GREAT NAMES OF MOTORSPORT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 10TH EDITION OF THE HISTORIC MINARDI DAY. TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT ON TICKETONE

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More than thirty-five champions and icons of Motorsport are expected at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit for the 10th edition of the Historic Minardi Day scheduled for Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. Tickets are available on  TicketOne, in the authorized TicketOne outlets or at the ticket booths at the Circuit.

This will be a unique occasion to meet drivers, technicians and personalities who have written important pages of world Motorsport and who, over the years, contributed to making the Historic Minardi Day a special event for fans.

Among the personalities expected are the President of ACI Geronimo La Russa, engineers Aldo Costa, Gabriele Tredozi, Luca Baldisserri e Nigel Cowperthwaite, together with Daniele Audetto, Heini Mader, Giorgio Piola, Biagio Maglienti and Mario Isola.

As per our tradition, there will be many drivers and key figures from the world of racing: Giorgio Serra “Matitaccia”, Giovanna Amati, Fabio Babini, Fulvio Maria Ballabio, Benito Battilani, Francesco Bergamini, Thierry Boutsen, Sergio Campana, Sonia Borghese, Massimo Ciccozzi, Roberto Farneti, Beppe Gabbiani, Bruno Giacomelli, Raffaele Giammaria, Alessandra Gallo, Pierluigi Martini, Arturo Merzario, Miguel Angel Guerra, Gabriele Lancieri, Giovanni Lavaggi, Andrea Levy, Riccardo Patrese, Gabriele Tarquini, Nicolò Piancastelli, Luis Perez Sala, Vinicio Salmi, Siegfried Stohr e Tamara Vidali.

One of the features that has made the Historic Minardi Day unique over the years is the chance to see the great stars of Motorsport take to the wheel once again. In fact, many former drivers chose to don their overalls and helmet once again here at Imola to give the public sights and thrills that are hard to experience anywhere else.

For example, in 2019 Emanuele Pirro took to the wheel of the Minardi M189 for the first time, while Gaston Mazzacane found “his” M02 once again, and Gian Carlo Minardi tried his hand with the M192-Lamborghini. In the 2018 edition, it was Aldo Costa, the then director of Mercedes AMG F1, who took to the track with the Mercedes W04. In 2020, it was the turn of Riccardo Patrese to warm the hearts of the fans at the wheel of the 1991 Williams FW14.

More recently, in 2023 and 2024, Thierry Boutsen thrilled the fans by driving Gilles Villeneuve’s Ferrari 312 T5 #2 and Alain Prost’s McLaren MP4/03 n.1. Even engineer Gabriele Tredozii took the Minardi PS04B to the track, while Aldo Costa climbed into the cockpit of the Dallara Stradale EXP, as did the world rally champion Miki Biasion.

Gianni Morbidelli put on a show in Pierluigi Martini’s Minardi M189, while Miguel Angel Guerrra drove Vittorio Brambilla’s March 761, swapping paces with Roberto Farneti, as well as making his debut at the wheel of a Minardi racing car, the M189. Arturo Merziario instead took to the wheel of the Lucchini Alfa Romeo of the Scuderia del Portello, while Bruno Giacomelli took back to the track the BMW powered Formula 2 March 772.

In last year’s edition, Roberto Moreno took to the wheel of the Formula 3 Ralt with which Pierluigi Martini won the 1983 European title.

Finally, there will be the unwavering presence of Pierluigi Martini, one of the symbols of the history of Minardi and the Historic Minardi Day, accompanied by a group of truly prestigious cars: the Minardi M189, the perfectly restored Tyrrell P34/02 and P34/05,the Ralt RT30 Ford-Cosworth and the Ferrari 126 C4 of Michele Alboreto.

In this way, drivers, cars and stories from different eras will come together in Imola, giving life once again to the spirit that accompanies the Historic Minardi Day since its birth, not just to preserve the history of Motorsport, but to bring it back to the track and to share it with the fans and with the new generations.

 

F1 | MADRID GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “A TRACK WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED. FERRARI NEEDS TO BOUNCE BACK”

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After having filed away the extraordinary weekend at Monza, highlighted by Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s splendid and historic win, our eyes are already drawn to the next race. Formula 1 arrives in Madrid which will make its debut in the world championship calendar with a completely new track that is waiting to be discovered.

This will be a new challenge for the teams and drivers.  There are no data points gathered during previous Grands Prix to draw upon, and for this very reason, the work carried out on the simulator will take on even greater importance, starting from the first free practice sessions, it will be essential to verify that the simulations match the actual behaviour of the racing cars and quickly finding the right benchmarks and the best setup.

The Madring is a semipermanent circuit of about 5.4 kilometres and 22 bends, alternating city streets with specially constructed sections. On paper, it presents very different characteristics, including fast turns, fast braking points and changes of elevation. The expected speeds could reach 340 km/h.

One of the most distinctive features will certainly be “La Monumental”, the long-banked turn 12 with a bank angle that reaches 24%. It will be interesting to see which aerodynamic approach the teams will choose and how hard it will be to find the right balance between speed on the straight, stability under braking and the downforce needed in the tighter sections.

On a completely new track, the drivers’ ability to adapt and the speed of the engineers in analysing the data collected during the first sessions could make a big difference. I also expect the track to evolve significantly during the weekend.

Ferrari however will be able to count on a few more data points to work with compared to its rivals thanks to the Filming Day in July. This is a small advantage, especially in the very early stages of the weekend. I expect them to mount a strong comeback after the disappointment at Monza. Their home Grand Prix ended well below expectations with Leclerc’s retirement in the opening laps and Hamilton’s sixth place. Madrid offers the Team an immediate chance to turn a new leaf. Furthermore, the characteristics of the new track seem to be more favourable compared to Monza, where the speed on the straight was one of their main weak points.

Of course, all eyes will be drawn to Andrea Kim Antonelli. He comes to Madrid as the leader of the World Championship and riding on wave of enthusiasm following his incredible win at Monza, after starting from nineteenth place on the grid. It will be interesting to see if Mercedes can maintain its dominance even on a track with such radically different characteristics.

Il will be an important testing ground also for McLaren. At Monza they knew they had to be more on the defensive compared to previous races, but they probably hoped to achieve something more than fourth place with Norris and fifth place with Piastri. After the strong progress shown before the Italian Grand Prix, the new Spanish track may give us further indications of the true balance of power with Mercedes.

Of course, also keep a keen eye on Max Verstappen, who returns from his excellent third place in Monza. On a completely new track, the experience and skill of the driver to find the limits of the racing car quickly could take on even greater importance and, in this regard, Max certainly remains one of the top contenders.

It will certainly be a particularly special weekend for Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, who will race in front of their home crowd. For Sainz it will have even greater significance since he was born right here in Madrid. They are two highly experienced drivers, and I am convinced that the support of the Spanish fans will give them even more motivation.

In terms of the tyres, Pirelli has chosen the intermediate range made up of C2, C3 and C4. Since there are no precedents, the choice was made based on the simulations. The expected stresses are significant and comparable to those of demanding tracks such as Silverstone and Francorchamps.  In addition, the choice could favour s two-stop strategy and offer greater protection from overheating in high temperatures.

Therefore, Madrid is a big unknown. Mercedes comes from the spectacular one-two in Monza, McLaren needs to bounce back after a disappointing weekend that fell well below expectations, Ferrari is looking to redeem itself immediately and Verstappen is still an adversary not to be underestimated.

On a circuit where we are essentially starting from scratch, I believe the skill of the drivers to adapt, their work on the simulators and above all the speed of the teams in interpreting the data collected after the first free practice sessions will be crucial.

Gian Carlo Minardi

THE WORLD OF MINARDI IN THE NEW APP: HISTORY, FORMULA 1 AND THE HISTORIC MINARDI DAY ALWAYS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

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Available free of charge for Apple and Android devices, the new Minardi App gathers the articles and comments by Gian Carlo Minardi, the history of the Minardi Team and an ample section dedicated to the Historic Minardi Day.

Starting today, the world of Minardi is even closer to its fans. Available for Apple and Android devices, the new Minardi App, designed to gather in a single unique digital space, the news, history and events connected to one of the best known and appreciated names of Italian motorsport.

The new application lets you follow all the articles signed by Gian Carlo Minardi, including the analyses dedicated to the Formula 1 World Championship, and the now traditional “IL PUNTO / THE POINT” column, through which the founder of the Minardi Team makes comments and analyses the Grand Prix races, the frontrunners and the main teams, technicians and sportsmen of the World Championship.

Of course, an ample space is reserved for the history of the Minardi Team, the protagonists of more than twenty years in the Formula 1 World Championship. Thorough the App fans will be able to leaf through this extraordinary adventure, discovering racing cars that took the name Minardi to all the world’s circuits and the drivers who wrote its history.

One space is dedicated entirely to the Historic Minardi Day, the event that every year brings to Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit racing cars, historic cars, drivers and fans.

Ahead of the 10th edition, scheduled for Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, with the App it will be possible to look up the event’s programme, have access to photos and discover the cars taking part in the 2026 edition.

Furthermore, during the two days of Historic Minardi Day, the App will let you follow the live webcams installed in the circuit to experience up close what happens on the track and in the paddock. There is also space for “Shorts”, quick and immediate contents through which trivia, news, and last-minute updates from the Imola Circuit will be told.  In this way, the App will become a real travelling companion for experiencing the Historic Minardi Day, for both those in the circuit and the fans who will want to follow the event from far away.

The new App was created for the purpose of creating a digital point of reference for all the fans of the world of Minardi, bringing together the past, present and future: from the history of the Minardi Team to the current Formula 1 narrated by Gian Carlo Minardi, up to the Historic Minardi Day and the cars the continue to bring back some of the most fascinating pages of the history of motorsport.

The new Minardi App is now available for download on the Apple App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/minardi/id6782636438) and the Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.minardi&pcampaignid=web_share).

 

F1 | ITALIAN GP , THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “FROM ASCARI TO ANTONELLI, KIMI MADE HISTORY IN MONZA”

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This was a special day that confirmed once again how much Italy is a key player on the international motorsport scene.

My first round of applause goes to ACI for the wonderful organization of the Italian Grand Prix. New record attendances were set, and we saw a very well-organized event on a par with the history and prestige of Monza.

Making this weekend even more special were our young people who made the Italian National Anthem resonate and gave us major results. Thank you goes to all these young men who, with their commitment and their results, are contributing to making Italian motorsport stronger and stronger.

Congratulations to Nicola Lacorte, the frontrunner in Formula 3 with a wonderful win in Monza, and to Emanuele Olivieri who, in Imola, won Race-1 of the Regional Formula and took second place in Race-2, confirming his place at the top of the ladder.

Of course, today we saw something that will remain forever in the history of our motorsport thanks to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s extraordinary win.

Sixty years after the last win by an Italian driver in the Italian Grand Prix, Kimi took Italy’s flag back to the top step of the podium in Monza with an extraordinary race that he built up starting from nineteenth place and finishing when he decisively overtook his teammate George Russell at the Ascari Variation three laps before the chequered flag.

This win takes in even greater significance when we consider the history of our motorsports. Antonelli came to Monza as the leader of the World Championship, something that had not happened with an Italian driver since Alberto Ascari. Winning his home race while starting from the back of the grid is a feat that speaks not only of speed, but also his maturity, determination and the ability to read the race.

What impressed me the most was Antonelli’s race pace. He was consistently fast throughout the race, progressively making up ground until he caught up to Russell. At that point we saw a thrilling confrontation between the two Mercedes drivers that Antonelli settled in the final laps. He did not just make up ground – he caught up to his teammate and beat him on the track.

He then completed an impeccable race by setting the fastest lap right on the very last lap. It was an extremely positive signal of the mastery and security that he has achieved at the wheel of the racing car, and a win that is worth a lot in terms of the World Championship.

On the eve we had highlighted how Monza could have been the circuit most suitable to serve the penalty connected to the power unit, thanks to the characteristics and the chances for overtaking. Kimi exceeded all expectations, transforming a weekend that, on paper, could have been raced on the defensive into one of the best and most significant wins of his young career.

We saw a truly thrilling race, characterized by intense battles, overtaking and lots of excitement. I believe that it was one of the best weekends experienced in Monza in recent years: Mercedes, as was predictable on a track with these characteristics, took a splendid one-two finish, ahead of Max Verstappen who never gives up and took an excellent third place.

Once again, unfortunately, I believe that on the Ferrari front, they should talk less and act more. The result was certainly below expectations, with Charles Leclerc retiring in the early laps and Lewis finishing Hamilton only sixth.

I find it hard to understand what happened in the first lap between the two Ferraris, including the subsequent mistake by Leclerc. Starting from third and fourth places, I believe that the priority should have been to keep the positions and think in terms of the team. Instead, they threw away points which could have been very important in the fight for second place on the World Constructors’ Championship.

It was a weekend that fell below expectations also for McLaren. They knew they had to come to Monza in a more defensive position compared to the recent races, but they probably hoped to harvest something more than Norris’ fourth place and fifth place for Piastri. The unique characteristics of the Monza circuit may have played a role, but after the great progress seen in recent races, it will be interesting to see, as early as the next race, whether what happened in Monza was only an isolated episode connected to the track, or whether Mercedes managed  to set up an important gap once again.

Instead, it was a positive weekend for Alpine that started with a pole position that was certainly hard to predict on the eve. The race then largely restored the values on the field, but it remains an important result in the battle for fifth place in the battle with Racing Bulls in the Constructors Championship. For its part, Racing Bulls managed to get both cars into the top 10, earning precious points.

And once again, the Italian public showed that it is a sporting audience and not fanatical. Seeing all the fans on their feet for the last lap, ready to cheer Kimi Antonelli for a win that seemed almost impossible the day before was one of the most wonderful sights of the day.

Monza applauded an Italian driver who won the Italian Grand Prix. This was an image that had been missing for sixty years, and one I believe that all of us will remember for a long time.

Before closing, I would also like to also share some news that is particularly important for us.  From today, the new Minardi App, which was designed to bring our world together in one place, is available for Apple and Android. All my articles, including “IL PUNTO/THE POINT” dedicated to the Formula Grands Prix, the history of the Minardi Team with the racing cars and the drivers which were part of that history and an ample section dedicated to the Historic Minardi Day.

Ahead of the 10th edition of the Historic Minardi Day, scheduled for Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, with the App it will be possible to look up the event’s programme, find out ab out the cars taking part, see photos and videos and, during the weekend, follow the webcams installed at the circuit and the “Shorts” with trivia, news and last-minute updates. It is a new way to always stay in touch with the world of Minardi and to experience our passion for motorsport together.

Download the new Minardi App:
Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | ITALIAN GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “MONZA A CRUCIAL TURNING POINT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. MERCEDES MUST STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE BY MCLAREN”

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GP Portogallo F1 – Archivio Minardi Team

The Formula 1 World Championship lands in Monza for one of the most awaited and fascinating rounds of the whole season. The Italian Grand Prix is always special, but this year it takes on an even greater significance given the tight competition that has characterized the championship so far and the presence of Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the top of the world championship ladder.

Monza is a unique circuit and completely different from Zandvoort. It is the Temple of Speed, a circuit in which aerodynamic efficiency, the power of the power unit, the speed on the straight and stability in braking are essential. The cars will race with very low downforce configurations, and it will be particularly difficult to find the right balance of being fast on the long straights without overly penalizing the car on the chicanes and the fast corners.

It will also be interesting to see the energy management. Monza’s long straights are an important challenge for the new generation power units, and it will be crucial to find the right balance between recharging and use of electric power. Furthermore, the simulations indicate lap times significantly faster than last season, and this will add another interesting element.

From what we saw at Zandvoort, one of the main themes of the weekend will be Mercedes’ response to McLaren’s progress. Lando Norris comes to Monza on the back of two consecutive wins and the team from Woking has taken great steps forward in recent races, managing to transform technical developments into performance and results.

Mercedes is still an extremely competitive car, as it showed with second and third place finishes in Holland by Antonelli and Russell, but now it is called to respond. Major updates are expected here in Monza, and it will be interesting to assess their effectiveness on a track with characteristics that are completely different from those of Zandvoort.

For Andrea Kimi Antonelli this will inevitably be a special weekend. He comes to his home Grand Prix as the leader of the World Championship and in front of the Italian crowd, but he must deal with the grid penalty for the introduction of new components of the power unit.

This was a strategic decision by Mercedes. We are entering into the phase of the season in which even the management of the components and any penalties become essential, and Monza, thanks to the characteristics of the track and the greater possibility of overtaking, may be one of the best tracks for limiting the consequences.

It will therefore be important for Kimi to have a faultless weekend.  Up to now he has shown great skill in reading the races, managing the tyres and adapting to different situations. These very qualities will be essential on Sunday to make up ground and secure important points in the World Championship. Watch out for the first turn!

Ferrari arriva invece davanti al proprio pubblico con l’obiettivo di essere protagonista. Nelle ultime gare abbiamo visto segnali positivi, alternati però a fine settimana nei quali non è riuscita a raccogliere quanto avrebbe potuto. Monza rappresenterà quindi un altro banco di prova importante per capire il reale livello della vettura e la capacità della Scuderia di inserirsi nella lotta tra Mercedes e McLaren; a tal proposito sembra che anche loro portino sviluppi importanti in particolare legati alla power unit.

On the other hand, Ferrari comes to its home crowd with the aim of being a front runner. We saw positive signs in recent races, alternating however with weekends in which it did not achieve as much as it could have. So, Monza is another important testing ground for understanding the true potential of the car and the capacity of the Team to join the battle between Mercedes and McLaren: and in this regard, it seems that they too are bringing major developments, particularly regarding their power unit.

There is of course a lot of attention also on Red Bull. Max Verstappen’s Dutch Grand Prix ended practically immediately, but the four times world champion remains a driver who can make the difference even when the car does not seem at its best. Monza will also be an interesting testing ground to assess the performance of the Red Bull on the long straights.

On the tyre front, Pirelli has chosen C3, C4 and C5 as Hard, Medium and Soft respectively. All three compounds could be used during the race; a lot will depend on the temperatures of both the air and the asphalt.

On paper, the strategy should be aimed at only one stop, also considering the time travelling through Monza’s pit lane. However, a lot will depend on the management of overheating, especially the rear axle exhaust which is under great stress during acceleration.

And it is the management of the tyres that could be one of the most interesting technical aspects of the weekend. The strong accelerations coming out of the chicanes, together with the power available, will require particular attention, while stability in braking and traction will be essential to putting together a competitive lap.

We are now entering the phase of the season in which simply having the fastest car is not enough. Technical developments, reliability, the management of the components of the power units (here the accelerator will be wide open for 75% of the race) and resulting penalties will be decisive, as well as the strategies of course. Within the teams the pecking order will also begin to take shape increasingly clearly as the battle for the World Championship intensifies.

Also keep a keen eye on the young Italian drivers involved in the training categories. In Formula 2, Gabriele Mini comes to his home race in second place on the ladder and after a season that has seen him constantly among the front runners. It will be an important weekend for the race in the title, and I expect him to be in the top positions again. In Formula 3, there will be 3 Italians at the start: Brando Badoer, currently fifth in the championship, Matteo De Palo and Nicola Lacorte. It will be interesting to watch them in front of their home crowd during a weekend that has special significance for our entire movement.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | DUTCH GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “ZANDVOORT RETURNS WITH THE SPRINT RACE. THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS ENTERING ITS DECISIVE PHASE”

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After the summer break the Formula 1 World Championship takes to the track once again for the Dutch Grand Prix. It is a particularly significant restart because this is the final edition of the Dutch race: from next year Zandvoort will be dropped from the calendar.,

So, it will be a special weekend, especially for Max Verstappen who will race his home Grand Prix for the last time in front of his home crowd. This is where the Dutchman built a major part of his recent history, taking three wins, and it will be interesting to see if he will be able to say goodbye to Zandvoort with another result as a front runner.A

The circuit is very distinctive and gives nothing away. Its 4,259m are characterized with 14 bends, some of them very fast, and especially the two banked bends, 3 and 14, which have inclines of 19 and 18 degrees respectively. These characteristics impose very high vertical and lateral loads on the tyres, and it will be essential to find the right balance of aerodynamics and management of the tyres.

For this round Pirelli has chosen C2, C3 and C4 as the Hard, Medium and Soft respectively, the same combination used last year. The choice of the softest range contributed to the two-stop race in 2025 race, also thanks to the interventions by the Safety Car. This year it will be interesting to see how the teams will interpret this combination once again, and whether the Sprint Race might further alter their approach to the management of the tyres.

Another element that is not to be underestimated will be the level of the grip. Zandvoort is very close to the sea and the sand carried by the wind could alter the conditions of the track, even during the same weekend. And the wind will also be another important variable, especially with this generation of racing cars and with their current aerodynamic characteristics.

The Sprint format will make everything even more complicated. Drivers and mechanics will have only one session of free practice, one hour in which to find the proper setup for the car before facing the qualifying for the Sprint, the Sprint Race, qualifying and the Grand Prix. So, it will be crucial to come well prepared and able to quickly assess the behaviour of the car.

After having seen the first half of the season, Mercedes is still the benchmark. Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes to the restart as the leader of the championship with 219 points, with Lewis Hamilton on 169 and George Russell on 160. The lead built up by the young Italian is significant, but it certainly does not allow him to let his guard down. With many points still in up for grabs and the Sprint format increasing the chances to shake up the ladder, the balance of power could change every weekend.

In the first part of the season Antonelli demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to manage the race and the tyres. As well as a maturity that continues to surprise given his young age. He will now need to maintain his consistency in the second half of the championship, knowing that the pressure will inevitably increase.

On the other hand, Ferrari comes to Zandvoort after a period in which it showed mixed results. Charles Leclerc’s win at Silverstone was a significant moment, but in Hungary the Team failed to continue that progress. Therefore, Zandvoort will be another test to gauge how Ferrari really measures up against Mercedes and McLaren.

And McLaren really is one of the great unknowns of the second half of the season. After having demonstrated significant progress in recent races, the team finally realized its true potential with Lando Norris’ first win of the season. This was an important sign that McLaren has returned to the fight for the top places and it will be interesting to see whether the win in Budapest marks the start of a new phase in the championship.

Even Red Bull deserves a great deal of attention. Max Verstappen continues to obtain impressive results even when the car does not seem to have the potential to stay constantly at the top.  And at Zandvoort he will also have a special incentive: to bid farewell to his home crowd with a performance that lives up to their expectations.

So, the second half of the season will open with many questions. Mercedes must prove its superiority; Ferrari must give continuity to the progress shown in the fits and starts; McLaren must show that the win in Hungary was not a fluke; and Red Bull must continue to make the best of every occasion.

Furthermore. Zandvoort will be a particularly interesting circuit to evaluate the capacity of the teams to adapt quickly to the conditions and the new format. With only be one hour of free practice, and the Sprint race already scheduled, there will not be much time to correct any mistakes in the setup.

Therefore, we expect a very intense and important weekend for the World Championship. After the summer break they will restart with the championship wide open and many points up for grabs.

Zandvoort will be the start of the decisive phase of the season and, with Monza coming straight after, even Italy’s motorsport is getting ready for some particularly important weekends.

Gian Carlo Minardi

THE HISTORIC MINARDI DAY IS HEADING FOR A FULL HOUSE: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AT THE CHECCO COSTA MUSEUM, F1 RACING CARS AND GREAT PROTAGONISTS OF MOTORSPORT. TICKETS ON SALE ON TICKETONE.

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A few short weeks after the opening of sales, the tenth edition of the Historic Minardi Day is already headed to a full house. The event, scheduled for Saturday 19 and Sunday 29 September 2026 at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit is drawing extraordinary interest from the teams, collectors and owners of historic cars.

Already sold out for both days are the slots reserved for Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3000, GP2, Prototypes and GT cars. On the other hand, there are still a limited number of spots for Formula 3, GP3, minor formulas and historic GT cars, confirming the great expectations that accompany the tenth anniversary edition and that already lets us imagine a new record attendance. There is also great enthusiasm from the fans for the track days, a unique experience that is open to everyone. The organization is working to accept the many requests received which exceeded the initial planned availability.

In 2026 there will also be a full programme on the track which will feature Formula 1 racing cars, including Minardi, Racing Bulls, Ferrari, Williams, Tyrrell, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Aston Martin, Arrows, Wolf, Osella, Shadow, and March, that wrote memorable pages of the history of the World Championship, alongside cars from Formula 2, Formula 3, GP3, Formula 3000, Formula Junior, as well as Prototypes, Historic GT cars, and other racing cars. These cars are a unique heritage of history, technology, and passion which will come back to life along the 4,909m of the Imola track.

Now a well-established fixture and an integral part of the Historic Minardi Day programme, the ACI Storico Festival returns for its tenth edition. The highlight of Sunday 20 September will be the Rally of the Lands of the Romagna organized by the Automobile Club Ravenna. One hundred members of ACI Storico will be able to particulate free of charge in the Rally of the Romagna and, in the afternoon, experience first-hand the event’s programme. As per tradition, the rally’s full programme will see the start from the Imola Circuit, stopping at Faenza for a visit to the Local Council Art Gallery and return to the circuit for a parade lap of the track and the conclusion of the event.

Among the new attractions of the 2026 edition, the Checco Costa Museum will be transformed into a dedicated space celebrating the history and culture of motorsport. The public will be able to admire an exclusive photographic exhibition marking the tenth anniversary of the Historic Minardi Day, set among the wonderful historic Formula 1 racing cars, while also attending the talks with authors and protagonists from the world of motorsport during the many book launches and award ceremonies scheduled throughout the weekend.

Attending will be some of the most authoritative signatures of motorsport. Included in the appointments (in order of scheduling) and already confirmed are Diego Alverà, author of “Giro di pista. Circuiti e piloti che hanno fatto la storia della velocità” (A lap of the track, Circuits and drivers who shaped the history of speed,; Umberto Zapelloni, with “Formula Italia: Le auto e i piloti che hanno fatto la storia della F1” (Formula Italia: The cars and the drivers who shaped the history of F1) ; Mario Donnini, together with Bruno Giacomelli, and Andrea Cordovani, for a double presentation dedicated to “Bruno Giacomelli – Continuavano a chiamarmi Jack O’Malley” (Bruno Giacomelli, they kept calling me Jack O’Malley) and “Crime & Motorsport”; Veronica Vesco, with  “Michael Schumacher. Una storia indimenticabile” (Michael Schumacher: An unforgettable story); Sergio Remondino, together with Stefano Casadio, for the presentation of “Una Lancia nel cuore – Riccardo Errani, la Delta, i rally” (A Lancia in the heart – Riccardo Errani, the Delta, the rallies); and Riccardo Patrese, with “Da Niki a Kimi. Coraggio, tecnica e passione nella F1 di ieri e di oggi” (From Niki to Kimi, technique and passion in Formula 1 yesterday and today). On Sunday 20 September from 12:00 noon to 12:45, Gian Carlo Minardi will meet the Presse and the fans for an open discussion. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts on the current state of motorsport and outline future prospects and plans.

On Saturday September 19, on the occasion of the traditional photo on the track with all the participants scheduled for 1.00pm. the “Fernando Minardi Memorial Award” will be presented.

There will be no lack of traditional entertainment inside the paddock, with professional simulators, models, the Motor Memorabilia, LEGO® exhibitions and many activities dedicated to fans and families.

Already available on TicketOne are the tickets to see the tenth edition of the Historic Minardi Day, with the chance to choose between daily tickets and weekend passes valid for the whole event. Also confirmed for 2026, in limited numbers, is the VIP formula, reserved for people 16 years and over, which will allow guests to experience the event from a privileged position thanks to access to Pit-Lane and a private area with a terrace overlooking the track. Among the major new attractions of the tenth anniversary edition will be the debut of the new Experience package also available exclusively on TicketOne and designed for participants 16 years and over. This is an even more exclusive experience reserved for fans who wish to experience the Historic Minardi Day as protagonists, with privileged access to the fourth-floor Terrace (Tower) Lounge, access to the Podium for the group photo, premium content, and dedicated services. For those dreaming of taking to the track in their own car, a limited number of Parade Tickets is available which include entry for the Sunday, parking inside the Circuit and the chance to take part, at about 6.00pm, in the final celebratory lap behind the Safety Car, alongside the other registered cars.

With the main categories already full, and the last places available for the other classes, the Historic Minardi Day is getting ready to celebrate it tenth anniversary with record numbers and content. It will be a weekend in which the past, present and future of motorsport will come back to meet at the place which, more than any other, represents passion for racing.

All the information about registration, the programme and the entertainments are available on our official pages.

F1 | HUNGARIAN GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “BUDAPEST WILL PUT THE PROGRESS OF FERRARI TO THE TEST”

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Nicolas Kiesa (DEN) Minardi Cosworth PS03.
Formula One World Championship, Rd13, Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring, Hungary, 23 August 2003.
DIGITAL IMAGE

The F1 World Championship moves to the Hungaroring for the final round before the summer break. If Spa-Francorchamps was one of the fastest and complete circuits on the calendar, Budapest offers completely different characteristics and will present the teams and drivers with a totally different technical challenge.

The Hungaroring is a twisty circuit full of medium and low speed corners, so much so that it is often compared to a go-kart track. There are few straights, and they are relatively short, while overtaking is traditionally very difficult. For this reason, qualifying will be even more important and starting at the front could prove to be a decisive advantage.

While at Spa managing the recharging on the long straights was crucial, in Hungary it will be above all the aerodynamic downforce, the traction out of the corners, the car’s balance, and the management of the tyres that will make the difference. Furthermore, the high temperatures that traditionally accompany the Hungarian weekend will put the cars, the drivers and the tyres under pressure, making management of the race even more important.

From what we saw in recent races, I still consider Mercedes the benchmark of the World Championship. Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes to Hungary on the back of his win in Belgium (his sixth of the season) and with a significant lead in the world championship standings. The team has demonstrated that it has an extremely competitive racing car, but it will be interesting to see how it performs on a track with completely different characteristics.

On the other hand, Ferrari arrives in Hungary with full of confidence following the excellent signs shown in Spa-Francorchamps. Charle Leclerc’s race pace confirmed the progress made by the SF-26, to which must be added Hamilton’s fourth place despite the 5” second penalty he served during his pit stop. But the Hungaroring is an even more significant testing ground. It the Team can confirm its competitiveness even on a track with characteristics that are completely different compared to those in Belgium, then we will be able to say that the car’s development is now fully established and not linked solely to the specific features of a single circuit.

Keep a keen eye on Red Bull as well. Max Verstappen remains one of the main contenders for the win and on a track where the driver’s skill can still make the difference, he will certainly be one of the front runners.  McLaren is also worth keeping an eye on, it has shown significant signs of improvement in recent races, and at the Hungaroring it may find a circuit that suits the characteristics of their car.

From a technical point of view, Pirelli has chosen C3, C4 and C5 as Hard, Medium and Soft respectively. This choice leaves a number of strategic options open, although a lot will depend on the temperatures of the asphalt and how the track develops over the weekend.

In addition, the Hungaroring is a circuit that puts the cars’ cooling systems under severe strain. The low average speeds and the high temperatures in fact reduce the airflow to the engine, brakes and mechanical parts.

I expect an extremely closely fought Grand Prix.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | BELGIAN, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “RECHARGING AND RELIABILITY ARE THE KEYS TO THE WEEKEND”

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The Formula 1 World Championship stops at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most iconic and spectacular tracks of the whole calendar. With its 7,004m, this is the longest track of the championship and represents one of the most comprehensive tests for the drivers and the cars.

Spa contains all the elements that a racing car must possess to be competitive: long straights, very high-speed bends such as Eau Rouge-Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont, steep changes in height, hard braking and constant alternation between speed and traction. This is a track that simultaneously puts the engine, aerodynamics, chassis, management of the tyres, recharging and reliability to the test.

From what we saw in recent races, I still consider Mercedes the benchmark for the world championship. The car has shown that it has an extremely competitive race pace and, race after race, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is proving his extraordinary progress in both the management of the tyres and his ability to read the race. In any case, reliability continues to be the team’s main concern We saw this clearly at Silverstone with Antonelli and, more generally, on several occasions over the last few weeks. I am convinced that the World Championship will also be decided by this factor.

Ferrari comes to Belgium knowing that it has made great progress during the season. The wins by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc confirmed the growth of the SF-26, but Spa will present a very different testing, and it will show us if the team can remain at the top, even on such a comprehensive and demanding track.

Keep a keen eye on Red Bull as well. Max Verstappen is still one of the most competitive drivers of the championship and on a track like Spa, where a driver’s talent can still make the difference, he will surely be one of the front runners, especially in qualifying. Furthermore, Spa is a circuit that the Dutchman knows perfectly well and on which he has often shown his qualities. Many teams will bring further updates, especially in aerodynamics, which could alter the balance once again.

But do not underestimate McLaren either. The world champion team is called upon to build on the progress shown in recent races, and Spa is an ideal testing ground for evaluating the effectiveness of the modifications introduced to the car. In such a tightly fought championship even a few tenths of a second can make a great difference.

From a technical point of view, the management of the tyres will be one of the essential aspects of the weekend. For this race, Pirelli has chosen the C2, C3 and C4 compounds as the Hard, Medium and Soft respectively. Unlike last year’s race, this year there will be no change of compounds, a choice that should offer more flexibility in the strategies, and leave various scenarios open, especially in the case of variable weather conditions.

Another aspect that deserves particular attention will be the energy management of the power unit. In fact, Spa-Francorchamps’ long straights will put the recharge and the use of the energy to the test, a factor which could affect the performance in both qualifying and race pace. Finding the right balance between performance, efficiency and recharging will be one of the most challenging tasks for the engineers and the drivers.

However, as often happens in Spa, the real unknown factor will be the weather. This is one of the few circuits in the world where it can rain in one section while another remains completely dry, forcing drivers and teams to make split second decisions. Also keep an eye out for the possible entry of the Safety Car which, on such a long track, can completely change the course of the race and shake up the strategies in a few seconds.

The weekend’s programme will follow the traditional format, with three sessions of free practice ahead of qualifying and the race. On such a demanding track, every kilometre covered will be invaluable for fine tuning the set up and for collecting data ahead of the decisive moments of the weekend.

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the key rounds of the season. It is a track that rarely deceives and provides back a very accurate picture of the real forces in the field. For this reason, I expect an extremely hard-fought race from which we will be able to draw important conclusions ahead of the second half of the season.

Gian Carlo Minardi

BRITISH GRAND PRIX GIAN CARLO MINARDI “SILVERSTONE THE TESTING GROUND FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP”

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After having filed away the Austrian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 World Championship arrives at Silverstone, one of the iconic venues of world motorsport. It was here, on May 13, 1950, the first Formula 1 World Championship began with the British Grand Prix. Together with Monza, it is one of the few rounds to have spanned every era of the series, becoming one of the most iconic and prestigious circuits of the entire calendar.

From the technical point of view, Silverstone represents one of the severest testing grounds of the season. Legendary corners such as the Copse, Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel and Stowe demand racing cars that are extremely efficient aerodynamically, perfectly balanced and capable of maintaining very high speeds. It is one of those circuits that rarely conceal the limitations of the car and, on the contrary, highlight all its qualities.

Further raising the stakes will be the Spring format. Teams and drivers will have only one session of free practice before diving into the heart of the weekend with qualifying on Friday. Therefore, the time to find the best compromise in the asset will be extremely limited, particularly for those teams bringing technical updates. On such a comprehensive circuit, it will be even more important to start on the right foot.

Patrick Friesacher (AUT) Minardi Cosworth PS05 leads Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) McLaren Mercedes MP4/20.
Formula One World Championship, Rd11, British Grand Prix, Race Day, Silverstone, England, 10 July 2005.
DIGITAL IMAGE

In terms of the tyres, Pirelli chose the hardest of the ranges: C1 as the Hard, C2 as the Medium and C3 as the Soft. This choice was dictated by the characteristics of the English track, where the tyres are subjected to the highest lateral loads of the entire championship. Barring any surprises, the strategy will likely be based on a single stop, although the English weather has always represented one of the major unknown factors of the weekend and it could completely alter the scenario of the race.

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are demonstrating all the value of the Mercedes that, despite some concerns about the reliability which prevented it from achieving the results completely in proportion to its performances shown on the track, it remains the benchmark for the entire grid.

On the other hand, Ferrari faces a crucial test After the win in Barcelona and the step back in Austria, it will be vital to find its continuity once again. Silverstone provides the ideal testing ground to assess the effectiveness of the updates introduced in recent weeks and to understand whether the gap from Mercedes can be further reduced.

I would also keep a very close eye on McLaren. The Constructors’ world championship winning team is certainly passing through a more difficult period compared to expectations. In recent races it seemed the top team in most difficulty, both in terms of the performance and the continuity of results. Silverstone, which is its home race, will be a key round for understanding whether they will be able to reverse this trend.

Of course, we cannot exclude Max Verstappen from the fight. In Austria the Dutchman proved once again that he can make the difference, especially in qualifying. If the updates introduced by Red Bull confirm the progress shown in the last Grand Prix, he will be one of the leading contenders once again.

Furthermore, Italian motorsport is continuing its extremely positive spell. Andrea Kimi Antonelli is now a key contender at the very top of Formula 1, Gabriele MIni leads the Formula 2 championship, Brando Badoer continues to grow in Formula 3 and Leonardo Fornaroli, Mclaren’s third driver, represents another important Italian presence in the Formula 1 paddock. These results confirm the quality of the work carried out in recent years by Italian motorsport community and the Federal School.

Silverstone is one of the circuits that reveals the true character of both the men and the cars. For this reason, I expect an extremely interesting weekend, one that will give us very important insights into how the World Championship is shaping up.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | SPANISH GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “MERCEDES IS THE BENCHMARK BUT KEEP AN EYE ON RELIABILITY”

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GP Spagna F1 1997 – Archivio Minardi Team

After the unique and particular round in Monte Carlo, Formula 1 moves to Barcelona for a Grand Prix that has always represented one of the most significant tests of the whole season.

The track in Catalonia is probably the one that the teams and drivers know best. For many years it has been the setting for the winter tests and offers a very comprehensive range of technical challenges: very fast bends, tighter sections, long straights and demanding braking points. For this very reason, it is a track that allows us to evaluate very precisely the true potential of a car.

Furthermore, barely six months ago Barcelona hosted the first private tests of the new generation of racing car. It was the first true opportunity to get to know these cars, and it represented an important moment for collecting data and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the new designs. Today, going back to the same circuit will allow the teams to gauge the progress made during the season.

While Monte Carlo highlights the qualities of the driver and the precision of the car’s set up, Barcelona rewards the overall balance of the car. Aerodynamics, efficiency, management of the tyres and race pace will be decisive during the weekend.

We are coming to Spain at a moment when a Mercedes Team that is passing through a particularly positive time. Five consecutive wins by Andrea Kimi Antonelli was certainly not a fluke, but the result of a plan that has continued to improve race after race. Mercedes’ advantage lies not just in the power unit, but above all on the overall quality of the plan, as demonstrated by Antonelli’s 37 laps with the Medium tyres whilst maintaining extremely competitive times. This is an important sign in terms of both the chassis and the management of the tyres. However, keep an eye on reliability that continues to be a key variable throughout the season.

In addition to Antonelli’s results, we are experiencing a particularly positive moment for the whole of Italian motorsport. Andrea Kimi leads the Formula 1 World Championship, while Gabriele Mini goes to Barcelona at the head of the Formula 2 ladder. Added to this is the recent victory by Brando Badoer in Formula 2 in Monte Carlo, further confirming the quality of Italy’s young drivers. In addition, we must not forget Leonardo Fornaroli who in Spain will have the opportunity to take to the track during the first session of free practice at the wheel of the McLaren in place of Lando Norris. These are important signs that confirm the excellent work carried out in recent years by ACI Sport and the Federal School and they should be the source of pride for the whole movement.

I expect an important response from Ferrari. In Monaco the team showed encouraging signs, confirming that it is the second force of the championship despite Leclerc’s retirement. Now they need another step forward to close the gap from the two Mercedes and to reestablish themselves in the fight for victory.

Also keep an eye on McLaren and Red Bull. In this phase of the season all the teams are introducing updates and developments that could shift the balance of power we have seen so far. In fact, we are now entering  a crucial stage of the championship in which every detail can make the difference.

From the technical point of view, the management of the tyres will once again be one of the essential aspects of the weekend. The high temperatures of the asphalt and the many high-speed bends will put particular strain on the rear axis, making the work carried out during free practice even more important.

For this race Pirelli has chosen the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, as Hard, Medium and Soft respectively. This is a slightly more aggressive choice than in the past with the aim of widening the strategic options and encouraging a higher number of pitstops during the race. It will be interesting to see how the teams and drivers will respond to this choice during the weekend.

After the excitement of Monte Carlo, we now return to a track that represents one of the technical benchmarks of the World Championship. This is why I consider the Spanish Grand Prix essential for gauging the true values on the field and for determining whether the balance of power that came out in recent races will also hold true in the middle part of the season.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | MONACO GP, GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “IN MONTECARLO, QUALIFYING IS WORTH HALF THE RACE. PETROL COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE”

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Monte Carlo remains a unique round of the Formula 1 calendar. It is a sort of roulette where much of the result is decided on Saturday. On such a narrow and twisty track, qualifying takes on fundamental importance and, barring accidents, the safety car or unusual episodes, the race is very often already decided at the first corner.

This year we come to the Principality with some new changes to the regulations introduced primarily with safety in mind, including a ban on active aerodynamics. It will be interesting to see how these changes will affect the behaviour of the cars on a circuit that demands maximum downforce and an extremely precise setup.

At Monaco the power of the engine takes a step back compared to the efficiency of the chassis, the setup and the skill of the drivers to avoid the guardrails for lap after lap. As I had already stated, also keep an eye out for the importance of the fuel. On a track as unique as Monte Carlo, where the cars race with the maximum downforce, and where today any detail can make a difference, the quality of the fuel used by various teams could become an even more decisive factor.  When the times are so close, even apparently minor details could affect the final result. For these reasons, I expect a particularly close fought weekend.

Mercedes and McLaren are certainly the favourites but also keep an eye on Ferrari as they could well joint the battle at the top. On the Principality’s track, the engine plays a lesser role than on other tracks and the quality of the car’s setup could make all the difference.

In addition, Ferrari renewed Charles Leclerc’s contract This is a significant decision that ensures continuity for the team and will allow the driver from Monaco to approach his home grand prix with greater peace of mind, focusing solely on his work on the track.

From a technical point of view, Pirelli has once again chosen the softest compound range available: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft. The circuit features a very smooth asphalt, and, in some sections, it was resurfaced recently, particularly between turns 19 and 1, and between turn 7 and the entrance to the tunnel, as well as the entry and exit of pitlane. Traditionally, tyre wear is very low, and this could favour a one stop strategy.

This year a trial rule was introduced that required at least two pitstops, but the regulation was then scrapped and so the traditional strategy was reinstated. However, an eye must be kept on the potential issue of graining. Naturally, one of the variables to consider is the safety car which, in Monaco, could turn the race on its head in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, the weather forecast does not appear to be a decisive factor during the race.

Therefore, there are all ingredients for watching a spectacular Grand Prix, where precision, strategy and a cool head could prove even more important than sheer speed.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | CANADIAN GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI: “CAN MONTREAL SHAKE UP THE BALANCES?”

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It has been three weeks since the Miami Grand Prix and Formula One is landing in Montreal, Canada on the 4,351m long track named after Gilles Villeneuve. It is an unusual track characterized by long straights and particularly demanding spots of braking that put the brake systems under severe strain. The track has been resurfaced recently and is currently very smooth and not very abrasive. Furthermore, we are talking about a street-circuit and consequently the track will evolve significantly during the weekend. This year, in addition to the top category, Formula 2 will also be present.

The Sprint format will also make its debut in Montreal. For the teams and the drivers having only one session of free practice before the main event will be an additional challenge.

This year the circus is taking place in Canada a few weeks earlier than usual in the world championship calendar, and this could have a further impact also in terms of the weather. Weather conditions always represent a strong source of uncertainty because they can change very quickly due to the absence of mountains and the proximity of the ocean.

This is traditionally a race based on two-stops, but this year the choice could be for just one pit stop. As always, keep an eye out for the for the possible entry of the safety car.

Pirelli has chosen to bring the softest range of compounds available onto the track; C3 as the Hard, C4 the Medium and C5 the Soft. Potential graining must also be monitored.

As I have already mentioned, we are coming back from a three-week break and many teams – if not all of them -, will introduce technical updates to try to challenge the supremacy of the Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team. In the front row there will surely be McLaren which was revitalized in Miami, but keep an eye on Red Bull Racing and Ferrari too.

Speaking about Red Bull, Max Verstappen kept himself in shape by taking part in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. His race ended three hours before the finish, but it is always great to see champions of his calibre taking time for fun and put on a show for the fans.

Amongst the unknown factors, we must not forget the infamous “Wall of Champions “which is always insidious at the exit of the final chicane following the long straight.

Let’s hope for a good time and to hear Italy’s national anthem once again.

Gian Carlo Minardi