Jerez, Winter test – Tireless Mercedes

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Ended the first four days of test at the Spanish track of Jerez, for teams it is time to come back to the headquarters, starting to analyse all data and prepare the next test, scheduled in Barcelona in a fortnight.

After analysing teams’ work together with Gian Carlo Minardi (read here), we try to sum up all driven kilometres, in order to assess newborn cars reliability. Mercedes World Champions are workaholic for session, gather up 2285 km (516 rounds). Nico Rosberg collects 308 rounds in two days, while the champion in office, Lewis Hamilton, “stops” to 208 rounds.

In second place, left behind with 634 km, we find Sauber (1651 km) with the brand-new pair Ericsson-Nasr. The Swedish driver gather 185 rounds, only three less than his team-mate. A good sign for Maranello, whereas the C34 uses engine of the Prancing Horse. The Brazilian also scores the third fastest time ever in the session.

Third placement for Toro Rosso, Renault-powered, with the younger pair of Circus formed by the rookies Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen. The team based in Faenza reached 1558 km, thanks to the 182 rounds of the Spanish and the 170 laps of Dutchman.

Fourth placement for Ferrari SF15-T of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, who closes the first session of collective test with a total reward of 1536 km (748 km less than Mercedes). Kimi Raikkonen ends his work with 198 rounds and the fastest lap (1’20″841), followed by Sebastian Vettel with 149 laps and his time of 1’20″984. Ferrari drivers are the only ones who have broken down the wall of 1’21. At this stage, however, we must tread carefully and lap times should be taken with a grain of salt, as each team get on track with very specific programs.

More outdistanced all the others. Lotus (which has driven one day less) comes back home with 841 km. At the very bottom, there are Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Daniil Kvyat, with 730 km and McLaren-Honda, with just 350 km.

Let the show begin

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After Force India, Williams, McLaren-Honda and Sauber, Ferrari-Day has finally come. “Digital spotlights” are now turned on, focused on the new SF15-T, the first Ferrari branded Marchionne, entrusted to Vettel-Raikkonen pair that together represents a good five World Titles.

Now we are very nearly to switch on the engines. Although there are still cars to be revealed – those in late with the overcoming of crash-tests, like Red Bull, those struggling with budget problems, like Force India and others with problems of continuity, like Marussia and Caterham – today, February 1st, starts officially the new season, with the first day of winter test sessions in Jerez Spanish track. Among cars yet to be revealed (whose veils will fall down in Jerez, although their first images have been unveiled), there are World Champions in office, that is to say Mercedes that has dominated the scene with Hamilton and Rosberg. Thanks to the incredible power proved in 2014, are certainly the favourites thanks to the continuity of the project. Behind them, there is Williams FW37 of Bottas and Massa, which showed a precise development of the 2024 car with so much satisfaction to the English team. Then there is the McLaren-Honda MP4-30. Engineers have done a great job. Very impressive the sidepods, tapered in the back part and lower than competitors. Also nose is to note, in addition to being pleasing to the eye, should work well for the aerodynamic flow under the bottom. Certainly, the attention will be on Honda, to evaluate the job of Japanese. At Ferrari, the new car has an attractive nose, but so large sidepods may be questionable and create some problems for flows passage.

Lotus, after a very disappointing 2014, is debuting with Mercedes E23 Hybrid motorization. Great effort has been made in Enstone, to bring the car in Spain. There is clean break with past season. Same situation at Sauber. The Swiss team is looking for redemption after closing the year with zero points. A lot of work has been done to place Ferrari’s engine as best as possible. They have high and long sidepods too. New car, but also new livery. New colours captured my attention; those blue (although much lighter) and yellow that bring me back to a past Minardi.

Finally we have Toro Rosso. Aesthetically and technically it looks more and more like Red Bull RB11. They moved into sidepods the ERS unit, moving forward about 100 mm the Turbo V6 engine Energy F1 Hybrid. So, they have been able to achieve a very rear, facilitating flows passage towards the rear.

Unfortunately, Force India will not be in Jerez, whose assembly is slowed by financial problems. In Mexico they have launched the new livery, but soon debut will come also for them. The two Cinderellas (Marussia and Caterham), assuming that they will play the game, will have to deal with a significant difference in performance with the rest of the lot.

At this point, we just have to switch on the engines and go on track. Let the show begin!

Gian Carlo Minardi

Gian Carlo Minardi: "We expect a futuristic and amazing McLaren"

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All the eyes now are focused on teams’ headquarters, waiting for the launches that will reveal the new open-wheels, ready to liven up 2015 Formula 1 World Championship. Then, count-down is started. Immediately after launches (on January 21st, Force India; on January 29th, McLaren, on January 30th, Ferrari (online); on February 1st, Mercedes), cars will be awaited on track, for the first 4-days test session on the Spanish circuit of Jerez.

Rumours talk about McLaren ready for redemption, after 2014 closed on the fifth position, behind Ferrari, as Gian Carlo Minardi says to us. “There is a lot of excitement at McLaren and rumours talk about not only amazing but also futuristic car, with Honda engine, which is in great recovery on electrical side, weakest link of the Japanese Power Unit“, the manager from Faenza comments on www.minardi.it. Just in recent days, FIA accorded to the Japanese constructor the possibility of developing its unit with 32 evolution tokens, after certification on February 28th. “This news, that was in the air, has revived the atmosphere, giving a great impulse of confidence. It is talked about a McLaren with completely new chassis and a lot of innovation in many sectors“, Minardi analyses. Prodromou therapy seems to give wished fruits, and this just can please Fernando Also and Jenson Button. “Everything will certainly have been possible thanks also to a valid engine mechanical design“.

If also this year prospects will be respected, as per last season Mercedes will be the car to fight. However, we have to wait for an amazing championship. “In office World Champions start with Power Unit of last year, with the only change of injection (it is said that it is revolutionary) and they rely on using the 32 tokens at disposal during the season, if necessary. This prove that they are aware of their technical superiority“.

Just an illusory silence

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The countdown has begun. There are less than twenty days before the official event of 2015 Formula 1 World Championship with the four days of Jerez. Everything seems apparently calm and silent, but within the various Racing Departments a real race against time is taking place, to assemble all the components and pass the crash tests. The last team, in chronological order, that has announced the overcoming of the dreaded exam, has been Toro Rosso, which posted on his Twitter profile a small detail.

We heard Gian Carlo Minardi, who has experienced this wait with his Minardi Team for 21 years: “We are in a time of the season where everything seems still and calm, but actually teams are doing their best on all fronts. The part of design and construction is involved in testing and passing crash tests, that are needed to get on track, according to new regulations“, said the manager from Faenza on www.minardi.it. “In a little less than twenty days, the war will start. Days are really hectic. The “carrier pigeons” – or pickup trucks – are constantly on the road, to bring all new components into the department. All team departments work 24H and there is the feeling of not succeeding until the day before launch. Then, in the last hour, like a puzzle, the car takes shape. I experienced this feeling for 21 years, but when you see it complete and all coloured, satisfaction is great. It is something incredible. For me, it is like the birth of a child. Every year, it is your creature, the result of a job that starts in April / May and ends the next January. Everything starts from notes on sheets of paper, passing to the hectic work on computers, tests in the wind tunnel, simulator…. and, day after day, you see the car growing. You work in view of Melbourne and plan the job for the first evolutionary step in Europe and all subsequent ones“. Action is also taken on the entire organization, to refine production processes, in order to improve performance without incurring unexpected.

“Logistical outsourcing” is crucial. Arranging material’s transfer, assembling the hospitality, managing hundreds of guests and the overnight from 80 to 150 people per team are very complex things. “Organizing all transfers and overnight stays is up to logistical department“. The way to move materials has changed in recent years. “With the rise of air transport’s prices per kg, teams opted to ship containers by ship. Nowadays, every team has about five / six containers to move during the season and where the heavier materials are loaded, such as lifters, jacks, spanners trolleys and box“. Teams in first 10 positions are awarded a bonus for two cars and 10,000 kg of material. “All the extra is charged to the teams, which ship on average from 25,000 to 40,000 kg of material“.

For all fans, the first appointment is the launch. “With the arrival of Internet and social networks, we have passed from shows to virtual launches. It is definitely the best way to involve all fans, all over the world and real-time, while in the past it was almost an exclusive event for press and insiders“.

Gian Carlo Minardi “Congratulations to Ferrari, Sauber and Marciello”

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Raffaele Marciello is the new test and reserve driver of Sauber. 2015 promises to be a year full of events for the driver of Ferrari Driver Academy, who will continue his adventure in GP2 Series, in addition to the commitment to Formula 1 with the colors of the Swiss team.

It consolidates the axis between Maranello and Hinwil that next year can rely on Ferrari’s Power-Unit. “I am really happy for this announcements and I do my most sincere congratulations to Ferrari and Sauber for having reached this important collaboration through Marciello“, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “This announcement is the confirmation that the FDA program continues“. Just in the past weeks and following the announcement of Gutierrez, the manager from Faenza said on www.minardi.it that the next Ferrari driver would come from the ranks of Ferrari Driver Academy, stating: “…I would be easy to issue judgments against Ferrari Driver Academy. At this moment, FDA project will go on with Raffaele Marciello, Antonio Fuoco, Lance Stroll and Guan Yu Zhou. Esteban arrival doesn’t affect FDA work“.

“As ACI, I got to follow Raffaele since its first steps in this sport. After karts, he stood out in 2010, making his debut in Formula ACI-CSAI Abarth and then racing in Formula 3 Italia“. 2012 is the year of the debut in the Formula 3 European, then won in 2013.

“I’m really happy to be part of the Sauber F1 team, a team that from the beginning of its history has been able to grow talented drivers“, Marciello said after the announcement. “I think this is the best choice for my future. I am also very happy to play another season in GP2 Series, confident that this, together with my new role in Formula 1, will make my 2015 particularly challenging. I thank Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me this great opportunity; I can hardly wait to get to work and do my best“.

Raffaele Marciello had also taken part in the tests in Abu Dhabi at the wheel of the F14-T.

Minardi Team and the Paris-Dakar

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When you read the name “Minardi” or you see the historical colors yellow/blue, mind turns quickly to Formula 1 and the historical Italian team founded by Gian Carlo Minardi in 1979, that for over twenty years has attended F1Grand Prix. And rightly so. But not everyone knows that the brand of the team from Faenza is also linked to the world’s most famous race in rally field: the Paris-Dakar.

The project was born in 1985, in conjunction with the debut of Minardi Team in Formula 1 World Championship, materializing in 1986 with the participation in the eighth edition of the competition conceived by Frenchman Thierry Sabine.

Gian Carlo Minardi provided all its structure and experience in races to transform a CVS truck for special freight and Iveco-motorized, to participate in the tough competition in the desert. “During an intense season and not without problems, since the debut in F.1, the Paris-Dakar project started. We transferred our experience in F1 on the vehicle, which proved to be extremely balanced with a 40% load on the front and the remaining 60% on the rear, managing to jump over the dunes at high speed“, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “Unfortunately, the crew, formed by Gaudenzio Mantova experienced driver in F.2 and F.3), Denis Biffi (co-driver) and Adriano Antolini (navigator and father of the adventure, as strongly desired), was forced to retirement, while it was firmly in second position. The vehicle“, continues the manager from Faenza, “burned into flames in the middle of the desert. In all likelihood, we create an electrical system too small in the design phase. The mistake“, concludes Minardi, “based on the inexperience in this type of competition, was fatal“.

Never two without three. Unfortunately.

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Not only Manor (Marussia) and Caterham are uncertain for next season. Unfortunately, there is a third team that, to date, is registered for Formula 1 World Championship with reservation. This is Lotus, a team that in 2012 and 2013 ended the season as the fourth power of the world championship, with the seals of Kimi Raikkonen in Abu Dhabi (2012) and then in the opening appointment in Melbourne.

For Circus, 2014 has been a season full of changes and innovations that have considerably increased the costs of management, especially with the introduction of the brand new Power-Unit, causing great difficulty for many teams, just like the team of Enstone and Sauber. The structure of Gerald Lopez has lived a troubled season, also under the sports results failing to go beyond an eighth place among manufacturers, suffering the problems of the French engine. Trying to get back on top, for 2015 he has focused on the Mercedes world champion’s power-unit, renewing confidence on its bearers, Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. “Surprises continue not to miss, even at the end of the year. even if it’s registered in the 2015 Championship, Lotus has an asterisk, which equates to a sword of Damocles not just. It means that from the administrative side is not all right”, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “This occurs when the entry fee is not paid within the prescribed time and an extension is granted. For the F1 this would be a heavy loss. In addition to bringing a prestigious name, the team of Enstone has in its organic structures and men of universal value, whose roots are well entrenched in the history of this sport, despite having changed several names and properties”.

The possible out of Lotus, together that of the two Cinderellas, would lead to having a grid formed by only 16 cars and eight teams (Mercedes, Red Bull, Williams, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India, Toro Rosso and Sauber). Let us hope that this does not happen.

Gian Carlo Minardi “FDA will train next Ferrari driver”

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In these weeks, news at Ferrari are certainly not missed, thanks to a series of announcements, linked to the arrival of Mexican Esteban Gutierrez as third driver and test driver, followed by a strong organization’s renewal and, last but not least, Jean–Eric Vergne’s welcome as test driver to attend the activities of  car’s development with simulator. Gutierrez comes directly from Sauber, while the Frenchman has been forced to say good-bye to Toro Rosso racing team, giving place to Carlos Sainz Jr.

After these announcements, newspapers’ controversies about the FDA project are not missed, marking Gutierrez’ arrival as a defeat. Gian Carlo Minardi is not of the same opinion, being always very sensitive to young growth. “I would be easy to issue judgments against Ferrari Driver Academy. At this moment, FDA project will go on with Raffaele Marciello, Antonio Fuoco, Lance Stroll and Guan Yu Zhou. Esteban arrival doesn’t affect FDA work. It’s essentially a question of economic-financial nature“, the manager from Faenza comments on www.minardi.it. “It’s linked to one of the strongest groups in the world referring to Slim. As in many other companies, even Ferrari didn’t want to miss this chance. Today the role of “third driver” is a word that “fills the mouth”, but if we analyze the facts, it’s very restrictive, especially in top racing teams like Ferrari, which does not rely on the test/third driver for Friday morning practice sessions.

I am certain that FDA will train next Ferrari driver. I really believe in this. At the moment, Prancing Horse Racing Team is facing an important change. It’s coming back to Made in Italy. I can just promote this direction and support it completely. I’ve always maintained that nothing missed in Maranello. However, there was need to intervene in delicate areas“.

Therefore, the project began in 2010 with ACI and Scuola Federale will go on, linked to growth and training of young drivers. “Aci continues its commitment to the creation of a team called Nazionale Azzurra di Velocità, as already exists in Rally. So, we will have to deal with Ferrari and FDA to promote and sponsor any initiative, with the only purpose of bringing as forward as possible our guys. I don’t gamble the word “Formula 1”, because in that case there are also other parameters, not only related to sports results“, Gian Carlo Minardi concludes. “Do not forget that car racing is an expensive sport, related to business“.

Formula 1, this way in 2015

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With the announcement of Fernando Alonso alongside Jenson Button, confirmed at McLaren-Honda, the starting grid of 2015 Formula 1 World Championship is almost completed. Some question marks still remain, mainly linked to the future of Marussia (now in liquidation) and Caterham (in receivership).

We expect a season full of news, with several changes of teams. At Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel has taken the place of Fernando Alonso, alongside the confirmed Kimi Raikkonen, while the Russian from the Toro Rosso Daniil Kvyat alongside the real revelation of 2014, the Australian Daniel Ricciardo in RB. Line-up completely redesigned for the team of Faenza that, greeted Vergne and Kvyat, is preparing to welcome the young Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr, from the European F.3 and WSR 3.5, giving birth to the youngest pair of Circus. 1997 class for the Dutch and 1994 for the Spaniard, son of the rally champion. Changing of the guard for Sauber. “Out” Sutil and Gutierrez, in Nasr (former Williams test driver) and Ericsson from Caterham.

Never change a super-winning  team. So, once again, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be the bearers of German battleship. Same philosophy for Williams, author of an excellent season ended in third place before Ferrari and McLaren. Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas confirmed. The same applies to Lotus too (with the pair Grosjean-Maldonado) and Force India (Hulkenberg-Perez). But Lotus will change the engine. The pulsating heart of Enstone will be branded Mercedes and no more Renault. At F.I., instead, dual commitment for the German “Hulk”. In addition to F.1 World Championship, he will also take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the wheel of Porsche LMP1.

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg
Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniil Kvyat
Williams
Felipe Massa
Valtteri Bottas
Ferrari
Kimi Raikkonen
Sebastian Vettel
McLaren
Fernando Alonso
Jenson Button
Force India
Nico Hulkenberg
Sergio Perez
Lotus
Romain Grosjean
Pastor Maldonado
Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen
Carlos Sainz jr
Sauber
Felipe Nasr
Marcus Ericsson

Gian Carlo Minardi "Alonso-Button, correct choice for McLaren-Honda"

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With announcement of yesterday, also the last “big piece” went to his place, in a 2015 grid which will present with numerous innovations: Fernando Alonso is the new McLaren-Honda driver. At the same time, it has been loosed the knot of the driver that will drive alongside the Spaniard. In the run-off between Button and Magnussen, the 2009 World Champion succeeded; he is getting ready for his 16th season in the World Championship.

Also Gian Carlo Minardi agrees with this choice, as he comments on the website www.minardi.it. “Fernando wanted to affect corporate organization sponsoring Jenson. Meanwhile, McLaren aimed at young Magnussen, also for economic reasons. Eventually, however, they have kept them all three. Although it has always been a supporter of young people, I think that it have taken the right choice “, continues the manager from Faenza. “Button can be of great help in the interpretation of tyres, in a team that wants and needs to go back on top quickly. For them, a new chapter begins. They are in a time of great restructuring, with the debut of a new engine. It will not be an easy season for Honda, which arrives in the World Championship with a year less of experience on racing circuits“. For Fernando it will be a difficult challenge as he has already gave to understand since his first statements. “Alonso has clear ideas and knows the real situation. At the moment, Honda is late on the development program of its PU. The Spaniard has always been a team player and his statements are also a way to encourage the team to speed up“.

Lost the position as race driver, Kevin Magnussen will be the reserve driver. “I do not see it as rejection for Kevin and a defeat for the program McLaren young. He remained within the team and will be able to drive an open-wheel. It has been a contemplated choice and the same Honda will have imposed a technical line in the choice of drivers“, the former constructor concludes, “considering the significant investment put to use“.

Despite some question marks, the starting grid is completed with important news for Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Sauber. Line-up confirmed, instead, at Mercedes, Williams and Force India.

Minardi “Arrivabene, the right man at the right time”

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With the assignment of Maurizio Arrivabene, at Ferrari the new era has started. There’s will to quickly archive a season full of difficulties, which led to several changes in its staff. Changes that, however, are destined to continue, as Gian Carlo Minardi said in the past: “I have to congratulate Mr. Sergio Marchionne, because the first choice was more than spot-on. Maurizio Arrivabene is certainly the right man for this Ferrari that wants to turn over a new leaf quickly“, the manager from Faenza said on www.minardi.it. “I wish him good luck, as he is called to not an easy job. Despite commitments are a lot at the moment and time is very little, he will have to make prompt changes quickly. In the past, everybody wanted to go to work at Ferrari, but now wind seems to have changed. Maranello seems to have lost “reliability” in its projects, receiving denials from important people who have won so much in Ferrari. There’s need of a man with strong leadership to reverse this course“.

In recent months the name of Ross Brawn was often joined to that of Ferrari. The British engineer could then hang up the fishing rod to embrace again the racing world. “Rumours coming from Germany speak of Ross Brawn ready to accept new challenges, but far away from Ferrari. In fact, it hears about a strong interest on Audi’s side. For this reason, Arrivabene will have to make even unpopular and risky decisions on the technical side, writing a new story, or trying to put pressure on the man that now is the most wanted and requested, Brawn precisely”. With the arrival of Sebastian Vettel some changes have already glimpsed. “In these days, we have seen the German surrounded by Resta and Adami engineers“, both with a past at different times in Faenza (one in Minardi Team, the other in Toro Rosso). Riccardo Adami will be the new race engineer of the four-times  world champion. “Therefore, something has already changed“. Waiting for passing the baton between Mattiacci and Arrivabene, Sebastian Vettel entered officially in “red”, driving in Fiorano with the F2012, working on the simulator and visiting the factory. “I have to congratulate the creator of this political-advertising move. They have been able to draw the attention of media, giving a new image both to Vettel and Ferrari. A move of image perfectly spot-on“, Minardi concludes, “that marks an important turning point within the racing team”.

Gian Carlo Minardi “It’s nice to see so many young people in tests”

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Formula 1 World Championship has just finished last Sunday and already on Tuesday and Wednesday all teams (Marussia excluded) were back on track in Abu Dhabi circuit for the last few kilometres of this 2014. The cars were transformed into real studies, with the objective to collect more data and information to be transferred on the 2015 project.

Along first drivers, team managers have relied also on young rookies, coming from major preparatory championships as F.3 European (Esteban Ocon and Spike Goddard), GP3 Series (Alex Lynn), GP2 Series (Raffaele Marciello and Jolyon Palmer), WSR 3.5 (Carlos Sainz Jr) as well as DTM (Stoffel Vandoorne and Pascal Wehrlein), in addition to Felipe Nasr (already Williams test driver ), Max Verstappen (next pilot TR) and Will Stevens with a past experience in WSR 3.5 and Caterham driver for last round. Nine are the new faces who have put at the wheel of Force India, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Lotus. “A good sign for this Formula 1, which, with the excuse of limiting costs, has reduced the possibilities for the guys to show off at the wheel of an open-wheel in top series“, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “I’ve always been a supporter of tests dedicated to young people and seeing all these new faces gives me hope for the future. The top series must return the dream and the goal for all those guys who enter the Motor Sport. In these last two days which closed 2014 and that in part have opened the new season, we saw drivers who have attracted attention in all major previous championships, from Formula 3 to GP2, putting together a large number of rounds. Seeing Raffaele Marciello jumping into the cockpit of the F14-T, as Italian, is a spectacular image, also because he’s son of the coaching project that ACI and Federal School are conducting. Started from karting, he won the Formula Abarth, before standing out internationally in F.3 with the great victory at Spa-Francorchamps and this year in GP2“, the manager from Faenza continues. Over the past two years, however, Jules Bianchi and Davide Rigon (this year engaged in World Endurance with the AF Corse Ferrari) have participated in Rooky tests on the tracks of Magny-Course and Silverstone. “Only with these testing days we can have a generational change in Circus. Talents are not lacking, especially in Italy. The program and the work done in these seasons by our instructors through internships and “Supercorso” have allowed us to grow champions such as Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi, without forgetting Mirko Bortolotti, Daniel Zampieri, Edoardo Piscopo, Luca Ghiotto and many others “.

On the track of Vallelunga it was held the eleventh edition of ACI Supercorso Federale, internship and evaluation stage for young talents of speed and tricolored rally. The young drivers have been involved in tests alternating classroom meetings, with different cars for track category and on different surfaces for rally category. In track category, two drivers has been selected from Formula 4 (Drudi and Russo) and four from karting (Bertorelli, Travisanutto, Cutrupi and Albanese). Among the drivers from Formula 4 the best was Mattia Drudi, while among the four kart drivers Diego Bertonelli has emerged at the end of the four days of competition. “Regardless of who won, all the young participants will be followed in the future, working actively for their growth waiting to be launched the Italian Speed Team“, the former constructor concludes, “as announced by Mr. Marco Ferrari, Director for ACI Automotive Sport“.

Phenomenal Mercedes, barely pass Ferrari and resat Sauber, Lotus, Caterham

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Mercedes – 10 Without reliability problems, it would certainly be an A+ season. With sixteen successes of nineteen Grand Prix, it has hit the jackpot. Hamilton is a “races” animal, a bit less in Qualifying. As for Rosberg, he was able to fight on pair with Lewis. He has to be more consistent in race. Certainly, he will still have a way to fight with his tam-mate. At the beginning of the season, everyone has already considered him as defeated

Williams – 9 Moving from ninth to third place in Constructors’ standings in just one year is synonymous with having worked not only in the right direction, but also having chosen expert people, many of which are Ferrari’s “fugitives”. This certainly has to make us reflect and serve as an example. Thanks also to Mercedes PU, it was able to move up the ranks, especially in the second half of the season, becoming the second force in the World Championship

Red Bull – 8 It’s a vote that goes mainly to the chassis, as it is limited by transalpine PU. It deserves also a higher vote, but, honestly, I didn’t like at all the last “trickery” in Qualifying. The penalty is also perhaps been too mild. Its problem is PU and it may prevent these actions not really clear. It has been the only one to put a spoke in Mercedes’ wheels, going on to win three races with Ricciardo. I would not risk ruining the credibility of a team that has won so much, with trickeries like this

McLaren – 8 It has been able to recover, being as a third reality in recent races. This vote wants to be a vote of confidence. With the arrival of Honda, it can certainly make the leap. As a team, despite the looting of technicians of last season, it proved to have a “hard core” on which restart. I hope it will be one of the next team on the rise, in order to make next 2015 Championship more exciting

Force India – 7.5 Certainly, it has put together many points, being able to be competitive in almost all races, thanks to Mercedes’ PU. It has to struggle between budget and inventions, but it did a great job

Toro Rosso – 7 Very strong in Qualifying, entering, on several occasions, in the top-10. Unfortunately, frustrated result too often in race and, therefore, it has to work on this aspect for the future

Ferrari – 6 The latest moves at the top could be a positive sign for the future. The arrival of Maurizio Arrivabene is a great signal. He knows very well F1 environment, Ferrari and Agnelli family. I am sorry for Marco Mattiacci, but, considering experience, there can be no comparison. It has been one of the most difficult seasons for Maranello, both technically and sportingly, although it had two World Champions

Marussia – 6 For having won two points in Montecarlo, despite many financial difficulties. They are now in receivership, but I hope that the result of Montecarlo might be the basis for a new restart

Sauber e Lotus – 5 They have fallen too low. Certainly, they not have been helped by Ferrari and Renault’s PU, but causes of their failure have to be charged ascribed to a non-performing chassis’ project

Caterham – 4 After so many years, it should have done more. I hope it will find the right resources to start in 2015

Gian Carlo Minardi