ACI Team Italy – Giovinazzi triumphs in Baku. Minardi "F1 Boy"

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Along with Formula 1, also GP2 Series signed its debut in the new circuit, among the little roads of Baku. A weekend that will remain in the history of the second tier Championship, thanks to an Italian boy that managed to make playing the Mameli’s hymn twice. Thanks to an extraordinary weekend, Antonio Giovinazzi at his debut in GP2 dominated both the races, bringing the first successes to ACI Team Italia 2016. Six km track that showed the qualities of the boy from Martina Franca, 22 years old, also maker of the pole position and of the fastest lap in race. “I must absolutely congratulate Antonio Giovinazzi, he has been the uncontested protagonist in such a demanding and selective circuit like Baku. A 360° success with two wins, pole position and fastest lap. Fabulous what he showed us, expecially in race-2”, Gian Carlo Minardi observes.

At the end of the first lap of the race scheduled on Sunday, the standard-bearer of Prema slips at the bottom of the overall standing, but he recovers up to the top in the  last round also supported by safety-cars, with an overtaking at the expense of his team mate. “I have said that he is one of the best Italian drivers for years. He managed to fight with Max Verstappen on equal terms, bringing home two important wins. He is one of the boys that I suggested to FDA, but he wasn’t taken into consideration for different choices”, the manager from Faenza continues, also stressing the third place achieved by Raffaele Marciello in race-1. One swallow does not make a summer, and now he has to prove himself. Giovinazzi is a driver that can race for the title moreover is ready for 

F1 | European GP, Baku – SCORECARDS

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Baku surprised me in a positive way. This atypical city circuit. The second seasonal race track by length, after Spa-Francorchamps, very fast, with a straight where engines go at full speed for 20”. It also received positive feedbacks by drivers and team principals.
Nico Rosberg – 9 on Saturday, he achieved an excellent pole position, after playing hide and seek with Hamilton putting him under pressure. Impeccable in race. A win that worth him heavy points for the World Championship.
Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 he is fighting with an undoubtedly inferior car than competitors, and I can hardly find out where is the main problem of this SF16-H. Compared with his team-mate, anyway, he manages the best.
Sergio Perez – 8,5 he is optimizing his Force India, darkening Hulkenberg out. Maker of an extraordinary season so far. A podium that becomes heavy points for a team in economic troubles.
Kimi Raikkonen – 8 commissioners used a too heavy hand. Against a Perez like this, I think he would have gained the third place anyway.
Lewis Hamilton – 6 scarcely a passing grade. Too many mistakes in qualifying that affected the race.
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen – 7,5 same grade for both Red Bull drivers, protagonists of different strategies. Once again, the Dutch driver gave us amazing overtaking.
Nico Hulkenberg – 6 he brings to Force India precious points, but lost the comparison with his team-mate.
Felipe Massa – 6 a score  achieved thanks to his experience, not  more.

F1 | European GP – Preview

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Formula 1 is getting ready to come in Baku, onto an anomalous circuit, 6000 meters length that make it one of the longest in the World Championship and a straight of over 2 kms where incredible speeds will be reached , more than 340 km/h, to face then hard braking. The old city’s segment is also marked out with a very tight street, 7 meters without any space for mistakes.

These are all the unknowns that lead to a grand prix rich in surprises and to a variety of possible results in which the safety car could work overtime. Doing any predictions is difficult, or impossible, because we have no reference points. Surely, a well-performing car as Mercedes gives an advantage to its drivers who will have to focus mainly on the track. As usual, the attention will focus on Ferrari that comes from a not easy moment, excluding its second place in Montreal. They will have to keep working to get close to Hamilton and Rosberg, paying attention to a growing Red Bull. Matching up to Nico Rosberg in Canada, Verstappen proved all his worth once again. Unfortunately, in this moment, at Ferrari there is only Sebastian Vettel.

The other unknowns are the tires. Even in this case, Mercedes and Ferrari have chosen two different strategies. Pirelli will bring Medium, Soft, and Super Soft tire compounds. Vettel and Raikkonen will have at their disposal 7 sets of SuperSoft, 5 of Soft, and 1 set of Medium, instead Hamilton and Rosberg played a card with 8 sets of SuperSoft.

F1 | Canadian GP– SCORECARDS

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Lewis Hamilton – 9 he got the umpteenth start wrong. He has to work for eliminate this handicap.

Sebastian Vettel – 9 he definitely optimized what Ferrari put at his disposal, as a 59″ advantage “on Kimi Raikkonen proves. Excellent his start and his resolution in race. Up to the last lap, he tried to bother Hamilton in any way.

Valtteri Bottas – 8 the third place is worth a precious booty for his Williams.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 excellent start without forgetting the amazing duel with Nico Rosberg that he won in spite of an inferior PU.

Nico Rosberg – 7 he did his homework. Good at the start, even if, in my opinion, he seemed awed by what happened in Spain. He made a race in comeback, but along his way he found a great Verstappen.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 with his sixth place he took some precious points to Ferrari, but his gap from Vettel is disarming and it strongly calls into question his stay in “red”, and even in the Circus.

Daniel Riciardo – 6 Out of form during all the weekend and under his teammate’s level. In spite of his confirmation up to 2018 by the team, the irritability that you can sense in his announcements also reflects itself on track.

Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Sergio Perez – 6 they end a demanding weekend in point zone. Montreal is a difficult track where you have to manage your car, fuel consumptions and tires.

Kart – Karol Basz on the podium even at Ampfing

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From the success in the inaugural event of the German DKM Championship in Wackersdorf up to the podium gained at the second round in Ampfing. Besides leading the overall standings of the European Championship, Karol Basz goes on in his row of positive results proving to be one of the great protagonists in the major category OK.

Certainly an important result for the standard-bearer of the Kosmic Racing. A result built meticulously during the whole weekend along with Olivier Marechal’s staff, in spite of an uncertain weather with an alternation of sun and rain. In the Final, Karol made himself protagonist of a good recovery, ending the race in third, after closing the Pre-Final just in seventh.

“I am glad for the podium, but in spite of a good speed, we made some mistakes. Anyway, I am in the second position, a step away from the first one and there are still three races. Anything can happen”, Karol Basz says.

“I am glad for the new positive result gained by Karol. After his win at the inaugural event, this podium is the demonstration of his tenacity. He has thought a lot from a championship point of view and carried out a good recovery in Final, that ended with a third place. A starting season very promising. Karol, beyond being fast and dedicated, is proving to be a very cold driver, a driver capable of keeping calm even in the most difficult situations”, manager Alberto Tonti observes.

F1 | Canadian GP – Gian Carlo Minardi's Preview

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We are talking about an extremely important Gran Prix because it will close the first third of the season. Mistakes excepted, Mercedes will start as the favourite once again, with a good internal struggle between Rosberg and Hamilton. Nico will have to try to restore his supremacy on Lewis who dominated the stage among the little roads of the princedom. Ferrari, back from two difficult grand prix has used some tokens to develop his Power-Unit and will have to regain its role as a second power in the world championship, a role currently assaulted by a Red Bull in strong growing. Since Montreal is a circuit where aerodynamics and brakes have a key role, Adrian Newey’s creature could reach the spotlight.

Given its geographical position and the lack of mountains, the weather can quickly change. Up to now, the weather forecasts talk about temperatures around 20°C, thus also the tires could make the difference.

At Williams they should pay attention to Force India and Toro Rosso. They will bring some updates that will be analyzed in the post GP, but in this moment the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull is too wide.

A GP rich in unknowns awaits us. Behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are ready to battle. We have just to watch the race starting at 20:00.

 

Kart | Gian Carlo Minardi at 2016 Summer Kart

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Everything is ready for the 5th edition of the “Kart Summer Camp”, the summer camp aimed at little aspiring drivers. It is confirmed for July the traditional initiative promoted by ACI Sport (Italian Federation), organized by the Federal ACI Sport School, and dedicated to children aged 5 to 10 years.

From July 18 to 21, the very young drivers will turn on the engines on again in the International Circuit of Naples (Sarno – Sa) to have fun aboard the go-karts made available by the Parolin Racing, a brand that has become an historical partner of the Federal ACI Sport School in the Karting sector.

The children will attend a theoretical and practical program, under the watchful eye of the Federal Instructors, they will deal with the particular aspects of driving technique such as trajectories, braking, wet driving, and will engage in fair sessions of competition between skittles and simulated starts, qualifying, and races. All this without losing the recreational dimension that has to be, even for 2016, the key feature of this special summer camp.

There will certainly be the expert  eye of Gian Carlo Minardi, supervisor of the Federal School, who will monitor the children together with the usual working group composed of the psycho-pedagogue Glenda Cappello and the regulations expert Lucio Tonello.

The newness for 2016, instead, will concern the technical partnership with OMP, one of the leading companies in clothing for racing. It will provide free helmets, overalls, gloves and shoes for all the enrolled members and a media coverage of the entire campus thanks to some collaboration agreements with the photographer Marcello Angiolella, and with Pierre Productions for TV aspects. They will resume the highlights of the event as well as provide all participants a file with the complete clip of the show. There will be some occasions of relaxation and leisure time for the children in the evening, thanks to the presence of an animator that will entertain the kids with games and fun activities after dinner.

 For detailed information, it is at your disposal the new website of the Federal School ACI Sport: www.scuolafederale.acisport.it where you will find photos and videos of the day, or you can see to the Facebook page of the School. For information about cost, you can write to kart@scuolafederale.acisport.it.

CIK FIA | Karol Basz proves to be a leader at Adria

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With the second place conquered in Pre-Final and the fourth one in Final, Karol Basz greets the second event in the European OK Championship at the Adria’s circuit, strengthening his position at the top of the overall standings. Definitely, a not easy weekend for the Polish driver of the Kosmic Racing Team who proved his determination once again by becoming protagonist of important recovers. In Pre-Final, with a spring from the eleventh position, he manages to cross the finish line in second putting his name down for the win in Final.

In the middle of a downpour at first and then with a dry track, Karol is in second position when Sargeant hits his car. Thus, Karol ends his race out of the podium, in fourth position.

“Surely, it hasn’t been an easy weekend. The problems arose in qualifying have affected the race result. As usual, the team has made an excellent work. In Pre-Final, I did a good recover, but the regret remains for what happened in final. What a pity if you are hit two bends away from the end when you are struggling for the win and you have the second place in your hands. It is part of Motorsport. I want to see the glass half full because I greet Adria still leading the championship”, Karol Basz says.

“Without the final contact, we would have greeted Adria with a more substantial score. It has been a difficult weekend, but Karol has proved all his talent, becoming protagonist of a good recover in Pre-final and keeping himself away from risks. We will be ahead in the last two championship events, with an eight lengths gap from the first of the pursuers. This is the most important thing. Surely, I must congratulate and thank all the staff of the Kosmic Racing for their excellent work” manager Giovanni Minardi says.

F1 | Sebastian Vettel "on pins and needles"

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The GP in Spain and Monaco have left important aftermath in the state of mind of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lewis Hamilton.

If Mercedes and Red Bull drivers can console themselves with the win and the pole position achieved in the Principality, the Ferrari driver’s mood is definitely the worst. For some time, his attachment to the team has undergone a dramatic shift, as we could see from his last declarations. The positioning and the lack of competitiveness of his SF16-H start to be tight to him. The guy is champing at the bit. A certain anxiety towards the management seeps within the team, and the Spanish podium and the fourth place behind Perez sound like a defeat.

At Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s debut with a win brought new energy to Daniel Ricciardo who beyond signing the pole position in Monaco, with his fabulous lap wanted to launch an important signal. Anyway, the second consecutive mistake made by the pit prevented him again from gaining the win that he would have really deserved. The Italian-Australian was firmly leading the race. The disappointment was great, the smile glided away from his face, and he didn’t spare some criticism (more than deserved) towards the team.

The success conquered last Sunday should have contributed to temper the soul of a Lewis Hamilton in contrast with his team. Someone has talked about a possible layoff. With his win, the English has signed the first seasonal victory and reduced the gap from his teammate, only in seventh place at the start.

All these signals could suggest resounding changes, even if it is too early for making some provisions about the market of drivers. We can only be careful and see what will happen in the next weekends.

F1 | Gian Carlo Minardi "Ferrari tension. Red Bull in the ascendant"

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Early in season, Ferrari presented itself at the start as the main rival of Mercedes, but six GP have been enough to downsize the situation drastically.Starting from the first Australian event, the superiority of the Silver Arrows of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has been clear, just as the hesitation of Maranello.

Anyway, Red Bull has added itself. Backed by an excellent chassis with an extraordinary aerodynamics and by a good power unit, it was able to get back on top at every race up till the win with Max Verstappen in Spain. The coming of the very young Dutchman has contributed to give a boost to Daniel Ricciardo who signs the pole position in Monaco thanks to a perfect lap. Unfortunately, for the second time it was the pit that has ruined his race, delivering the win in Hamilton’s hands.

“Mercedes, independently from some reliability problems and mistakes, proved to be again an unapproachable car. Moreover, when it is vulnerable, Red Bull strategy fails. In Monaco, like in Spain, it is Ricciardo who lost the top of the podium”, Gian Carlo Minardi explains.The Italian-Australian did not spare criticism towards the team. “In some circuits Red Bull exceeds Ferrari thanks to an excellent chassis, in spite of an engine that still leaves some “horses” in Maranello. From the beginning of the season, the SF16-H has not proven to be that perfect weapon to defeat the reigning German World Champions. Many times, we have stressed how the gap is unchanged.The situation for Milton Keynes is the opposite. After a difficult 2015, they are bridging the gap”, the manager from Faenza continues.

The fourth place of Sebastian Vettel in Monaco behind Perez’ Force India, and the third Spanish place are results that begin to become uncomfortable for the German. “A strong irritability shows through the team, especially from Vettel who has also changed his declarations toward the team drastically. The young man paws the ground and starts to feel tight in his positioning. Maurizio Arrivabene, for his part, continues to point Mercedes, but a potential third place in the World Championship would be a defeat”.

Montreal could be an important testbed for both Ferrari and red Bull. “We’ll have the same tire compounds used in Monaco and the weather could affect the choices. Thanks to the long straights, the chassis and the aerodynamics have a central role, as the brake system. Red Bull will try to fill the gap of power with the goodness of Adrian Newey’s design” Minardi ends.

 

F1 | MONACO GP – SCORECARDS

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Lewis Hamilton  – 9 excellent and impeccable throughout the whole race, also taking some strategy risks.

Daniel Ricciardo – 8 after the outstanding time in qualifying that earned him an incredible pole position, he had to give up due to another mistake made by the pit.

Sergio Perez – 8,5 sensational race for the Mexican driver who has optimized Force India at its best , in spite of economic problems.

Sebastian Vettel – 7 a personal mark, not to be shared with Ferrari. He made too many mistakes, even if I don’t know if the fault is his. A Vettel that gets agitated and anxious for results that do not come.

Fernando Alonso – 8 a sensational lap after lap. The gap from the top is important, but he was able to attack with his tenacity and his driving skills improving himself after each step. He outclassed his teammate.

Nico Hulenberg – 7 aligned to what was done by his teammate. Some important points for Force India.

Nico Rosberg – 7 weakened, even if it was clear he had some problems. In qualifying he wasn’t the usual Nico, especially in a circuit that he dominated last years.

Carlos Sainz – 7 now he is the only landmark for Toro Rosso that is getting calmness after the agreement with Renault for engine supply. The Spaniard is proving to be a top team driver.

Jenson Button – 7 even if he arrived behind his teammate, he gained important points for McLaren-Honda that sees daylight.

 Felipe Massa – 6 even if I don’t believe that his result in qualifying and in race is all his fault.

F4 | Unlucky weekend for Joao Vieira at Imola

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Weekend to forget quickly for Joao Vieira who greets the third event of the Italian Formula 4 Championship powered by Abarth with just a point.

With 31 cars at the start, we are back to the original format, with three races for week-end instead of the qualifying rounds for reaching the Final. In two qualifying rounds, the driver at Antonelli Motorsport didn’t manage to go beyond nineteenth and sixteenth positions. Therefore, the aim was to get back on the top during Saturday and Sunday, exploiting the long straights of Imola and the particular feeling connecting the Brazilian driver to the Santerno. Unfortunately, numerous red flags and safety-cars, called onto the track for some accidents and for the rain, have drastically reduced the time of the recover, limiting the struggle in a single handful of laps.

“There is really few to say and to add. In qualifying, I didn’t make any mistakes, but I found myself in the second half of the group. I paid too much on the straights in terms of power.  During the race, on a wet track, I raced fast, but due to safety-cars and red flags, I did not have the chance to complete my recover. A real pity. Now I am waiting for Mugello where it would be great coming back to the format with rounds,” a disappointed Joao Vieira explains.

“It was definitively an unlucky weekend. We came here with important projects and we leave the circuit with none point. Surely, qualifying have been disappointing, but we would had the chance recover during the race. This has been impossible because in all three races, we raced less than 10 true laps of race. The red flags and the safety-cars have limited the action on track. We should come back to the first seasonal format with qualifying rounds to limit the impetuosity of young drivers, beyond to reprimand them. Otherwise, even in the next appointments we will live a similar scenario“,  Giovanni Minardi explains.

F4 | At Imola Joao Vieira plays for the win

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Strengthened by the podium and by the many points gained at Adria, Joao Vieira is about to live the third round in the Italian Formula 4 Championship powered by Abarth at the “home” circuit of Imola.

The demanding “Enzo and Dino Ferrari” circuit, that will host again Formula 1 during the Historic Minardi Day on June 25, will be a great testbed for the Brazilian standard-bearer under the Antonelli Motorsport who is intent on getting the high step of the podium missed in the first two weekend because of some engine complications.

With five events still scheduled, Joao is in the fifth position of the general standings, 23 points away from top three.

“Beyond being the “home” race, it is also my favorite circuit on calendar. Thus, I’d like to get a good result. It is a very fast and technical track where the engine is an important component. During the first two events, in this respect, we had some problems.At Adria, thanks to its layout, I managed to limit damages getting a good second place and 42 points. At Imola, instead, the engine will have more importance both in the long straights and in the output in the variants. During the first free practice session, next Friday morning, we will have the first response“, said Joao Vieira.

“We are at the third round and at the first true circuit on calendar. On this track, Joao has always raced fast, backed by a good car made by the staff of Marco Antonelli. I wish for a weekend free from engine complications so to have the chance to play for winning. I hope to greet Imola with a smile and, hopefully, with the cup of the winner” manager Giovanni Minardi says.