F1 | Hungarian GP – Preview

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The Hungaroring is more like a karting track than a real racetrack due to his numerous turns that put cars, drivers, and tires to a hard test.

Pirelli will take the Medium, Soft, and Supersoft tire compounds with different strategies at Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull regarding “the yellow” and “the red”.

In 2015, Sebastian Vettel won ahead both Red Bulls, also thanks to some technical problems that affected Hamilton’s and Rosberg’s Mercedes. This year, the scenario could be different because of a Red Bull in strong growth, as Max Verstappen stressed in Brisighella at the prize giving of the Bandini trophy.Ferrari is in a delicate moment with some diatribes, which will surely lead to important changes in the Sports Management in the upcoming weeks. The top brass in Maranello met Ross Brawn, but so far the smoke seems very “grey”. They need a strong personality that can return a certain reliability to the project. Even Sebastian Vettel begins to get agitated… I can already see a difficult 2017…

We are getting to the seasonal turning point. Now we go downhill toward the finish line and the points begin weighting twice. At Mercedes, they are starting again “from scratch” with two drivers divided by just a point. Ferrari will have to safeguard itself from a menacing Verstappen and from a Ricciardo looking for his redemption. The hot could be an ally for Maranello, but (so far) they forecast a variable weather.

Ferrari calls Ross Brawn. "Grey smoke"

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After starting as a second power in the World Championship with the ambitious goal of equaling and surpassing Mercedes, at the middle of the championship Ferrari has to safeguard itself from Red Bull Racing that is growing fast. Max Verstappen, who was in Brisighella to receive the Bandini Trophy, spoke about a Red Bull ahead the Red. In few days, we will have the Hungarian GP, an important testbed for team principal Maurizio Arrivabene.

The situation in Maranello, unfortunately, does not seem serene and some rumors talk about a Sergio Marchionne ready for important changes (the latest of many) in the Sports Management. Some rumors, that are getting more and more persistent, tell of a meeting in Forte dei Marmi for convincing Ross Brawn to make a sensational return. “Ferrari lacks a reference point and since he is a strong and charismatic character, Brawn could play this role, although so far the smoke has been gray. They need to give again some reliability to a milieu animated by some diatribes.In the coming weeks there will certainly be fundamental changes, although I see a 2017 already compromised. Vettel himself starts pawing and could look to other shores”, Gian Carlo Minardi explains.

Last year, Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari won the Hungarian GP ahead of both Red Bull cars. “An important result, but it was the outcome of some problems at Mercedes. Now, I see Red Bull in a great growth that has managed to exploit occasions at its best, as Verstappen himself stressed at the Bandini Trophy. I hope that this hot can give a hand to Ferrari in calming the spirits down.

OK safety, but don't overdo it

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The start of the British GP behind the safety car is provoking a lot of discussion. Since it had rained few minutes before the green traffic light, Charlie Whiting started the race behind the safety car, withdrawing the safety car not before the fifth lap.

Neither the fans nor the insiders, from the drivers up to the Team Principals, have appreciated his decision. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen opposed this decision, complaining for a too delayed withdrawal. Maurizio Arrivabene agrees with them “In that moment it wasn’t raining so there wasn’t any danger. Formula 1 is the ultimate expression of Motorsport”. In his comment on the Grand Prix, Gian Carlo Minardi has already evaluated this choice negatively. “I could understand if we were in a preliminary championship where there are boys who have to cut their teeth, but here we were in a Formula 1 grand prix. It has seemed me an exasperated decision. We are overdoing safety” the manager from Faenza said and now widens his thought “Doing this way we risk to nullify the show and let go the fans. The same is true for the asphalted escape routes. Silvertsone remains a fascinating circuit, but it has lost something like many other circuits. All the drivers made some mistakes without paying any duties. We miss the gravel. The drivers are more confident and can allow themselves too many mistakes”, Minardi concludes.

F1 | Raikkonen's renewal, Minardi “A conservative choice”

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Sergio Marchionne and Maurizio Arrivabene renewed the agreement for next season with Kimi Raikkonen that will continue his work beside Sebastian Vettel. A decision that want to aim to a work continuity and puts a certain calmness into the team, differently from what is happening at Mercedes and red Bull with internal fight between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton on one side, between Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen on the other.

The arrival in Milton Keynes of a very young and fast Dutch driver is creating some problems to the Australian driver that started the season as a first driver. In just six events, Verstappen has already affected a win (in Spain) and two second places (in Austria and Great Britain) and now he is just 10 points away from his teammate in the overall standings. At Mercedes, there is an open fight and some nervousness between two drivers engaged in the struggle for the world title.

“The team wanted to privilege calmness in a hard moment with technical difficulties. I do not know how much it will an advantage in term of results. Honestly, I would have preferred a different choice, especially after seeing Verstappen’s effect at Red Bull. His arrival put on Ricciardo a lot of pepper that was useful to revitalize the situation with an amazing result. At Mercedes, in spite of a tense atmosphere, the challenge between the drivers forces to do always the best as we could also see last Sunday. Nico and Lewis ignored each other”, Gian Carlo Minardi says.

F1 | Silverstone GP – SCORECARDS

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Lewis Hamilton – 10 He could not do better this weekend. Absolutely a perfect race, but we have also to stress the result in qualifying. After achieving the pole position with a new record, his time was took away. Back on track, he managed to take the pole position again. He is in a great shape and did something exceptional for his fans.

Max Verstappen – 9 he troubled Daniel Ricciardo, managing to keep himself in the first positions not just in race but also in qualifying. An extraordinary race where he optimized his Red Bull that is improving race by race thanks to an almost perfect aerodynamics. This driver excites us not just for his leaps forward and overtakings but is also good at defending his position.

Nico Rosberg – 8,5 he was good at reacting to the new F1 phenomenon, in spite of his gearbox problems. It is a hard moment for him. If there is a problem, it always occurs to his Mercedes.

Daniel Ricciardo – 7,5 he struggled with tooth and nails, especially when the team asked him to push, after Nico Rosberg’ penalization. Anyway, he definitely lost the comparison with his teammate.

Sergio Perez – 7,5 once again he ended the race ahead of Hulkenberg and obtained precious points for force India. He strengthens his fifth place in the world championship.

Carlos Sainz – 7,5 for both qualifying and race. What a pity his mistakes at bend 1 that prevented him from struggling with Force India drivers.

Kimi Raikkonen – 7 too many mistakes, without them he would have had the chance to fight with Ricciardo. He brought home the fifth place after having hard time in overtaking Perez. The renewal did not give him a particular energy. Surely, the fault belongs also to a Ferrari that is not at its best.

Daniil Kvyat – 7 an important point for his state of mind in a hard time of his career.

Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button – 7 apart his mistake at bend 1 that prevented him from reaching the point zone, the Spanish driver signed some amazing lap times. The McLaren is growing on the frame side, and both Fernando and Jenson would deserve something more.

Sebastian Vettel – 6,5 in qualifying, he did not manage to stay ahead of his teammate and during the race made some mistakes. Surely, Ferrari did not support him and showed all its weaknesses.

 

F1 | British GP, Preview

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The biggest unknown in the British grand prix will be the tension at Mercedes after the contact between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at the last lap in Austria. We left the Red Bull Ring with many unknowns. On one hand, it can be a good thing to race again immediately, on the other hand there is a few time to calm everyone down. The team has to make important decisions to prevent these kind of episodes from happening again.

As usual, the weather will affect the race, with unexpected changes that bother the devised choices. We will get to a fast circuit where the aerodynamics has a certain importance. Mercedes will be the favored, and Ferrari will have to defend itself from a strongly growing Red Bull also backed by the French Power Unit. The tires brought by Pirelli and temperatures won’t favor the Red cars that will arrive in Silverstone with a new aerodynamics set.Last year, Williams emerged strongly both in qualifying and in race, even if this year, they seem to have more difficulties.

We have entered  a decisive month with four races in just five weekends. After Silverstone and before the summer break, we will race in Hungary and Germany. We will have a little time to react and to absorb the results in the best way. We could resolve a good chunk of the world championship in this month. We have to keep the head cool.

F1 | Austrian GP, SCORECARDS

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Max Verstappen – 9 he deserve the highest mark, thanks to an extraordinary race. Once again, he proved to be a racing bulldog in spite of his mistake on Friday.

Jenson Button – 8 thanks to his struggle, in spite a low-performing McLaren. A sixth place that counts as a victory.

Pascal Wehrlein 8, a point that is worth gold for him and for the little Manor that excluded Sauber from the top ten.

Lewis Hamilton – 8 good at the start. This time he did not any mistakes. I know to be against the tide, but I have not liked the play towards Rosberg, especially because it arrived at the last lap. This time, the luck backed him, and he brought the win home.

Kimi Raikkonen – 7 once again he completed his task without being trenchant. He gained the podium, thanks to the others. He never assaulted Verstappen seriously and when he tried to do so, he found the Dutch driver’s defense.

Romain Grosjean – 6,5 he is not in a winning team, but he took advantage of the occasion, bringing Haas important points for the championship.

Nico Rsberg – 6,5 I know to be against the tide, but in my opinion the fault must be split with Hamilton. Anyway, Nico have to start thinking to the world championship. A second place would have guaranteed him a more important booty in terms of points.

Daniel Ricciardo – 6 he definitely lost in the comparison with his teammate.

Felipe Massa – 6, the race of the Brazilian driver has been uncolored and little trenchant. He is definitely different compared to a year ago.

Nico Hulkenberg – 5 after an amazing qualifying, he lost his way during the race. It is a pity.

Sebastian Vettel – without judgement. He had some problems in the weekend and the tire explosion at race is not his fault. Anyway, a champion with his experience should intervene in team choices.

F1 | Austrian GP– Preview

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We are back to talk about Formula 1, after the time travel with the Historic Minardy Day in Imola. I take the opportunity to thank again everybody for the numerous presence in the paddock and on the grandstands. It has been such exciting to find how much the passion for the Minardi Team is still alive.

We get to Austria, into a historic circuit that managed to adapt itself to the new standards by growing exponentially and by reaching an audience ready to crowd the fields with tents, to spend the weekend eating and drinking all together. With its 4326 m, it is a short but demanding circuit. Especially at its first bend that is very insidious. Historically speaking, it is animated by weather conditions and we can have some downpours in the upcoming Saturday and Sunday.

Mercedes is still unbeaten, with a Ferrari looking for its identity, a Red Bull that usually does not manage to capitalize his potential and a Williams that goes with some up and downs. The new asphalt could represent an unknown for tires. Pirelli will bring tires Soft, Super Soft, and Ultra Soft. If we analyze team’s choices, we can notice some differences. At Mercedes, Hamilton and Rosberg have chosen 8 Ultra Soft tire compounds against 9 at Ferrari. A different strategy for Ricciardo and Verstappen who will have at their disposal just 7 “violet” sets.

Regarding RB, the confirmation of both drivers for the next two seasons is a surprise to me. A choice that bars the way to the Toro Rosso standard-bearers, changing the line followed to date. An estrangement signal from the satellite stable? Given the difficulties of some teams, Sauber and Force India in the first place, Ecclestone would like to review the division of television royalties. Again many topics. We have just to sit and see what will happen.

F1 | European GP, Baku – SCORECARDS

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Baku surprised me in a positive way. This atypical city circuit. The second seasonal race track by length, after Spa-Francorchamps, very fast, with a straight where engines go at full speed for 20”. It also received positive feedbacks by drivers and team principals.
Nico Rosberg – 9 on Saturday, he achieved an excellent pole position, after playing hide and seek with Hamilton putting him under pressure. Impeccable in race. A win that worth him heavy points for the World Championship.
Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 he is fighting with an undoubtedly inferior car than competitors, and I can hardly find out where is the main problem of this SF16-H. Compared with his team-mate, anyway, he manages the best.
Sergio Perez – 8,5 he is optimizing his Force India, darkening Hulkenberg out. Maker of an extraordinary season so far. A podium that becomes heavy points for a team in economic troubles.
Kimi Raikkonen – 8 commissioners used a too heavy hand. Against a Perez like this, I think he would have gained the third place anyway.
Lewis Hamilton – 6 scarcely a passing grade. Too many mistakes in qualifying that affected the race.
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen – 7,5 same grade for both Red Bull drivers, protagonists of different strategies. Once again, the Dutch driver gave us amazing overtaking.
Nico Hulkenberg – 6 he brings to Force India precious points, but lost the comparison with his team-mate.
Felipe Massa – 6 a score  achieved thanks to his experience, not  more.

F1 | European GP, Baku – THE POINT

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Critics and insiders have prized the circuit in Baku and its first Grand Prix. Surely, compared to what we watched in GP2 with the double win, pole-position, and fastest lap accomplished by an excellent Antonio Giovinazzi, we would have expected a more animated race. Contrary to predictions, all the drivers have been very capable because Baku has proved to be a demanding and atypical track, considering its length of six km and the very high speed reached (more than 375 km/h at the end of the long straight).

An impeccable Nico Rosberg signs the pole position and the win, managing to keep far away his competitors. Red Bull payed its technical choice betting everything on qualifying and went missing. Well Ferrari that after sacrificing Saturday’s free practice, made its best in race with the excellent second place of Sebastian Vettel. Another amazing race for Sergio Perez that completed the podium, in spite of an economically troubled Force India, he exploited at his best both his Mercedes engine and the shell, blacking Nico Hulkenberg out. The German car company has placed six cars in the first ten positions.

Weekend out of shape, instead, for Lewis Hamilton. Protagonist of numerous mistakes in qualifying that have also jeopardized the result in race. He did not match up with his prize list, but brought home important points for the Championship.

As I have stressed in the first part, I must congratulate Antonio Giovinazzi for his two wins in GP2. In race 2 he was protagonist of an exemplar recover, performing an extraordinary overtaking in the final that worth him the second success in the weekend. Surely, he is ready for Formula 1.

I want just to invite you next Saturday at the Circuit of Imola for the Minardi Day, a sport day devoted to all aficionados and fans. In this day, we will have the chance to watch a lot of Formula 1 cars on track and more than 50 cars from the World Championship thanks to the exhibition “From Minardi to Toro Rosso” that retraces over 30 years of passion. Everyone is invited.

F1 | European GP – Preview

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Formula 1 is getting ready to come in Baku, onto an anomalous circuit, 6000 meters length that make it one of the longest in the World Championship and a straight of over 2 kms where incredible speeds will be reached , more than 340 km/h, to face then hard braking. The old city’s segment is also marked out with a very tight street, 7 meters without any space for mistakes.

These are all the unknowns that lead to a grand prix rich in surprises and to a variety of possible results in which the safety car could work overtime. Doing any predictions is difficult, or impossible, because we have no reference points. Surely, a well-performing car as Mercedes gives an advantage to its drivers who will have to focus mainly on the track. As usual, the attention will focus on Ferrari that comes from a not easy moment, excluding its second place in Montreal. They will have to keep working to get close to Hamilton and Rosberg, paying attention to a growing Red Bull. Matching up to Nico Rosberg in Canada, Verstappen proved all his worth once again. Unfortunately, in this moment, at Ferrari there is only Sebastian Vettel.

The other unknowns are the tires. Even in this case, Mercedes and Ferrari have chosen two different strategies. Pirelli will bring Medium, Soft, and Super Soft tire compounds. Vettel and Raikkonen will have at their disposal 7 sets of SuperSoft, 5 of Soft, and 1 set of Medium, instead Hamilton and Rosberg played a card with 8 sets of SuperSoft.

F1 | Canadian GP– SCORECARDS

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Lewis Hamilton – 9 he got the umpteenth start wrong. He has to work for eliminate this handicap.

Sebastian Vettel – 9 he definitely optimized what Ferrari put at his disposal, as a 59″ advantage “on Kimi Raikkonen proves. Excellent his start and his resolution in race. Up to the last lap, he tried to bother Hamilton in any way.

Valtteri Bottas – 8 the third place is worth a precious booty for his Williams.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 excellent start without forgetting the amazing duel with Nico Rosberg that he won in spite of an inferior PU.

Nico Rosberg – 7 he did his homework. Good at the start, even if, in my opinion, he seemed awed by what happened in Spain. He made a race in comeback, but along his way he found a great Verstappen.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 with his sixth place he took some precious points to Ferrari, but his gap from Vettel is disarming and it strongly calls into question his stay in “red”, and even in the Circus.

Daniel Riciardo – 6 Out of form during all the weekend and under his teammate’s level. In spite of his confirmation up to 2018 by the team, the irritability that you can sense in his announcements also reflects itself on track.

Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Sergio Perez – 6 they end a demanding weekend in point zone. Montreal is a difficult track where you have to manage your car, fuel consumptions and tires.

F1 | Canadian GP – Gian Carlo Minardi's Preview

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We are talking about an extremely important Gran Prix because it will close the first third of the season. Mistakes excepted, Mercedes will start as the favourite once again, with a good internal struggle between Rosberg and Hamilton. Nico will have to try to restore his supremacy on Lewis who dominated the stage among the little roads of the princedom. Ferrari, back from two difficult grand prix has used some tokens to develop his Power-Unit and will have to regain its role as a second power in the world championship, a role currently assaulted by a Red Bull in strong growing. Since Montreal is a circuit where aerodynamics and brakes have a key role, Adrian Newey’s creature could reach the spotlight.

Given its geographical position and the lack of mountains, the weather can quickly change. Up to now, the weather forecasts talk about temperatures around 20°C, thus also the tires could make the difference.

At Williams they should pay attention to Force India and Toro Rosso. They will bring some updates that will be analyzed in the post GP, but in this moment the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull is too wide.

A GP rich in unknowns awaits us. Behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are ready to battle. We have just to watch the race starting at 20:00.