F1 | GP IMOLA, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “242.000 TIMES THANK YOU”
The Grand Prix concluded three fantastic days at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit for both the excellent weather conditions and the 242,000 people who invaded not only the circuit, but also the city of Imola. As Formula Imola we are very satisfied with this excellent result that rewards nine months of intense work. The invasion of the track at the end was an indescribable spectacle.
As far as the race was concerned, I must say that the first bend was worth almost the entire GP with Verstappen’s wonderful overtake of Piastri, as well as the last ten laps with the Red Bull driver setting four fastest laps in five rounds. We saw a few overtakes with a GP played on strategies and on the Safety-car. I am sure that the public enjoyed itself and appreciated the show. It is the source of great pride and satisfaction. Now we will see if we are ready for possible future choices.
At the end we also saw Norris overtake his teammate. I believe that this was mainly an overtaking move dictated by strategies since Piastri was under investigation and risked a 5” penalty. Although this time they could do nothing against Red Bull and Verstappen, McLaren continues to exude peace of mind.
Positive signs also came from Ferrari that, as far as I am concerned, produced its best race of the season. There was a lot of talk about a disaster in qualifying but let us not forget that the gap from pole was just six tenths of a second. Currently six tenths are not a few to make up, but it is the confirmation that it only takes a nothing to be kept out of Q3. It set up a good strategy by differentiating between the two drivers, conveying an internal peace of mind that I was not ready for. A fourth and sixth place that can be read with confidence for the future.
It was also a positive weekend for Williams that took fifth place with Albon, although there was no lack of mistakes from Sainz, who was eighth nevertheless and in the points zone at the end of the race. A more than positive ninth place for Red Bulls with Hadjar. I like this young man more and more and I am sure that he will make people talk about him in the near future.
Tsunoda completes the top 10. Besides the bad accident in qualifying, he completed his “task” despite a significant gap from his teammate. I think I see Red Bull on the rise compared to the start of the season.
At Imola, Franco Colapinto made his return to Formula 1. Returning in the seventh round with a “different” car is never easy, especially with these regulations that do not allow you to train on the track in the correct way. Not even when you are called upon to replace a colleague after the start of the championship. He made a major mistake in qualifying, but in the race, he honourably took the car home. He must be left to work in peace and given time to grow. Experience cannot be bought at the supermarket.
They go back to the track in a week’s time, in Monte Carlo, and then on to Barcelona.
Gian Carlo Minardi
