F1 | PEREZ JOINS VERSTAPPEN. MINARDI “CONGRATULATIONS RED BULL”

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Precisely in light of next season Horner’s team had scored the final hit of the market by securing the services of Louis Perez who only the week before had won the Sakhir Grand prix for his first career win.

“Red Bull has put together two very clever operations, securing a talented driver such as Sergio Perez and by maintaining within the staff of Albon as Red Bull’s and Alpha Tauri’s test driver.

2021 will be a year of transition towards the drastic change of regulations and it will be important to see who will manage to best exploit the few tokens available for developing the car.

They finished in growth and only they can try to annoy Toto Wolff’s German battleship, even if it will be hard to beat them with so little time available,” commented Gian Carlo Minardi at the microphone of Minardi.it

This was a major change turnaround for Red Bull that interrupted the tradition that until today had seen them choose drivers from their nursery and satellite teams. In an interview on Servus TV Marko defended Red Bull Junior Academy’s work, highlighting how the arrival of the Mexican driver in Milton Keyes was not a rejection of the Austrian team’s junior drivers’ programme, having several drivers on which to focus on in view of 2022.

One of next season’s new developments will be the debut of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda who will join Pierre Gasly (the winner at Monza) in the Alpha Tauri pits. “He comes from a positive season in F2 and he went very well in the tests. He is a promising young driver,” emphasized the manager from Faenza.

The 2021 season will therefore start with a number of new developments. After having said goodbye to Ferrari Sebastian Vettel is about to wear the colours of the newly formed Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point) joining Lance Stroll who took Perez’s place. Carlos Sainz has already arrived at Maranello alongside Leclerc and his place at McLaren has been taken by Daniel Ricciardo who will team up with Lando Norris.

In the seat left free by the Australian driver in the renamed Alpine (formerly Renault) will be no less than the two times World Champion Fernando Alonso. There will be a completely new line-up in the Haas team. Having said goodbye to Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen the American team will field two debutants, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

In the meantime Lewis Hamilton still has to sign the renewal with Mercedes.

F1 | LECLERC-SAINZ, MINARDI “FERRARI HAS THE BEST PAIR”

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Carlos Sainz wasted no time. After the adventure with McLaren he has already arrived at Maranello to prepare the seat and to get to know the men with whom he will share this adventure in Ferrari.

Maranello closed one of the worst seasons in its history not finishing above sixth place in the constructors’ ladder and the time to find a remedy is truly little, as are the tokens available to the teams to develop and improve the racing car in what will be a year of transition awaiting the change of regulations scheduled for the 2022 season.

“Ferrari is certainly experiencing a very difficult period and in these few months that separate them from the first race in Australia they will have to try and sharpen their weapons to try and leave a disastrous season behind them. Unfortunately, this is the only sport that does not require training and next year there will be only three days of tests,” commented Gian Carlo Minardi at the microphones of Minardi.it

“Binotto however will be able to count on the best pair of drivers in the circus, also in terms of yield of points. Leclerc and Sainz have all the right cards to put together good results,” continued the manager from Faenza.

2021 will also be the year of the introduction of the budget cap. “The way it has been conceived is nothing short of ridiculous. It serves no purpose except to bring about a small reduction in the team’s staff. With the possibility of three extra-budget items the top teams can allow themselves the best driver, the best engineer and the best research. If you really want to make it work you must include all the items, without exception. At that point you leave the team free to take to the track to try and spend the money as it sees fit,” concluded Minardi.

F1 | RUSSELL-MERCEDES, MINARDI “INTERESTING WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE”

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We have come to the penultimate round of the world championship but there is still room for a completely new circuit for F1 with an extremely fast and short layout with lap times under a minute. It will be a complicated race with a lot of overtaking but less stressful for the tyres compared to the previous commitment.

A race that may have had little to tell us had been much more lively by the forced absence of Lewis Hamilton, stopped by the damned Covid-19, and by the “promotion” of the promising young English driver George Russell.

It will be interesting following him in this adventure, also because at the moment Hamilton has not yet signed the renewal with Mercedes since a tug of war is under way, not so much with Toto Wolff than with Mercedes’ president who is determined to strongly review all the contracts downwards in light of the budget cap.

Should Russell live up to expectations and the seven times Wold Champion not accept the conditions offered major scenarios could open up.

This round will be important also for Valtteri Bottas who is playing a big slice of credibility since in the last two races he has been dominated not only by Hamilton but also by Verstappen who is not only one point away on the ladder.

The times: 6.00pm (Italian time) Saturday for qualifying, with the start of the race at 6.10pm on Sunday 6.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP BAHRAIN, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “FERRARI CAN STILL AIM FOR THIRD PLACE”

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We have come to the final three grands prix and, unlike what happened in the recent past, Bahrain will host two rounds in the space of ten days but on two very different configurations of the track.

This weekend will be run on the standard 5,412m long configuration, while the very fast outer circuit will host the penultimate round with a lap time of about a minute. Among other things the second will be run at night with a temperature difference of a number of degrees between qualifying and the race.

Despite the two titles, the constructors’ and drivers’, having been assigned, the challenge behind Mercedes is still alive, with a nice fight for third place which Ferrari can also aspire to. Of course for the men of Maranello this challenge will not be easy to win but would remain a good finish considering the conditions at the start of the season. It is essential that both drivers finish in the points.

In these rounds we will also have a “taste” of 2021 with Pirelli bringing the new compounds for free practice 2. Major, and just as worrying, news has come from England in light of the new season since Mercedes was already able to recover the aerodynamic load despite the limitations on the pan and the rear diffuser forced by the regulations which would cost 10% of downforce, as well as being able to count on 20 horsepower more.

It really seems that this Mercedes does not want to leave anything to the rivals, even if I hope for a change in view of 2022 with the upheaval of the regulations. More than anything else I would like to see greater competiveness between the teams, rather than such a one sided domination.

Its President Ola Källenius is in a tug of war with Hamilton for his renewal, which will undoubtedly come soon. Mercedes is in favour of the budget cap and therefore Lewis must accept the financial offer, even if an improbable non renewal would give life to an earthquake amongst the major driving places, especially amongst those powered by Mercedes.

Formula 2 is also back this weekend with Mick Schumacher currently in the lead with 191 points ahead of Ilott (169), ready to win the world title. Despite the incredible health emergency Motorsport knew how to react giving us very good races on new tracks that have left a positive sign.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GIAN CARLO MINARDI “TOO BIG A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VERSTAPPEN AND HIS MATES IN THE PITS”

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We have come to the fourteenth grand prix of the season, the fourth to last round. The Formula 1 World Championship has landed in Turkey after a long pause of nine years during which the facility has seen little use. As happened in Portugal, here too the asphalt has been re-laid.

Pirelli has brought the hardest compounds, from C1 to C3, since it is a demanding track for the tyres, especially as far as curve 8 is concerned. As has already happened this season, this will once again be a new track for some drivers, such as Leclerc, who have had the chance to test it only in the simulator.

After taking the seventh constructors’ title Mercedes is getting ready to celebrate Lewis Hamilton who, barring a calamity, will have the opportunity to equal Schumacher. Mercedes is preparing to renew the collaboration with Toto Wolff, for one year, since I have the impression that, considering the disputes with Liberty Media, from 2022 it will remain only as an engine supplier

Ferrari’s efforts are already aimed not only on 2021 but especially on 2022. For this reason Matteo Binotto will not follow the team in the last rounds. Ferrari has a lot of ground to make up.
We are heading towards the end of this certainly anomalous season with some drivers’ seats still to be assigned, above all in Red Bull and Alpha Tauri with the future of Albon and Kvyat in strong doubt.

The shadow of the Japanese driver Tsunoda is hanging more and more over the Russian, while Albon must try to come out of his lethargy even if I think it is not all his fault. For years the difference in performance between Verstappen and his team mates has been too much. I have the impression that all the cars have been designed only got the Dutchman.

All that remains is to also follow the Turkish GP in the best way possible. Look out for the times: qualifying at 1.00pm with the start of the race at 11.10am.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP EMILIA ROMAGNA, MINARDI “RIGHT TO EXPERIMENT THE TWO DAYS”

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Fourteen years after the past Grand Prix this weekend Formula 1 will make its return to Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit, albeit behind closed doors.

For Italy this will be the third round of the World Championship, a major show of strength for all our national territory and is preparing to lead the way for a programme over only the days of Saturday and Sunday. In a decidedly anomalous season which was able to give us a calendar that was certainly full of novelties on the circuit front it is right to experiment even if I do not believe it is the right way to limit the costs for the teams.

Of the current grid only Kimi Raikonnen has already raced a GP in Imola, while Latifi and Stroll have had the opportunity to get to know it during their stay in the ACI Championships. For 98% of the grid this will be a novelty.

Imola is a demanding track for cars and drivers who will have to pay attention to the gravel immediately off the track. Despite the time of year the weather should be positive with a temperature of around 12-14°C, without the risk of fog except in the early hours of the morning. Pirelli will bring the C2, C3 and C4 compounds. From the simulations the 4,909 m of the track should be run in barely 1’15”,

This Grand Prix is the result of great work by all the institutions, both locally and regionally, with a great contribution by Formula Imola. Finally I see a uniformity of point of view that could open new horizons for the circuit’s future. The background with the public would have been the icing on the cake.

Lewis Hamilton is getting ready to revise once more the new record of wins. It is incredible how Mercedes has not had its full of wins. At Portimao Hamilton was able to the improve his performance eighteen times up to definitively setting the race’s fastest lap, leaving his team mate more than half a second behind, Verstappen at 1”1 and Leclerc at 1”6.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP PORTUGAL, MINARDI “ONE EYE ON THE TRACK, ONE ON THE BACK OF THE PITS”

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Formula 1 makes its return to Portugal for the twelfth round of the World Championship. However, on this occasion the circuit hosting the racing cars will not be Estoril but rather the new circuit of Portimao that was inaugurated in 2008.

Only Verstappen, Giovinazzi, Leclerc, Stroll, Albon and Norris (the latter on the occasion of an F1 test) have had the opportunity to test it on a race weekend. It is a demanding track in which you need to find the right compromise of speed and aerodynamic load since it is characterized by various natural ups and downs, straights and high performance bends. Pirelli will bring the three hardest compounds (C1-C2-C3) but during FP2 there will be a hint of 2021 with the new compounds.

On the weather front the influence of the Atlantic Ocean could make itself felt but I do not think that Hamilton will struggle to take his 92nd win.

In addition to the show on the track it will also be necessary to follow the movements at the back of the pits with the latest developments on the drivers’ market. Keep an eye also on movements on the managerial front with Mercedes’ President Ola Källenius determined to increase his decision making power on the team. This could open a number of scenarios. Of course the unknown factor of the engines remains to be resolved after Honda’s departure.

There a various ingredients to better experience the new round of the World Championship as we await Imola.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP EIFEL, MINARDI “WRONG TO DEPRIVE GIOVINAZZI A SESSION”

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The Formula 1 World Championship has arrived at the Nurburging in Germany, a round that was certainly not foreseen at the start of the year but it is part of this anomalous season. The Circus arrives at this track in a time of year when the low temperatures and the weather forecasts could play an important role since temperatures no higher than 9-10° are expected.

On a track that is important for the aerodynamics with medium-slow curves Pirelli has brought the C2-C3-C4 compounds and I believe that Red Bull will have the possibility to put itself between the two Mercedes with Max Verstappen.

After Honda’s announcement Red Bull and Alpha Tauri are looking for a new engine supplier. As of today there are only two possible options: the return of Renault or passing to Mercedes with the Germans ready to remain in F1 only as engine suppliers. I see the latter option as the most probable. With the exit of the Japanese, who confirmed the programme they declared since the day of their return, an uneasy winter is starting for Stefano Domenicali since three engine suppliers are few for both the image of the World Championship and twenty cars.
For this weekend Ferrari will carry out a further slight evolutionary step which however is part of a more long term project already aimed at 2021 and 2022.

The novelty will be the debut of Mick Schumacher in Friday’s practice with Alfa Romeo. The German will take to the track with Giovinazzi’s car. Depriving Antonio of a session on a circuit that, unlike Raikonnen, he does not know, I find is an absurd decision (the latest in his regards). He is penalized once again.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | HONDA IS LEAVING, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “THEY CONFIRMED THE INITIAL PROGRAMME. MANY SCENARIOS ARE OPENING”

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The news came like a bolt out of the blue. The Japanese company announced its withdrawal at the end of next season, leaving both Red Bull racing and Alpha Tauri without a supplier.

“Certainly for those directly interested it was not unexpected news and they will already be moving on a number of fronts,” commented Gian Carlo Minardi reached by telephone at Mugello where he is involved in the ACI Sport Racing Weekend.

“Honda’s departure is the result of the new Concord Agreement which allows everyone to leave Formula 1 with only a year’s notice without having to pay a penalty. Honestly, it’s not a good sign for the paddock. This news has blown everyone away, even if it was part of the initial plan by the Japanese who had stated right from the start their stay was up to 2021,” continued the manager from Faenza.

Honda is ready to end a cycle that was certainly not easy, even if they had started to reap the rewards with Red Bull which must now knock on the doors of Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes. “This decision opens many scenarios, one of which is the change of strategy by Mercedes with a programme directed solely at supplying engines. Mercedes could sell its team.”

In addition to the supply by Mercedes, the other channel could be the return of the Renault Power-Unit which from next year will be in the World Championship with the Alpine brand. “The relations between Red Bull and Renault were not the happiest for which the collaboration had an abrupt ending but at this time anything is possible” Honda’s exit could also be read as the failure of the hybrid era “The reality is that in this moment there are no news constructors interested in entering the world championship and from 2021 we will have only three engine producers. Not the best for the image of F1,” concluded Gian Carlo Minardi.

F1 | GIAN CARLO MINARDI “WE ARE EXPERIENCING A CAPTIVATING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP”

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After the three Grands Prix on national territory comes the news that Stefano Dominical is ready to fill once again the role of the new CEO of Formula 1 in the place of Chase Carey. Italy is proving to be able to play the leading role in the Motorsport world championship.

Since he is a man who has lived and breathed the Circus’ air, Domenicali will know how to relaunch Formula 1 and this could open the doors to new constructors. He has already shown he is a skilled manager. We are facing a new era where, as yet, the 2021 calendars have not yet been made public. This says a lot about the uncertainties and the problems being faced.
The World Championship has arrived in Sochi, entering the final part of the season. Last Year Ferrari took the pole with Leclerc and Vettel third. I do not believe it is possible to think of a similar result, also because at Maranello they are working quietly with the aim of using the tokens with 2021 in mind.

Amongst the many difficulties dictated by the health emergency we are experiencing a captivating world championship with a major compaction of the performances. With the exclusion of the huge gap between Mercedes and the second row, the gap from the second to the eighth has closed significantly. We have seen a number of surprises, including Alpha Tauri’s win and also McLaren’s recovery. There is always applause for Mercedes’ work which in recent years has managed to keep its domination

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | GP TUSCANY, MINARDI “RED BULL READY TO DELIVER”

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We just left behind a Grand Prix that we will remember for a long time, heated and made unpredictable by a mistake by Mercedes that was more unique than rare. It was a lurch that does not belong to its DNA but can happen.

They gave us a second thrilling race. Congratulations once again to Alpha Tauri and Gasly for both the deserved win and the excellent strategy. Carlos Sainz was very good as well, even if he must recriminate the imperfect start that cost him those 3-4 seconds which were fatal under the chequered flag.

McLaren returned to the podium and this must be an inspiration for Ferrari. After the glorious years they fell into a black hole but they have found the right path again. Ferrari is following the same path but the next change of regulations is on its side.

We are coming to the Grand Prix of Tuscany on the demanding Mugello circuit that is full of ups and down and built inside a basin that will not make life easy for the drivers who will be called to a great physical effort and for the tyres due to the very abrasive asphalt. This is why Pirelli has brought the hardest compounds, C1-C2 and C3.

The last time reference was Barrichello with 1:18.7. The simulations say that this could even go under the barrier of 1.14. Given the characteristics of the track Red Bull could emerge, even if the car of reference is still Mercedes, even without the party mode.

Gian Carlo Minardi

GIAN CARLO MINARDI “LA F1 DEVE RIVEDERE LE REGOLE IN OTTICA 2021”

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“The regulations must be reviewed with an eye on 2021”

Gian Carlo Minardi has no doubts in his interview at the microphone of Minardi.it. In the light of the results of the first grands prix with Mercedes decidedly ahead of all the others with an estimated advantage of more than 1” on its direct rivals it will be necessary to review next season’s technical and sporting regulations.

“We have to give everybody the possibility to at least try to reduce the gap from Mercedes. Otherwise, next season’s result has already been written,” said the manager from Faenza.

Following the Covid-19 health emergency that risked putting the Formula 1 system on its knees the teams and FIA unanimously approved a freeze of many parts of the racing car, leaving little margin for the engineers to work on the future car.

The first 4 GPs gave us an unbeatable and unreachable Mercedes, so much so that at Silverstone last weekend Hamilton managed to win crossing the finish line on three wheels while still having a 6” lead on Max Verstappen and Ferrari was good at transforming every occasion into a podium finish but paying the price with abysmal gaps on the track.

Today Mercedes commands the constructors’ ladder with 146 points, 68 more than Red Bull, 95 more than McLaren and 103 points more than Ferrari which is fourth only one point above Racing Point.

“Mercedes is set to win its seventh world constructors’ title. An unthinkable pace that has no equals. Precisely in the light of these results they could think even think about staying in the Circus only as the supplier of engines,” concluded Minardi.

F1 | MONZA, MUGELLO, IMOLA. GIAN CARLO MINARDI “SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE”

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It is official. In addition to Monza (6 September – Italian Grand Prix) and Mugello (13 September – Grand Prix of Tuscany) Italy will also have another round.

Imola’s Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit will host once more a round of the Formula 1 World Championship 14 years after the last round won by Michael Schumacher in 2006 with Ferrari, in front of Kimi Raikonnen and Robert Kubica.

“Three grands prix on three different circuits must be a source of great pride for Italy. The inclusion of Imola gives me much pleasure both as a Motorsport enthusiast and as President of the ACI Sport Speed Commission on Circuits. It’s certainly a circuit that I’m very fond of since I live barely 14km from the Circuit and, not by chance, we chose it as the venue for the Historic Minardi Day.

We have given a major, as well unique, show of strength managing to make up for the lack of others without having to resort to a double grand prix on the same circuit which, in the case of Silverstone, could become even triple. This is a solution that I honestly don’t appreciate. ” commented Gian Carlo Minardi.

The Circus will return to the track alongside the Santerno River during the weekend of 1 November, a week after the Portuguese Grand prix, the other novelty together with the Eifel Grand Prix which will be run at Nurburging on 11 October.