F1 | Claire Williams defends Stroll. Minardi "Lauda, Senna, Alonso had a sponsor too"

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Williams is living an important rearrangement. As we told today, Paddy Lowe is arriving from Mercedes to fill the role of Team Principal. Sir Frank Williams and his daughter Claire are ready to abdicate and hand over to Lawrence Stroll, closing the experience of the last garage owner.

I am glad that Claire Williams has gone back on a topic I have faced in these pages, an issue linked to the so called drivers with the suitcase. The arrival of the young Lance Stroll has caused a lot of stir since he is backed by a well-to-do father. In this moment, anyway, the boy is exempt by any criticism because he has been able to impose himself in all the championships he raced, proving an excellent management.

All of the Formula 1 drivers can be considered with the suitcase because their career is backed by sponsors from their first steps in karting. History is full of such examples. Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Fernando Alonso (just to mention the World Champions). They were backed by some economic supports, private or not.

We must not hide behind a glass. Motorsport is a cost environment that founds itself on sponsoring. In my opinion it is like to look for a needle in a haystack. Before pointing an accusing finger at this boy, we must give him the time to go on track and show himself.

F1 | Minardi “Paddy Lowe towards the direction of Williams"

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With his switch from Mercedes to Williams, after three years full in success, Paddy Lowe is preparing himself not only to change his jacket, but also to assume the role as Team Principal in the stable founded by sir. Frank Williams in 1977.

An era ends. The last cornerstone of F1 (Founder, Team Principal, and Team Manager) is ready to abdicate. This could mean that the reins of the stable have passed into Lawrence Stroll’s hands, the father of Lance who is about to debut this year into the Circus at the Williams wheel, (probably) beside of the returning Felipe Massa.

With Paddy Lowe, an important technician gets to the top brass of the stable. He can create the basis to rebuilt a winning course. A scenario already seen with Ross Brawn when he launched his namesake stable, and the following year sold it it to Mercedes with the world constructors’ and drivers’ 2016 titles in the pocket.

I wish this handover is an auspice for the English team that will count on Stroll’s substantial financial and managerial capabilities.

The displacement of the ex executive technical director of Mercedes is the last example of how Formula 1 has been changing. A Formula 1 that is increasingly in the hands of managers who now lead a team and then change their jacket.

It remains to guess the gardening leave period that Lowe will have to face before entering in action at Grove. That operation will trigger a sequence of procedures linked to the drivers’ market that we will face next days.

F1 | Silverstone ready to give up. Minardi «A worrying alarm-bell»

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If a circuit like Silverstone is thinking to leave the Circus of F1, in spite of its last years’s “sold out” there is something wrong in the system. It is an alarm bell very worrisome that we should face seriously.

We are talking abour an historic circuit with a great passionate and expert audience that fills up the platforms and the fields.We saw it last year, during the British grand prix won by their home champion Lewis Hamilton.

If in a reality like Silverstone the numbers do not add up, the system created by Ecclestone creaks dangerously. The same is true for Canada that would not payed yet.

Mr. Ecclestone denys any troubles since the governments would have the commitment to intervene to heal the accounts, and since F1 can do without Europe. Unfortunately, the Malaysian state (sponsor of Sepang’s grand prix) decided to leave F1 because it wouldn’t be a good investment.

We have to review the system giving more commercial spaces to the circuits, spaces useful to preserve the balance and renew the facilities. Going on along this way, they risk the collapse. The suffering circuits are increasing and the new ones don’t seem a guaranty. We have to remember that the roots of this sport are deeply-rooted in Europe along with the passion of its fan. 

The dark side of F1. Minardi «A questionable Mercedes choice »

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Felipe Nasr knows it very well. After rescuing the Sauber from a disastrous season (at the detriment of its rival Manor motorized by Mercedes) now risks a layoff by his team in favor of Pascal Wehrlein (driver at Manor).

We must step back till Sunday 12 November, the Brazilian Gp weekend and penultimate world championship event. Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein’s Manor was in the tenth place in the constructors’ standings thanks to the point achieved in Austria by his German driver. The tail-end out of the top ten is the Sauber.

Under the deluge in Sao Paulo, a race characterized by red flags, safety-car, and by the incredible Max Verstappen’s race, Felipe Nasr drags the Swiss stable till the ninth place, digging Manor out from the top-ten and giving a precious heap of millions of dollars coming from TV revenues to Sauber. In Abu Dhabi, no one of them conquers the point zone and the standings remains unchanged. The loss of income – a life vest for the little teams – brings the Manor into receivership with the great risk of not being able to take take part to the 2017 season.

After placing Esteban Ocon in Force India (motorized by Mercedes as well) at Nico Hulkenber’s place (who has moved to Renault), Toto Wolff would be redirecting Wehrlein (an official announcement still lacks) to Sauber beside the confirmed Erikkson, replacing the Brazilian driver Nasr.

The name of the German young driver had been put near Mercedes many times to substitute Nico Rosberg beside Lewis Hamilton, where, instead, it is awaited the Finnish Bottas, who should leave his place at williams for the returning Felipe Massa beside the neo 18-year-old Lance stroll.

A Mercedes choice that makes us discuss, since it has de facto contributed to the failure of his satellite team. 

F1 | Minardi «This is my F1» Happy New Year everyone

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Few more days, and we will leave another year behind. This sports season ended with the shocking news of the retirement of Nico Rosberg few hours after winning first World title and with Giovinazzi’s promotion – neo vice-champion GP2 – as a third Ferrari driver. In 2017, an Italian driver will be back in F1 via the Maranello’s pits.

A season slipped away with another Mercedes dominion. For the third year in a row it has conquered the titles constructors and drivers, collecting the beauty of 51 victories out of 59 grand prix. A Mercedes that has to face a big headache, having to chose a driver to place side by side with Lewis Hamilton maker of some announcement against his team. The Finnish driver Bottas is repeatedly indicated along with the flash return of Felipe Massa into Williams beside the rookie Lance Stroll.

A season that has been able to give us some moments rich in adrenalin during the grand prix in Monaco, Brazil, and Yas Marina.

A not easy season for all us Ferarri fans. Ferrari hasn’t gained any wins nor starts from the first row, it has been also surpassed by Red Bull protagonist of a great recovery pushed by a baby Verstappen. Ferrari ended just in the third place of the constructors’ standings.

Waiting for the new year

We are about to enter a 2017 that will give us important newness about regulations, with the return of large tires, design freedom, engines and cars with a more engaging aerodynamics.

It will be critical creating the basis to rebuilt F1 and to attract aficionados again. It will be a decisive year to understand Liberty Media projects. For this reason, I see many aspects on which we need to intervene, and I don’t see the budget-cut (it has been proposed again) as the most effective mean.

– I’d like to see again some days devoted to collective tests to attract the fans that have run away because their lack of interest and economic issues. We should come back into the track instead to spend for simulators.

– decreasing the number of the staff within the team. We should prohibit the remote-team, engineers’ teams on work at the general-headquarter simultaneously to the action on track, beyond having a score of engineers. On the other side, I would make free the development of engines and cars, without any limits.

– Pit-stops with just 8 mechanics. They would be more spectacular for the audience, televisionally speaking. The cars would be more visible as the sponsors that today disappear in a cloud of 28-30 people. It would be exciting from the strategies point of view, in addition to touching the costs entry.

In conclusion, a season rich in unknowns is awaiting us, with the hope that it could give us a greater fight for the first position and a competitive Ferrari capable to fight for the win.

Happy new year to everybody.

Minardi "A season rich in successes for ACI Team Italia"

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It has been a 2006 rich in success for the ACI Team Italia – a project strongly wanted by the Italian Automobile Club –, along with its four standard bearers, Antonio Giovinazzi, Raffaele Marciello, Luca Ghiotto, and Antonio Fuoco, it has raised our tricolor up in two of the most important international championships, GP3 and GP2 Series.

Their numbers

–  25 podia achieved within the season, among which 17 ones achieved in GP2 by its three “musketeers” Giovinazzi-Marciello-Ghiotto, and 8 ones signed in GP3 by Antonio Fuoco;

–  8 wins (6 in GP2 by its two rookies Giovinazzi-Ghiotto, and 2 in GP3);

–  5 successes by Antonio Giovinazzi (on the circuit of Baku, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, and Malaysia);

–  2 successes by Antonio Giovinazzi in the same weekend (Baku). The standard bearer of the Prema Team has been the only one to sign a double-win.

– 1 victory for Luca Ghiotto with the Trident team on the circuit of Sepang in Malaysia, and three podia;

– 5 podia for Raffaele Marciello;

– 2 victories for Antonio Fuoco in GP3 (Silverstone and Hockenheim);

– 2 second places and 4 third places for Antonio Fuoco.

 The results

Such important numbers have consigned to Antonio Giovinazzi not just the title of GP2 vice-champion, but the promotion as a third driver at the Ferrari Stable. An important goal representing the beginning of a new path for a driver who has already proved to have the appropriate mental and technical features to emerge.

It has been an important year for other drivers as well. At his debut, Luca Ghiotto conquered a victory in Malaysia and his season ended in the top-10 thanks to his eight place. For Raffaele Marciello, instead, the door for GT competitions could open up soon.

At the starting grid of GP2 2017, we will also see Antonio Fuoco, promoted after a positive GP3 season that he ended in the third absolute place, in the row of the champion team Prema, beside Leclerc.

One more time, these results highlight how much talent is within our national borders. Our drivers have nothing to envy their colleagues. We know that reaching Formula 1 is not easy because there are just 22 cars, but in all these years the federation has played a crucial role in the growth these boys following them actively since karting.

The announcement about Antonio Giovinazzi’s promotion as a third driver in the Ferrari Stable is the summit of the Aci training that is meant to identify and promote the most promising stars of the Italian motor sports.

We are  working on a 2017 even more rich in successes. Happy New Year everyone.

ACI Sport | Gian Carlo Minardi, a prestigious sport director

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Gian Carlo Minardi has lived this 2016 as an illustrious sport director.The Italian motor sport can count on the expertise and professionalism of this F1 constructor, an appreciated Team Manager in the major leagues who has a particular penchant for discovering new talent. He is currently in charge of the Youth Project of the Italian Automobile Club devoted to our home drivers most talented.

In the just ended season, Minardi has had a key role in the success of some leading events that had the chance to count on his professional direction: the 100th Targa Florio Historic Speed, the Motor Show, and the Minardi Day.

For the 100th Targa Florio, in the 100th edition of the oldest car race in the world, he coordinated the Targa Florio Historic Speed by handling the relationships with all the big names in motor sport history, all the names that brought back onto the Mythical streets the rumble of the legendary cars that have been able to reawaken all the never extinguished emotions in what was the diamond point of the event organized by AC Palermo and ACI Sport. His contribution to the Motor Show has been critical. Minardi worked in first person for the return of the historical F1 cars among which a Minardi F1 as well. At the Area 48 Motul Arena, in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Bologna’s kermesse, worldwide famous, its 8 and 12 cylinders have roared again.

The Historic Minardi day, that took place at the Circuit of Imola in June, was exciting as well with its sequence of big emotions along with the great names of the drivers and of the cars coming from the history of F1, F2, and F3. An appointment not to be missed for thousands of fans.

Fundamental his contribution in the circuit during the races of the ACI Sport Italian Championship. He has always a good intuition for the most promising young drivers. He follows the talented drivers of the Italian F4 Championship Powered by Abarth closely along with the staff of the Aci Sport Federal School, with which he also followed the Federal Supercourse 2016 Speed Section, giving advices to 4 very young drivers and following their growth in the Vallelunga circuit, step by step.

Source: ACISportItalia.it

F1 | Giovinazzi goes to Ferrari. Minardi «Further developments are possible»

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Antonio Giovinazzi is a driver of the Ferrari Stable. His season ends with a bang.

This is a very important step that will give the opportunity to grow further to a driver who has already proved all his value. Giovinazzi has the mental and technical traits to stand out. He is the result of a long job developed along with ACI Sport President Sticchi Damiani.

This result demonstrates that we have some talented drivers in Italy as well. We have been fought for several years in the most important championships and next year we will have Fuoco and Ghiotto in GP2, Pulcini and Iorandi in GP3, Colombo and Mosca in F4.

These boys are the fruit of a long work that the Federal School has begun several years ago, by monitoring the boys from their first steps in kart and during their formative apprenticeships.

Reaching Formula 1 is not easy because there are just 22 cars, but from now till the end of the year there could be a further evolution. Games are open, even if everything will depend on the Mercedes choice and on the driver that will be chosen to replace Nico Rosberg. Being able to race a whole season with a minor team would be an enormous opportunity for a driver who has proven his value for so many years.

Some years ago, I had already introduced Giovinazzi to Ferrari, but this meeting has become a something concrete only today. Unfortunately, since I had not a team anymore, I couldn’t prove on track what I had saw in him. Thanks to this agreement an Italian driver is back on the track as a third driver.

There are many irons on the fire. Let’s see what will happen in the upcoming weeks.

 

Clay Ragazzoni, Gian Carlo Minardi's memory

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10 years after his death,  Gian Carlo Minardi remember his friend Clay Regazzoni.

F1 | Mercedes-Williams: an exchange Lowe-Bottas?

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These are red-hot days in Formula 1, but especially at Mercedes which has to find a replacement not just for Nico Rosberg, but also for a winning technician like Paddy Lowe who, as we heard, has taken his way towards Grove.

We were aware that his contract was about to expire, but I didn’t expect a rift. Perhaps, some weeks ago a signal was sent by Toto Wolff when he declared that the team could count on a generational change to continue his positive result row.

Mercedes has exempted Lowe from the usual break of six-eight months. This could bring Bottas – a driver under Toto Wolff’s influence – alongside Hamilton and free an important place in Williams.

Do Alonso’s chances at Mercedes decrease?

Never say never. In this moment, Mercedes keeps all its doors open, in other words: the choice of a young like Wehrlein (who has taken part to Pirelli tests), the choice of a top driver or of a second driver (Bottas). Coming from an absolutely positive series, they are facing a not easy choice. Before of Rosberg’s flash announcement, Mercedes was evaluating some significant sport and technical decisions regarding Lewis Hamilton who pronounced strong words and assumed a behavior above the lines. Everything, anyway, has been overturned by Nico’s decision. As I have already said some time ago, if it was up to me, I would have no hesitations in turning the page and starting to write a new book along with a top driver. They have all what it takes for continuing to be leaders.

Williams – Who will be alongside Lance Stroll?

Wherever Lance Stroll has raced has won, we have to recognize it. His father has been very good at building a competitive team around him, and he hasn’t disappointed expectations. Many drivers, despite their economic support, have not reached certain results. Stroll has won Formula 4 in New Zealand and the International Formula 3. In this moment, Williams can count on a good economic return due to its good placement in the last years and with Lowe’s coming could venture in a middle term project for coming back to the glories of the past, by betting on a couple of young drivers. It could also become the Mercedes B-team at the detriment of a Force India hit by economic problems. We still have a Wehrlein on the market.

 

F1 | Mercedes loses another pawn. Minardi «Alonso badly managed»

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After Nico Rosberg’s retirement, Mercedes could lose another bigwig. According to the English parlors, the technical manager at Mercedes, Paddy Lowe would have done his luggage, ready to greet Brackley, because it hasn’t been found an economical agreement for the contract extension.

Arrived at Mercedes in July 2013 after being torn off from McLaren, the Technician from Cambridge could go back to Woking after three seasons rich in triumphs from both the point of view of Drivers and Constructors. These weeks, McLaren has been subject of an internal reorganization with Ron Dennis’ exit and Zak Brown’s arrival. In my opinion Lowe can’t accept the challenge just to try to revive the fortune of the stable. This action makes me think that a great engine constructor is accruing behind the curtains for 2018. As all the technicians, Lowe will have to face a gardening period (about 6-7 months) before being operative on the new front. This would bring him to work on the project for 2018.

It is the proof that the bond to the flag doesn’t exist anymore. The money god always governs. As history teaches us, after a winning period, there is a boarding towards the team to gain the best technician and his know-how with him. This is part of Formula 1 history.

In these very days, through Autosport website, Mercedes has published a job advertisement looking for a new driver. In this moment they have three different choice. Betting on a young driver placed side by side with Lewis Hamilton (see Ocon or Wherlein), or on a second driver like Bottas, the Finnish at William’s, or on a top driver.

Regarding this last option, I see Fernando Alonso in pole position, in spite of his manager’s denial. The Spanish driver, that I continue to consider the best driver in the Circus, in my opinion is paying a wrong management of his career where the economic aspect has been favored rather than the technical one. To date, Nando has just two world championship titles and is left out from the fight to reach those records reached by his colleagues. I don’t see a McLaren-Honda capable to win in the short run and at the end of 2017 Alonso could think to retire. Mercedes is his last chance to fight again for the title.

F1 | After-Rosberg. Possible scenarios

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Nico Rosberg’s retirement arrived like a bolt from the blue sky and involves not just Mercedes, but its paddock as well.

We are talking about of the best car in the last years that conquered three constructors’ and drivers’ world titles in as many seasons. We are talking about a team that has technically managed his drivers in an excellent way, letting them free to fight on the track.

As I have already said in the last days, I completely agree with Nico Rosberg’s choice, as I criticized Lewis Hamilton’s words and behavior.

Right now, we have understand what strategies the brand is going to follow. I see three possible scenarios:

Scenario 1 – Hamilton with a young driver: my DNA has always led me to cooperate with young drivers, and thus I would particularly agree with this path, especially because Mercedes has at home two young drivers like Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein. To date, the French driver has signed with Force India to take the place of Nico Hulkenberg passed to Renault.

Scenario 2 – Hamilton and a top driver: it is the solution strongly backed by Niki Lauda. A path that brought a lot of successes and world titles to Stuttgart. Just to name a few, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel – despite the statements of facts -.

Scenario 3 – Hamilton and a second driver: in Ferrari style with Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. In this case, the right name could be the standard bearer at William’s, Valtteri Bottas (managed by Toto Wolff).

Write a new book  

Considering the superpower of Mercedes, it is a no so impracticable path. I have never hidden it. I have not appreciated Lewis Hamilton’s expressions of opinion and behaviour, I found them detrimental toward the technical and sport image of his team. With Rosberg’s retirement, Toto Wolff &C. could decide to turn a blind eye on, anyway Hamilton’s layoff could open incredible scenarios. We are talking about a fictional drivers market, but in this moment Mercedes is the only team that could afford it.

F1 | Sensational, Nico Rosberg retires. Minardi "It will trigger World War III"

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Surprisingly, on his official Facebook page, Nico Rosberg has announced his immediate retirement from Formula 1.The World Champion has said enough.

“Since25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my “one thing” to become Formula One world champion.Through the hard work, pain, sacrifices, this has been my target. Now I have made it. I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak”.

Nico hangs up his overalls, gloves, and helmet to devote himself to his family. “This season was so damn tough. It has been a sacrifice for my whole family, everything was put aside for my goal. On Sunday morning, in Abu Dhabi, I knew it could be my last race, and and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience and then the lights went out and I had the most intense 55 laps of my life. I made my decision last Monday evening”, these are Nico Rosberg’s words.

We solicited the opinion of Gian Carlo Minardi committed to present the Motor Show in Bologna who has never hidden his support to the German driver at Mercedes in this long ride. “This is an unbelievable news, very hard to receive. We must to respect it and honor a champion like Nico Rosberg who has proved a great bond to the Mercedes brand. His decision will surely unleash an Apocalypse in the paddock. Who will be able to free himself contractually, will do it. Suddenly, the wheel and the seat of the best car in the Circus are freed, a car that this year has managed to conquer 19 wins on 21 grand prix”, the manager from Faenza observes. “Mercedes will have to make a careful evaluation to built its 2017 team along with a driver, Lewis Hamilton who hasn’t been so clear with the team”.

In a press release, Mercedes greets and thanks his champion through Toto Wolff’s words. “This is a brave decision by Nico and testament to the strength of his character.He has chosen to leave at the pinnacle of his career, as world champion. I accepted his decision straight away when he told me.For the team, this is an unexpected situation but also an exciting one. We are going into a new era of technical regulations and there is a free Mercedes cockpit for the seasons ahead.We will take the necessary time to evaluate our options and then find the right path for our future”.