the two drivers, conveying an internal peace of mind that I was not ready for. A fourth and sixth place that can be read with confidence for the future.

It was also a positive weekend for Williams that took fifth place with Albon, although there was no lack of mistakes from Sainz, who was eighth nevertheless and in the points zone at the end of the race. A more than positive ninth place for Red Bulls with Hadjar. I like this young man more and more and I am sure that he will make people talk about him in the near future.

Tsunoda completes the top 10. Besides the bad accident in qualifying, he completed his “task” despite a significant gap from his teammate. I think I see Red Bull on the rise compared to the start of the season.

At Imola, Franco Colapinto made his return to Formula 1. Returning in the seventh round with a “different” car is never easy, especially with these regulations that do not allow you to train on the track in the correct way. Not even when you are called upon to replace a colleague after the start of the championship. He made a major mistake in qualifying, but in the race, he honourably took the car home. He must be left to work in peace and given time to grow. Experience cannot be bought at the supermarket.

They go back to the track in a week’s time, in Monte Carlo, and then on to Barcelona.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | WAITING FOR IMOLA, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “ALMOST 180,000 TICKETS SOLD. COME AND SUPPORT FERRARI AND KIMI ANTONELLI”

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We are now a week away from the Formula Grand Prix in Imola, the seventh round of the World Championship and the first stop in Europe, scheduled from May 16 to May 18 at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit.

We caught up with Gian Carlo Minardi, President of Formula Imola, who is engaged, together with his team, in organizing this extraordinary event. “We are working hard to give all the fans who come to Imola a great show and to make it harder for those who will have to make the final decision on the future of this Grand Prix. Today we are close to crossing the 180,000-ticket mark and we are optimistic about breaking all the attendance records over the three days. It would be an incredible and important result not only for the Circuit, but for all our territory. We want to show everyone that Italy is number one,” Commented Minardi.

In addition to the activities on the track, Imola will offer a schedule of events planned to involve the fans, families, citizens and visitors. “We are completing the FUN ZONE – open from Thursday – where, amongst other things, it will be possible to meet and talk with the protagonists, from the drivers to the Team Principals, without forgetting Imola’s city centre, the beating heart of the weekend together with the Circuit very equipped with amusements, entertainment and tastings”

There will be concerts, DJ sets, shows, talks, museums, artistic installations, driving simulators, activities for children, exhibitions dedicated to the history of Formula 1 and the great champions of the past, photographic exhibitions, historical models on display, together with the possibility of thematic guided tours between engines and culture, with extraordinary openings of the city’s venues, educational workshops, markets, book presentations, with Made in Italy in the centre in all its forms.

“We have designed a show within a show. The enthusiast and fan can go to the Circuit to follow the activities on the track with the Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup races. Those accompanying him can enjoy an equally entertaining weekend regardless of Formula 1. Many special trains are available for this event, thus avoiding the stress of traffic. Imola’s railway station and the main entrance to the Circuit, located in Viale Dante, are just over 1,500m from each other, and along the way you pass through the historic city centre with all its attractions.

The engines will be switched on at 9.55 on Friday morning with the first hour of free practice of F3, F2 (11:05) and F1 (13:30) to be switched off only with the conclusion of the Made in Italy and the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. “Friday promises to be very interesting. All the teams will bring many new developments onto the track which will be tested in free practice, and it will be very interesting to follow. Furthermore, it is the day that costs the least. We are very satisfied with the presales, and I would like to hear, together with the Ferrari red tide, the support for our driver Kimi Antonelli even if he is racing in the colours of the rival team Mercedes,” concluded a smiling Minardi.