F1- Minardi: "The partnership Mercedes-Manor? A good signal"

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In a short lap of time, McLaren confirmed his partnership with Jenson Button for 2016 while Mercedes announced his intention to supply its six-cylinde to Manor, the small team that now gets silver de facto becoming its Junior Team.

Great job for Banbury’s team that after risking a bankruptcy and a separation from the starting grid now could raise the bar leaving the last place at the grid.Indeed, the partnership with the team managed by Toto Wolff shouldn’t involve just the Power-Unit supply but much more. This way it could become a “home”for all that young driver in Mercedes sphere, like Pascal Wehrlein, already third driver in DTM where he precisely runs for the German group. We have consulted Gian Carlo Minardi in order to better understand the meaning of this partnership.

“The strategy of Toto Wolf, who probably succeeded in avoiding the supply of his PU to Red Bull and in planning an useful partnership for his team, is getting clearer and clearer.This new partnership between Mercedes and Manor is a good signal for all of the top teams, especially Ferrari. De facto Manor becomes a Junior Team where make the drivers around Mercedes grow. Basically it is the same relationship between red Bull and Toro Rosso. A partnership that will allow the little cindarella to climb the rankings” the manager from Faenza analyzes on www.minardi.it. “This situation could embarass some team not really accustumed to the lower zone of the standings. At present Toro Rosso, Sauber, McLaren and Manor occupy the last four place of the standings. Next year, unless a Japaneses’ wonder, McLaren will have to fight to not be the last“.

Manor in Mercedes zone, with Wehrlein from 2016

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The official announcement arrived just an hour ago. Manor will drop out Ferrari engines to adopt Brixworth six-cylinder engine in 2016, de facto becoming a junior team of the “Three-pointed Star”.

As things stand, it would be a good breath of fresh air for Banbury’s team, now engaged in the World Championship with a 2014 car which has been evolved just in some elements to suit the current rules.
This new partnership could open the doors to some young drivers who revolve around Mercedes as the German Pascal Wehrlein, present DTM leader ahead our compatriot Mortara (Audi Sport).

The second seat could became a matter between present official drivers Will Stevens and Alexander Rossi, with the addition of the Indonesian Rio Haryanto, supported by Pertamina oil company.
Circus entrance should remain closed for the new F3 Euro Series champion Felix Rosenqvist. The Swedish, born in 1991, supported by Mercedes could attain GT, side DTM.

In recent days, Gene Haas’ team has presented his first driver. It is about Romain Grosjean who will say goodbye Lotus after four years. So, the seat beside the already confirmed Pastor Maldonado frees.
Instead, McLaren-Honda confirmed Jenson Button for 2016 season this morning. Woking’s team used the option on the English that will run his seventh season with Mclaren.

*This article was updated after the announcement of Mercedes.

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.

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.

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 – 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.

F1-Engine Puzzle: Everything postponed until Frankfurt Motor Show

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To complete the puzzle of the tangled Motor issue, particularly connected with Red Bull Racing team, only  the last  two  pieces seemed to last.  The week-end of Monza’s GP has been stage of some meetings, not just about the renewal of the contract between the circuit and Mr. E, but also about the supply of PU to Dietrich Mateschitz’s teams. The time available to make a decision is passing inexorably and Adria Newey has begun to press.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner encountered the top brass at Ferrari to seek a technical solution for 2016. However much will depend on Renault that is engaged in the purchase of Lotus for its comeback in F1’s front-line, not just as an engine provider.
According to the last rumors considering the purchase of Lotus very likely, the French Constructor will publicize his purposes only after the Frankfurt motor show scheduled from 19 to 27 September. So, the event of an agreement between Red Bull and Mercedes is called into question.
“Ferrari declared itself available to supply its PU to Toro Rosso and Red Bull, even if everything will depend on what Renault is going to do. Positions that were clear have been complicating.  Mercedes Motorsport has never been sure about supply such a troublesome team like Red Bull Racing. Instead, The Management of Mercedes would look kindly upon a partnership with such a juvenile brand” Gian Carlo Minardi analyzes. “According to the last rumors everything is postponed until the end of the Frankfurt Motor Show”.

Red Bull racing is now in a thorny position: it can guarantee a young and attractive brand but it is also a fearful competitor being in F1 to win.

F1,Italian Gp – SCORECARDS: from 0 to 10

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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.

F1 – Road to…Monza

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After the emotions at the Spa-Francorchamps and those at Brisighella where Mercedes was crowned with the Lorenzo Bandini trophy, we are now preparing to live the Monza Gp, in its 66th edition.

Most assuredly it’s going to be a very complicated week-end as during its launch  we could witness President of Lombardy  Roberto Maroni’s expressions of opinion and AC Milano President Ivan Capelli and ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani’s replies, with some off-stage meetings trying to break through the post-2016 scenario. Also Matteo Renzi is going to come at the circuit to do the honors on Sunday.

This week-end will be also characterized by the financial complications at Lotus and by the motoring future of Red Bull whose agreement with Mercedes could be called into question given the difficulties encountered by Renault in purchasing Lotus. A meeting between Red Bull’s top brass and French Constructor that has recently took place could open doors so far closed.

From what I have learned in Brisighella, Mercedes Motorsport doesn’t look kindly upon an agreement with “the Beveragers” unlike the management of the German group. Once again, having an hand in this there is Mr. E. who is conducting the orchestra. In recent days, he payed wages to Lotus employee’s and he engaged to ensemble a parterre of people to keep the World Championship competitive and interesting. We then have a Ferrari interested in buying a segment of Toro Rosso.

Talking of the track, we are waiting a press conference from Pirelli who is going to explain in detail what happened at Spa. Differently from last year, the constructor will take the Soft and Medium tire compounds to the track, With regard to the weather, the next week-end could be bothered by milder temperatures.

So, we are approaching the end of the championship and everybody will give their maximum. Mercedes remains the favorite but they’ll have to pay attention to reliability. At Monza, the Pus will turn to their maximum for the 67% of the trail, hard breaking will have a fundamental role too, so changes of directions. We have to pay attention to the first variant, scene of difficult moments. Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull, Force India, and as we hope also Lotus will try to fight for top places. It will give Rosberg one of the last chances to keep the world championship open. We hope that the “new dad” could reach Monza thoughtless, ready to fight with his team-mate.

There are all the ingredients it takes to experience a great weekend and Gp. Everybody in front of TVs or tribunes. I’ll be present at the circuit and I hope to see terraces and field crowded by supporters. It would be also a good motivation to sign the new contract.

F1, Belgian Gp – Scorecards

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That at the Circuit of Spa was a special day. We saw a crowded circuit as we hadn’t seen since good times. This Gp was dominated by Mercedes with a breath-taking final due to the burst of the right rear tire of Vettel’s Ferrari. This refrain will lead the discussion for the next fifteen days looking forward to Monza.As usual, we draw up our scorecards:

Lewis Hamilton – 9 honestly he would also deserved 10, but the credit of his supremacy belongs to Mercedes other than his unquestionable virtue. Even so, Lewis has outclassed his team-mate Rosberg giving him 0”458 in practice. After a perfect start, he managed the race to his linking continuing to distance himself from his main rival.

Romain Grosjena – 8 Lotus driver ended on the podium one of his best ever Gp since he has been in F1. Capable in he Practice, perfect in the race. He skilfully managed the car and and the tires. Once he had understood Vettel’s strategy, consisting in just one pit stop, he attacked Ferrari driver in the final part of the race. He gave a real shot in the arm to his Team that had lived a difficult w.e. among lawyers and bailiffs due to its economical difficulties.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 thanks to what he showed in the race. In practice he hadn’t been decisive with his ninth time that could have had compromised the Gp. Once again, the makings of a Champion has emerged during the race with a super start, a robot race pace and a peculiar management of tires aimed to reach the podium. Surely he adopted an hazardous strategy, but he was great in the last laps facing the Eau Rouge with his tires stressed by 26/27 laps. Then, unfortunately, the burst at the 28th lap frustrated all his work and strategy.

Daniil Kvyat (4°) and Max Verstappen (8°) – 8 these two guys showed us old-time overtakings. The first is gaining his Team’s trust thanks to his resolution and speedy. The second showed us how to face the Blanchimount (one of the most difficult and fastest bend) keeping his foot down and making an almost impossible overtaking. “Insanity an genius” has emerged making us understand his great potential. Surely we’ll enjoy his challenge in the future.

Sergio Pérez – 7 he gained a good qualifying, he didn’t make any mistakes during the race assuring to Force India an unexpected fifth place and some important scores for the championship.

Fernando Alonso – 7 he has demonstrated to be that Champion he is and he would deserve a more competitive car. He has showed his value during the race with a quick start that allow him to recover 8 positions and fight for a long time with Ericsson (10th) and Nasr’s Sauber during the race. He imposed 49” to his mate-driver Button.

Nico Rosberg – 6 I don’t understand what is happening to him! He was outclassed in practice by Lewis, making a disastrous start and a little aggressive race. Only the excessive power of Mercedes, that hasn’t rivals at the moment, permitted him to reach the second place and the fastest time. Not enough for someone who would aim to challenge his mate-driver for the final victory.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 the renewal of the contract wasn’t enough to glance him over. He did the minimum required to gain some scores, but I expect more from him even if he has reached Vettel’s times in many occasions during the race. Unfortunately this times are distant from Mercedes’ ones.

Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa have no vote because Williams once again nullyfied everything with their miscalculated strategies, and their mistakes at the box. Anyway, they were good in qualifying with Bottas in the second row. Probably it’s time to review some managing mechanisms.