F1 | GP JAPAN, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “FERRARI, IT’S TOO EARLY TO TRY ANYONE. SUZUKA A VERY TECHNICAL TRACK”

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We are fast approaching the third round of the World Championship where the main changes are related to the grid, with Tsunoda joining Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, and Lawson taking his place in Racing Bulls.

I do not expect big changes in the cars (liveries aside) given the short time available to the teams, which will introduce important updates later, when they arrive in Europe.

Suzuka is a very technical track, and one of the most historic on the calendar, where the drivers will have the chance to express themselves, also because of the tight battle between the teams.  Amongst the rookies, it will be interesting to see who will adapt best to the track’s characteristics, as it will be new to all of them. The rain forecast for Sunday represents an additional unknown factor.

Japan is an important test to verify the forces on the field. We will see if McLaren’s supremacy will be confirmed, and if Ferrari and Mercedes will be able to close the gap. On the Ferrari front, we take note of the results of the first two GPs, but it is still early to try anyone and, above all, to pass sentences.

On the tyre front, Pirelli brings the C1- C2-C3 which represent the hardest compounds to cope with the historically very abrasive asphalt, even though the track has been resurfaced.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | WE’RE OFF, FINALLY! EVERYONE IS CHASING NORRIS AND PIASTRI’S MCLAREN BUT KEEP AN EYE ON MERCEDES

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We’re off, finally

What was seen in Bahrein counts for little. Three days really are too few to understand the forces on the field, also because there is a lack of fundamental data to analyse the times coolly.

Of course, the impression is of a McLaren ahead of the pack. For me, they are the car of reference. They picked up from where they left off in 2024… In fact, with a slightly wider advantage.

It will be interesting to see who the anti-McLaren will be. We are at the end of a technical cycle, and it is easier to take a leap forward for those behind, see Williams. This is why I expect an upwards compaction of performances. From what was seen, Mercedes is the car, together with the team led by Andrea Stella, that made the most important evolutionary step, with all the “ifs” and “buts” of the case. For this reason, it must be watched closely starting from Friday’s free practice.

In recent days a lot of people have asked my opinion on Andrea Kimi Antonelli. During these years he has amply demonstrated all his technical worth, and his arrival in Mercedes is the result of this incredible work. He has certainly not been given anything for free. As we know, in this F1the car counts a lot. If he is supported by the car, he has all the credentials to do well right from the start.  However, the whole work environment must support him without putting too much pressure on him. Italy has been waiting for its World Champion since 1953…

Then there is Ferrari with Leclerc and Hamilton. I was positively impressed by Hamilton’s approach and by his positive attitude. He has incredible motivation. On the other hand, I have had the impression of a particularly nervous Leclerc, but then again, who would not know that with a seven times world champion by his side?

There are all the ingredients to experience an exciting first GP, with lots of questions waiting to be answered.  Whichever way it goes, it will take at least three or four rounds to get a clearer picture.

Good Formula 1 to everyone.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | TOWARDS THE ABU DHABI GP WITH GIAN CARLO MINARDI “ABU DHABI HAS ACCUSTOMED US TO UPSETS. WATCH OUT FOR THE GRAINING”

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imola Minardy day GIANCARLO MINARDI

We have come to the final act of this very long season made up of twenty-four rounds that was able to keeps us in suspense on many occasions. Abu Dhabi has already accustomed us to major upsets and this year, we are again faced with multiple scenarios involving both the battle at the top between McLaren and Ferrari, and in the middle of the table between Alpine, Haas and Racing Bulls for sixth place.

We already have a novelty precisely on this point: Alpine will bring in Jack Doohan to make his debut in place of Ocon, “freed” to give him the chance of already driving with Haas in the post-race tests. Currently, the team led by Oliver Oakes is six points ahead of its direct rivals. An unhoped-for result until a few weeks ago.

The other challenge, for the title of vice-champion, is between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc currently separated by eight points in favour of the British driver. Despite being twenty-one-points behind, Ferrari will try everything to bring the world title back to Maranello. A title that has been missing since 2008. To find McLaren’s last win, we must go all the way back to 1998.

On the tyre front, Pirelli has brought the softer trio of compounds, made up of C3 as the Hard, C4 as the Medium, and C5 as the Soft. Given the scarcity of fast bends, the stress on the tyres is medium-low, and the strategy should be to aim at two stops. They will have to watch out for graining.

There is no lack of ingredients to also follow even the last round with great attention, which will then introduce us to 2025 with a day of collective tests. The grand prix will start on Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm, with the drivers committed to racing 58 laps of the 5.281km of the Yas Matina track.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 |HEADING TO QATAR WITH GIAN CARLO MINARDI “I AM CERTAIN EVERYTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED IN FERRARI. THEY MUST WORK FOR ONLY ONE GOAL. THE CONSTRUTORS’ TITLE”

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The world championship is drawing to a close, with the drivers’ title awarded to Max Verstappen (his fourth) and an open fight in the constructors’ title for both first place and sixth. Compared to the previous edition, this year’s round has been postponed more than a month to limit the heat that last year, together with the high humidity, tested the drivers’ resistance.

It will be run at night again this year, but constant temperatures around 25° are expected, definitely different compared to a week ago in Nevada. Major changes have been made to the curbs that created quite a few problems for the tyres in the 2023 edition, with the Federation imposing pit-stops every 18 laps.

Pirelli has worked hard on this aspect as well, bringing the hardest compounds, from C1 to C3. Qatar will host the sixth and last Sprint-Race. Therefore, the teams and drivers will have only one session of free practice to think about the cars. The challenge for the constructors’ title has fired up, with Ferrari and Red Bull chasing after McLaren, along with the challenge for sixth place between Haas-Alpine-Red Bull.

We said goodbye to Las Vegas with the Mercedes one-two, the title won by Verstappen and the third and fourth place for Ferrari with not a few sparks between Leclerc and Sainz. I am certain that everything will already have been resolved, also because it was the result of the tension of the race. The common is shared, which is to bring the constructors’ title back to Maranello. By the way, for the team this situation is nothing but an appetiser for 2025 when it will have to manage two drivers of the calibre of Leclerc and Hamilton, in my opinion, much more incandescent than the current pair, especially if they will be able to take a competitive car onto the track.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP LAS VEGAS, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “COLD WEATHER IS ANOTHER UNKNOWN FACTOR FOR THE TYRES”

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We have come to the twenty second Grand Prix of the season, less than three rounds from the conclusion. The challenge for the constructors’ title is back on with three teams, McLaren-Ferrari-Red Bull, in contention. Currently Ferrari is 36 points behind the team from Woking, while Red Bull is 49 points behind. Considering the points still up for grabs, I would say anything is still possible. So far Red Bull has lacked the support of Peres, who is increasingly in difficulty. Ferrari will bring some important innovations just for this end of the season.

The situation of the drivers’ title is different. Despite a McLaren in great form, in any case, two weeks ago in Brazil it could do nothing against Max Verstappen. For me, a comeback by Norris is improbable.

They come to Las Vegas; a track characterized by three straights. 17 bends and abrupt braking with fairly cold asphalt that creates a reduction in grip and an acceleration in wear. In fact, we are in a area with a considerable difference in temperature between day and night. They will race at night, starting at 5.00pm in Italy. Pirelli has brought the softest compounds for the GP, C3-C4-C5, and the strategy should be geared towards two stops, even if lately we have been proved wrong. Watch out also for the possible entry of the safety-car and/or the VSC.

After Spa-Francorchamps, this is one of the longest circuits of the world championship with its 6.12km to be run 50 times, and, in addition to the challenge at the top, also keep an eye on the three fighting for sixth place between Alpine, Haas, and Racing Bull. After the exploit in Interlagos, Alpine leads the group by three points from the American team.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP BRAZIL, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “COMEBACKS ARE MORE COMPLICATED WITH THIS GREAT COMPETITIVENESS”

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For the twenty first round, the third in a row, Formula 1 arrives in Brazil, in Sao Paolo, on a track that is as historic as it is fast, and which has its own peculiarity, it is run anticlockwise.

We are 700m above sea level, in an area characterized by sudden weather changes. The track has been completely resurfaced, certainly an extra variation considering the drivers will have only one session of free practice. In fact, Brazil hosts the fifth of the six Sprint races. On the compounds front, Pirelli continues the trend of soft sets, with C3-C4-C5. A configuration that, lately, has brought good results to Ferrari, author of the last two wins.

Like the win in Mexico, I expect a good fight on the edge of tenths of a second. Approaching the end of the  season, possible penalties for changes of the Power-Units and/or components also come in to play. Precisely on Verstappen’s Red Bull there is talk of possible changes with the consequence of penalties to be paid on the starting grid.

It is certainly a track that favours overtaking and eventual comebacks, even if you must take into account greater competitiveness and an upwards compaction of performances which make an eventual comeback harder. Today we have four teams that can aspire for the podium, if not for the win.

Behind McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and Aston Martin, there is a fiery battle between Haas and Racing Bulls for sixth place, currently in the hands of the American team that boasts a 10-point lead on the Faenza based team that is recovering slightly. Williams and Alpine, separated by only three points, are fighting for eighth place.

Good GP to everyone

Gian Carlo Minardi

 

F1 | GP MEXICO, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “VERY INTERESTI NG DISTRIBUTION OF PERFORMANCES. UNCERTAIN RESULT”

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From Texas to Mexico. We are witnessing a truly exciting end to the championship, as it should be  as we approach the end of an intense cycle. We have an upward compaction, especially amongst  the four top teams with a highly interesting distribution of performances.

Luckily, for some months it has become very hard to guess the poleman, let alone the possible  winner of the race. The gaps are  narrowing, a sign of high competitiveness.

I surely do not feel like taking for granted the win by Max Verstappen who remains one of the  points of reference. Right now, he is racing with great cunning and j ust as much skill, as he  showed only a week ago in Austin.

Norris has an excellent car, the McLaren, but he does not always manage to  make the most of  this potential, as the 57-point gap to the Dutchman demonstrates.

Leclerc, who just won in COTA, took  himself to 22 points from the McLaren driver, reopening the  challenge for second place.  It is an open battle also on the constructors’ front, with Ferrari only  eight points behind  Red Bull.

Keep an eye on the challenge for sixth place between Haas and Racing Bulls, currently in the hands of the American team, with a lead of two points. Just a week ago, the Faenza based team  showed signs of recovery, thanks in part to the addition of Lian Lawson.

The world championship arrives in Hermanos Rodriguez, a track  located 2,000 metres above sea  level with the drivers having 30 minutes more for free practice 2, validating the softer compounds  of the 2025 range (C4, C5, and C6). For the weekend Pirelli has confirmed the switch to a softer selection, with C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium, and C5 as Soft, to broaden  race strategies. Despite high downforce, very high speeds are reached, due to both the straights and the rarified air dictated by the altitude. On the strategy front, it is a track with only one stop, but they must watch out for possible safety-cars. The track is little used during the year; therefore, the asphalt will have more rubber from session to session leading to improved performances…

It promises to be a weekend to follow with great interest starting from free practice 1, which will on the track Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the when of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP SINGAPORE, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “IS MCLAREN PREPARING TO OPEN A NEW CYCLE? HERE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER”

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From Azerbaijan to Singapore, the Formula 1 World Championship is stopping at the Marina Bay Circuit street circuit for the eighteenth round. For the first time after 55 grands prix, McLaren lines up at the start as the leader of the World Championship.

Thanks to Oscar Piastri’s win and Lando Norris’ fourth place in Baku, Andrea Stella’s men have overtaken Red Bull.

Despite the modifications carried out last season that reduced the length of the track to 4,940m and the 19 bends (against the previous 23) it is still one of the most twisty and insidious tracks of the season.

The first novelty this year is the introduction is the fourth DRS zone (between bends 14 and 16), which has the aim of facilitating the spectacle and overtaking. At Baku the drivers gave us an exciting race run on the edge of tenths of a second. On this track I also expect a struggle on the edge of tenths, if not hundredths of a second. It will be interesting to see if they manage to continue the positive trend without the entry of the safety-car. A week ago, it did so only at the end, the collision between Pere and Sainz led to the use of the VSC.

On the tyre front, Pirelli has opted for the softer compounds, (from C3 to C5) and it will be interesting to see on how many pitstops the strategy will be based on a track that improves considerably session after session. Watch out also for the weather that represents another unknown factor, due to both the layout of the track and because it is run at night. The risk of rain will be present for all the weekend with a very high probability for the Sunday.

It will be interesting to follow the weekend of Red Bull and Mercedes, at the present time the ones most in difficulty, compared to the McLaren (currently the car to beat), and good competitiveness from Ferrari. Right now, the priority for McLaren is the constructors’ title. Historically, when a team is about to open a new winning cycle, it starts by taking the constructors’ title and only then concentrate solely on the driver’s title. Amongst other things, they must also perfect some things that range from the management of the drivers and strategy, which are not always perfect.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP AZERBAIJIAN | GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MCLAREN THE FAVOURITE, BUT WATCH OUT FOR MERCEDES”

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We are now at the gateway of the Azerbaijan GP. The seventeenth round of the World Championship. With Baku the third stage of the season begins.  It is a very demanding track, 6,003m long to be run 51 times, characterized by 20 bends, some at right angles and very slow, others very fast followed by the longest straight of the world championship.

The first novelty is the scheduling. Traditionally it was in April or June, while this year it is being run in September, just like next year. Compared to the past, teams and drivers will find warmer weather and the shady parts of the old town could affect the performances.

Being a street circuit, the performance will improve session after session and Pirelli has brought the softest compounds (C3 as hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft).

On paper one stop is the best strategy, but they have to watch out for possible safety-cars or yellow flags.

On the race front, currently McLaren has replaced Red Bull as the car of reference, Horner’s team is trying to defend the leadership in the two ladders. The battle is open on the constructors’ front, especially between McLaren and Red Bull with Ferrari strongly narrowing the gap after their win in Monza.

Keep an eye on Mercedes. The characteristics of the W15 and its engine should be well suited to the configuration of the track.  We expect a very hard-fought end of the season. On the drivers’ front, Verstappen’s lead on Norris is still substantial. The reigning world champion can allow himself defensive races. He makes the difference within the team. Perse had not lost his “compass”, he is simply not supported by the car and it is the driver who must make the difference.

In addition to Formula 1, also coming back is F2 which will see Gabriele Mini in the Prema Team, paired with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Mini will take the place of Oliver Bearman, committed with Haas in the place of the disqualified Magnussen. We will have the first taste of 2025.

With Aston Martin’s announcement the Newey soap opera has come to an end. The talented engineer has given continuity to his historicity, aiming at a reality that is still not world class. This is precisely what I expect, a while ago he made me think about this final destination. (link to the article)

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | ITALIAN GP GIAN CARLO MINARDI “IT IS AN HONOUR TO SEE AN ITALIAN DRIVER IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ONCE AGAIN. COLAPINTO, AN INTELLIGENT CHOICE”

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We have left behind the Historic Minardi Day in Imola and the Dutch GP in Zandvoort and it is already time for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

A Monza that is getting ready for two new developments. On the Mercedes front, it is an honour to have one of our drivers in the world championship once again. in this case the pride is double because the debut is with a top team that has eight constructors’ title to its credit and on a track like Monza. It is certainly a reward for everything he has been able to achieve over the years, starting with karting. It will be important to keep his feet on the ground.

The Argentine Franco Colapinto, born in 2003, will make his debut in Williams. Twenty-three years after Gaston Mazzacane, who made his debut with Minardi, Argentina has once again found its flag bearer. I believe this is an intelligent and fitting choice. He is a fast young man who knew how to put himself on show in Formula 2, as he did in the minor formulas. What is more, he comes from a country with a strong tradition in Motorsport.

This weekend will see an important grand prix based on strategy and reliability with the engines at full throttle for more than 75% of the lap. It will also be interesting to see the first bend after the finish line- which has been modified following the works that involved the Monza facility and track in recent months.

All eyes are on McLaren that is worrying everyone, with Red Bull having to defend itself to keep the lead in both rankings. Watch out especially on the constructors’ front. At the present time McLaren can count on the best pair of drivers. For some time, Red Bull had been racing with only one driver: Verstappen.

After the almost unhoped for third place a week ago, Ferrari will try to exploit in the best way possible the conditions of the track that require a low load to try and improve its performances.

After an anonymous weekend in Holland, I am convinced that Mercedes will return to the fight for the podium, considering that their engine is not second to none.

There are plenty of cues for following all the stages of the sixteenth round, starting with free practice on Friday.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP HUNGARY, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MERCEDES HAS MADE THE MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENTS”

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Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) Minardi PS04B.
Formula One World Championship, Rd13, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice Day, Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary, 13 August 2004.
DIGITAL IMAGE

Formula 1 has arrived in Hungary for the turning point of the world championship. This weekend will see the start of the second half of the season which promises to be very hot with an open battle between three teams. Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes.

is a track with a very high downforce, and it is the second shortest track of the world championship after Monte Carlo. Amongst other things, the track is not used much during the year. This is precisely why it will not be easy to choose the tyres, and the performances will change positively from session to session. The track is not very severe for tyre wear. In fact, Pirelli has brought the softest compounds, C3-C4-C5.

In the latest grands prix, the updates introduced by Ferrari did not pay off, unlike Mercedes – which personally is optimizing the developments in the best way possible – and McLaren which has always been at ease on tracks with high downforce. On the Constructors’ ladder, Ferrari has only a 7-point lead over McLaren and 83 over Mercedes, the winner of the last 2 GPs. It remains to be seen whether it will be able to defend itself

Verstappen and Red Bull certainly remain the point of reference and everyone will race to defeat them, which has already happened this year.

An important rival, above all for reliability, will be the high temperatures. Entering the second half of the season possible penalties for changing Power Units and the components will also have to be taken into account. Before the summer break they will go to Spa-Francorchamps (26-28 July), a track that is very tough on the engines, followed by Holland (23-25 August) and Monza (30 August – 1 September), another selective track. And let us not forget the Historic Minardi Day at Imola on the 24th and 25th August

The last few days have also been characterized by the drivers’ market. In particular, Haas has rejuvenated its line-up, betting on the experience of Ocon (born in 1996) and on Oliver Bearman (2005), as well as having extended the collaboration with Ferrari until 2028 for the supply of the Power Units. The team wanted to give an important signal of peace of mind and continuity.

Carlos Sainz remains the needle of the scales of the latest movements, who interests, in particular, Williams, Alpine and Audi. At Monza we will probably have further details.

Gian Carlo Minardi

 

F1 | BRITISH GRAND PRIX GIAN CARLO MINARDI “A FIERY WEEKEND”

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Silverstone, the British Grand Prix, twelfth round. We await a fiery weekend on a track that is not easy. It will also be interesting to follow the grand prix also because of what happened during the final laps between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Austria.

Silverstone is a tough track for both the drivers and the tyres with the front left particularly stressed in the three very fast bends – Maggots, Becketts and Chapel – where they also reach 5g of lateral force. Pirelli is introducing a new compound, a first step in light of 2025 to withstand more stress.

The car of reference remains Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, even if McLaren is approaching very quickly. In Austria both Verstappen and the team were not exempt from mistakes, and this gave us a heart stopping finish, unfortunately ending with the collision that cost the British driver his retirement.

In the last five rounds, (from Imola to the Red Bull Ring) McLaren has put together 144 points, against the 132 of Mercedes, the 116 of Red Bull (that practically races with only one driver) and Ferrari’s 104.

We go back to the traditional programme, with three sessions of free practice, qualifying and the race. The Teams and drivers must prepare themselves as well as possible for the unknown factor of the weather.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP AUSTRIA, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “MCLAREN IS THE ANTI-VERSTAPPEN”

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This weekend the Formula 1 world championship stops at the Spielberg Circuit where the Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled.

We are going to the “home” of Red Bull and Max Verstappen, together with his RB20, is certainly the man to beat, even if he does not seem to have the best car at this time. As Perez’s results show, it is the Dutchman who makes the difference by leading the team.

At this moment McLaren the team most in form seems to be McLaren that continues to grow, even if it is not free from blunders as happened in Barcelona. Behind them we find Mercedes, on the rise, and Ferrari, called upon to give a decisive turn to its season to safeguard second place on the constructors’ ladder.

Amongst the second ranked teams, if, on the one hand we have a growing Alpine, on the other hand, Aston Matin seems to have lost its bearings in the latest rounds.

We come to a very fast track that is run in little more than a minute (in 2023 Verstappen took pole with 1:04.391). With its 4,315m it is the third shortest track behind Monte Carlo and Interlagos, in which there are only 10 bends and 2 straights. It is in the Alps at about 660m above sea level. It is a mix of “important” climbs and descents with a difference of 63.5m between the highest point and the lowest point (second only to Spa-Francorchamps), with gradients of up to 12%.

Tyre wear is not the highest and Pirelli brought its softest compounds C3-C4-C5. Traction coming out of the slow bends will be a major factor, just like stability in braking.

The Red Bull Ring sees the Sprint format back on stage with qualifying after the single session of free practice and the Sprint race on Saturday, followed by qualifying which will decide the starting grid of the Grand Prix scheduled for 3.00pm Sunday. A weekend with a lot of points up for grabs.

Once again qualifying will be an important part of the weekend.

Gian Carlo Minardi