Archive for category: F1

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.

FIA – ZERO  what happened in Monza after the checkered-flag is really ridiculous. You can’t keep the whole paddock in suspense for two hours and a half about a supposed infraction by Mercedes and then put and end on the matter with nothing coming from it declaring that you are going to decide what to do in the future. Situations like these shouldn’t happen in F1 because they are an additional disorienting signal to the fans. There is a lack of fixed rules. Everything is dictated by improvisation and chance. You can’t call into question a sport result like that Hamilton and Mercedes achieved this way. It’s time to organize a permanent, competent, and full time technical staff. I had been perplexed by the fact that any communication about the inquiry was given only to Toto Wolff’s staff and not to journalists as well. I am not sure if a similar regard has ever been used also to all the other teams.

A scandalous FIA which carries itself iniquitously in minor formulas too. I experienced a blatant example of that exactly in Monza with GP3 Series when the car of Luca Ghiotto, who was leading the standings, was subjected to many controls to the limit of patience putting the driver under pressure. This kind of controls doesn’t usually involve his competitors for the title: strangely enough they run for Art Gran Prix.

Lewis Hamilton – 10 we have to reconfirm him as the top of the class. He had been able to manage his car at his liking, turning constantly 5 tenths of a second faster than Vettel and increasing his gap to 1” (that are Friday’s registered gaps) when the mysterious communication about the team arrived. Furthermore, as I was told, Mercedes would have finished the race with 9kg of gasoline on board. Really noteworthy.

Nico Rosberg – 8 he was really unlucky. Everything happens to him. Last week-end he was affected by a breakdown of his new generation PU being forced to run with a dated unit which had more than 4000 km on the shoulders. Despite that, he has been attacking the Ferrari driver gaining 3-4 tenth of a second per lap.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 he exploited as best he could the potential of his Ferrari taking it to the third place in general standings. He ended the race in the second place pushing to the maximum and resisting Rosenberg’s attacks.

Felipe Massa – 8 once again he finished ahead his team-mate taking his Williams on the podium and gaining some important points. A precious result even for his personal standing and for his reputation.

Valtteri Bottas – 7 with his fourth place he completed Williams’ good week-end, despite some mistakes at the box and his slow pit stops.

Sergio Perez -7 he and Nico Hulkenbeh took their Force in the top 10, strengthening the fifth lace in Constructor’s general standings. They gained points that will make a difference at the end of the season.

Daniel Ricciardo – Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr, Max Verstappen – 7 although being penalized by Reanult’s PU and being forced to start from the bottom, they have been able to recover. Ricciardo’s eight place is good. Unfortunately the bearers of Toro Rosso haven’t been collecting what they deserve. Surely the change of the motor unit will penalized them again. Verstappen would deserve half point more for his good time’s over-takings. The boy has been growing and now he is an adult.

Marcus Ericsson – 7 he has showed good things. He has very often outperformed his team-mate, Luiz Felipe Nasr, looking at the future he is undoubtedly one of the more interesting young.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 Great time in qualifying. He demonstrates how much is permitted to a driver who has gained respect. His mistake at the start is anyway unforgivable even if he then made a good recover arose from numerous over-takings against a series of car which are decisively not so well-performing as his Ferrari. He could have made change the team ‘s strategy. They could have attempted to “squeeze” Hamilon’s Mercedes.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team wins this year’s XXII edition of the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini trophy.
The prize dedicated to the unforgettable Italian driver will be collected by Toto Wolff, Executive director of the Star team, in the medieval village of Brisighella on 30 August. Moreover, Paddy Lowe, Technical manager of the group, will be honored with the Senate President medal.

As usual, many sportsmen and insiders emerging for their high quality and passion will be rewarded on this occasion.

That’s who will be awarded: Herman Rilke, the most eminent F1 circuit designer; National Cycling Ct Davide Cassani; illustrious Italian cameramen Franchino Scandinaro; former F1 Minardi’s designer, Gabriele Tredozi who is going to claim his prize driving a PS04 Minardi; Rai sport Journalist Sandro jacobini; journalist and director at Omnicose Franco Nunges; GP3 Aci Sport Team Italian driver Luca Ghiotto; RTL newscaster Florian Koing; driver and Sky sport columnist, Davide Valsecchi.

In such a charming setting, before such illustrious guests, Mercedes F1W05 Hybrid, 2014 World Champion sinle-seater, will be exhibited.

We remind to fans the Museum of F1 Champions’s Tracksuits and the attractive shows of classic cars: classic Mercedes and Fiat 500 ‘s parade.

With engines off for the summer break, www.Minardi.it has had the pleasure of meeting President of ACI Angelo Sticchi Damiani to comment along with him this first months of Aci Team Italia, and, of course, the future of the Italian GP at Monza.

This year you launched the Aci Team Italia Rally and Speed. On the front of speed we have Ghiotto and Marciello engaged respectively in GP3 and GP2 with Trident team. Can we make a first assessment?
The gained results clearly suggest that we are on the high road and we can say we achieved two important victory from now on. The first is against skepticism which has affected this project from the start. Always the same people.In particular some on line magazines passed from an initial irony to a general no-comment. Even so, I don’t expect any support from them. The majority of media and “authorized personnel” have soon understood that it was about the first steps of a serious project that will gain great results in the very near future. We achieved the second victory on the field making sure that the two guys at Trident could have a financial and communication support. So they could face as best as they can the season and gain good, sometimes excellent, results.

Talking of young, Marciello and Fuoco took part in the F1 tests driving a Ferrari. Luca Ghiotto instead, leading GP3 general standings, was called by Red Bull to test their F1 simulator. A good result for the Federal School. How do you judge the program?
For the Federal School and Aci (the Italian federation sport automotive, as we must remember) the achieved results are just the starting point which deeply empowers us for the future and engages us to keep on giving our best efforts to lead one or more Italian drivers to F1 as soon as possible.

Italian motor sport is having a good time. Other Italian drivers engaged in most important International Championship are also getting substantial results both on single-seated front and GT. This is the outcome of Aci’s strategy conducted through formative stages and FDA.What does we miss to reach F1 and what will be the next steps to assist this guys in the best way?
I don’t want to sound too optimistic , but from my point of view, we don’t miss anything and we are ready to get the goal that we have set ourselves. What are the next steps? Keep hard working with minor categories to find new talents and to enhance supports, including economical ones, towards the most deserving drivers.

You have been the first to embrace the project of F4 that was deeply wanted by FIA.This year we reached the second chapter of Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth. What do you think about these Championship and project?
Yes, we first understood the importance of this project, and we first started. So we pointed out to others the way, even for technical choices. The Championship is having a good moment and its fame crosses national borders, as is shown by the participation of several foreign drivers. Again, we need to go on because it is through this formula that we’ll gain our future champions.

In 2016 we’ll celebrate the centenary of Targa Florio, but the contract between F1 and Monza will expire.What can you say about Italian GP?
I can say that our main goal is the confirmation of Italian GP at Monza. We are working in every directions attempting to make every protagonist understand not just the value of the GP itself due to its history and technical past, but also the great future benefits that all this can hand over F1. Unfortunately the recent cancellation of historical races taught us to look ahead to make everybody understand how having a GP in Monza could benefit us also from an economical point of view. F1 is having a bad moment on the front of audience and show.

What is your recipe to raise again the show and re-attract the audience?
Unfortunately we are accustomed to sectorial analysis that cause us to loose the overall view and also the right way to face the problems. It is the whole race world, save some sporadic exceptions, that is facing this crossing point to new way of making and enjoying this show. There aren’t any easy recipes. Sure, we need not to make errors like cancel Monza GP where love and passion towards F1 are assured to approach new region economically more favorable.

Downfall started with the introduction of these Power-Unit, also because “the little noise”. F1 is the right stage for this technology or it would be better to use the FIA WEC? Turbo and Hybrid will be the future for standards cars?
I don’t believe that the downfall started with the introduction of Power-Unit and surely F1 is the right theater for every new technology. Hybrid, in my point of view, is an essential step even in the present of standards cars. In the last months, security return on spotlight, a living argument even on our roads.

As ACI, what kind of campaign are you conducting? And what can we do to teach young to enjoy in moderation?
The battle for road security is a strong point for Automobile Club Italia’s action. Initiatives like Sara Safe Factor, for example, lead ten thousands girls and boys just licensed, to talk about road safety with drivers and auto sport men. But we can also think to Kart in Piazza where we start to talk about road safety to children letting them play with little karts on safe routes. Our activity is determined also in politics. There are our ideas and projects behind new initiatives. Unluckily we have still to realize that with 3000 deaths per year and hundred thousands injured we are facing a real war. Everybody should probably become aware of that.

A special thanks to President Angelo Damiani Sticchi and his Press Office for its kind cooperation.

After the teams, let’s analyze the Drivers.

Lewis Hamilton – 9 Especially for his five victories. At the moment he is the fittest driver. Fortunately for us, he too made some little mistakes. He will remember Hungary for a long time.

Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 He is fighting and making the most of his Ferrari taking it to the second place of the World Constructors’ Championship. He made two exemplary victories. In the time of need he was ready to make the most of “Mercedes’s favors”.

Nico Rosberg – 8 Decisively under level, especially in qualifying. Last year he won his personal challenge with Hamilton. But now, in my opinion, he looks discharged. He isn’t the Nico I expected to see.

Felipe Massa – 7,5 surely he done better than his team-mate wanted by rumors instead of  Raikonnen at Ferrari. He is still beyond Bottas in general standings but the Brasilian are making the most of his Williams.

Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Jr, Daniil Kvyat – 7 the Finnish at Williams’ is fighting, while Red Bull drivers represent the “advancing newness”.
The young guys are building their future in F1. Despite the jump into main team and the disapprovals received early in the season, the Russian is coping with Ricciardo.
Meanwhile TR is pursuing his “green” challenge. At the Hungaroring, Vestappen scored his best result and  almost touched the podium with a fourth place.

Daniel Ricciardo – 6,5 Half a point below his team-mate because he can rely on a greater experience. He isn’t the Ricciardo we saw last season. Undoubtedly he suffer more than the others for Red Bull lack of competitiveness.

Kimi Raikkonen- 6 It’s a vote of confidence. He dosn’t do what he should for Ferrari. In Hungary he was unlucky for a breakdown but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. In general standings he payed 3 tenth to his team-mate and a sec to Hamilton.