Archive for category: F1

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.

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

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”.

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

We’ve come to the nineteenth race, the last race of a season that has passed quickly, among polemics, technical developments, difficulties for teams and clear supremacy of Mercedes.

We had to wait until the last weekend to know Sebastian Vettel’s successor, who will leave the #1. It will be an internal fight at Mercedes, between Hamilton and Rosberg. The English driver, thanks to his advantage, will act in reply, while victory might not be enough for Nico. I can’t see any driver that can come between them, to favour either. Williams itself is still very far away, as proved by a 41″ sec. suffered in Brazil. The fight for third place among Constructors, instead, is done deal for Williams, despite the availability of double points, which have proved to be useless.

For the final round, Pirelli brings Soft and SuperSoft. This could give us a hard-fought Qualifying. Fifteen days ago, we had even 18 drivers in just 2″, while, during the race, differences between Mercedes and the remaining group could come out anyway. This compounds’ solution may not favour McLaren in the fight for fourth place. Button-Magnussen’s car has proved to be more powerful with Medium and Hard. Moreover, through a tweet, they’ve also announced that we should wait over December 1st to know the new line-up, even if games are already made.

Behind the pit, the atmosphere will be very “hot”, with various decisions to take, related to third car, prizes distribution and Power-Unit changes.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Interlagos is always an amazing and considerable circuit. The organizers deserve praise for the work done on the asphalt, having improved its performance. It was also very interesting Piquet’s speech on stage at the end of GP, which bring F.1 back to past times, with questions for drivers related to other topics outside the race, making it more joking.

Nico Rosberg – 10 Pole and victory, without making the slightest imperfection, despite Hamilton’s important pressure during the all race. If he’s made fewer mistakes during the season, this would be for him an incredible match-point. Unfortunately, he alternated masterful and less positive performances, like in Austin, when he practically opened the door to team-mate

Lewis Hamilton – 9 He made a mistake, trying to regain his team-mate and scoring, anyway, the fastest lap of the race. In many passes, they challenged on the edge of the second tenth, running on high paces. He gave a hard time to the team-mate and it was a fight just between the two of them. Unluckily, only one can win, even though they both deserve an award

Felipe Massa – 9 He made two mistakes, exceeding the speed-limit and stopping in the wrong box, but he has completed a masterful race, gaining a new podium for himself and for his Williams. To date, unfortunately, they are not yet in a position to strike back Mercedes’ supremacy and only external factors may change an already written, also in Abu Dhabi

Jenson Button – 8 As separated (or almost), he is proving that he would deserve better consideration

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He is author of a great race and he led the only points at Renault

Fernando Alonso – 8 He constantly fight with a knife between his teeth, despite a car that is not perfect. Today, he is the fourth power of the world championship, behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams. With limited time available, it will be hard to solve problems. Once again, however, he wins the battle with the team-mate, who gave an awakening signal

Nico Hulkenberg – 7 He brings new points at Force India

Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen – 6 They have not been able to confirm the results obtained in Qualifying, losing the comparison with the “veteran” team-mates