It was a sensational weekend also on the side of the participation of the public with Monza, breaking all the attendance records, which demonstrated how much passion there is in Italy for Motorsport, with a spectacular invasion of the track.

Going back to the Grand Prix, I was left positively impressed with the sportiness, calmness and organization by McLaren when they asked Piastri, the current leader of the world championship, to give back to Norris the position he had lost due to a mistake by the team during the pit stop (a problem with the front left). Without wasting time, Oscar immediately let his teammate pass, who thanked him the gesture. I do not know how many other teams, and drivers, would have done the same thing. Amongst other things, McLaren wanted to give a strong message by setting the fastest lap of the race in the penultimate lap.

On the other hand, I did not like Toto Wolff’s comments after the race when he declared he was not satisfied with fifth and ninth places by Russell and Antonelli, highlighting that only one driver did well today, Max Verstappen. Such comments are not good for a team that is already experiencing a few problems. A TP should protect his team. I was surprised by the penalty for Antonelli which came on the last lap when the fact happened on the 46^th lap.

Fourth place overall for Ferrari that tried everything to exceed its potential by focussing on a low down-force setup. However, this result represents the maximum achievable with this car.

It was an excellent result for Albon, seventh with Williams, and then for Bortoleto just behind him with Sauber. Albon was able to overturn a qualifying session that ended only with fourteenth place, by fighting for the top positions by setting some very interesting times.

We await eight interesting rounds. In two weeks, at Baku, McLaren could confirm tits championship title. While the internal battle between its two drivers remains open.  While we wait for the Azerbaijan GP, I look forwards to seeing many of you at Imola for the 9^th edition of the Historic Minardi Day, where I expect to find the same enthusiasm experienced over the last few days at Monza. It would be a nice gesture towards all the collectors who, with great dedication and passion, often working in the evenings to prepare their cars to come to have fun on the track and to entertain the fans. I am looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | ITALIAN GP THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “VERSTAPPEN WAS STUNNING. WELL DONE MCLAREN FOR THE SPORTSMANSHIP. NOW EVERYONE AT THE HISTORIC MINARDI DAY” proviene da Minardi.

The Hungaroring will be the last round before the (well-deserved) summer break and will most likely be the watershed moment for many realities, in particular, the smaller teams which will then have to make the important decision of whether to continue focussing on the season or to channel all their efforts towards 2026.

In particular, I refer to those teams occupying the second half of the ladder, led by Sauber with 43 points, followed by Racing Bulls (41), Aston Martin (36), Haas (35, and finally Alpine bringing up the rear with 20 points.  The gaps are very small and all it takes is a positive result (see Sauber’s podium in Silverstone with Hulkenberg) to turn the situation around. At the moment, Aston Martin is focussed on internal reorganization and 2026, with repercussions on the results on the track.

They take to a track that is practically a wide kart circuit where qualifying plays a crucial role. The weather could also be an unknown factor that should not be underestimated with highly variable temperatures throughout the weekend (expected to drop from about 30 degrees on the Friday to the 25° forecast for Sunday) with the possibility of rain as well. These changes could also have repercussions on the tyres, with Pirelli bringing the C3, C4 and C5. Usually, the evolution of performances during the weekend is very marked on this track, especially during the first two days. Graining could appear during Friday’s free practice and then gradually decrease as the cars rubberize the asphalt. High thermal wear is a factor that the drivers will have to deal with even in the qualifying lap, with the Soft tyre that – if not managed adequately – could put them in difficulty in the last two bends of the track, just as the supplier points out.

The Hungaroring will not be the stage of the last days of Formula 1 activity before the summer break. In fact, a session of tests for the developments of the tyres for 2026 will also be held at the circuit, scheduled for Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August with the collaboration of Ferrari (one day), Racing Bulls (one day), McLaren (one day) and Alpine (two days). The tests will be used to decide on the designs for next year.

On the track front, it will be interesting to follow the internal battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with the Australian winning in Belgium, extending his lead over his teammate. Positive signs came from Ferrari with Leclerc’s third place and Hamilton’s partial comeback, thus reinforcing their second place in the constructors’ championship.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP HUNGARY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “40 FORTY YEARS FROM THE FIRST EDITION AND THE MINARDI TEAM’S DEBUT IN F1” proviene da Minardi.

All eyes are on Ferrari which will bring its new suspension to Belgium, already tested at Mugello during the 200km filming day. On a weekend which sees the return of the Sprint race and with only one session of free practice, on the Friday. This could be a strong signal from the team.

As usual, the weather will be an important variable: the forecasts predict mixed conditions, with a wet track for the Sprint Race, while qualifying and the GP should be run in dry conditions. On a track that is demanding track for both the cars and for the drivers – characterized by 19 bends, traction problems and engines under stress on the long straights – with the 1,900 metres of the Kemmel section, run under full throttle for 24 seconds, standing out.

For this round Pirelli has chosen three non-consecutive dry compounds: while Medium (C3) and soft (C4) are contiguous, the Hard will be the hardest of the 2025 range, namely C1. The use of two types of wet tyres, the Intermediate and the Extreme Wets, is not to be ruled out

We are entering into the second half of the season with two consecutive rounds (Belgium and Hungary) before the summer break. While there is little to say about the battle for the constructors’ title – solidly in the hands of McLaren – for the drivers’ title., with the internal battle between Piastri and Norris, there will certainly be plenty of interest, even when it happens behind the scenes.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP BELGIUM, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “FERRARI IS BETTING ON SPA, RED BULL CHANGES FACES” proviene da Minardi.

The absolute star of the weekend was McLaren that showed a race pace two seconds per lap faster than its rivals. A disarming, and in some ways worrying, superiority built on an excellent aerodynamic downforce. It was a shame for Oscar Piastri who compromised his race when the safety car returned; a trivial mistake, but one that cost him dearly. More than a win for Norris, it seemed like a race lost by the Australian.

Applause also for Sauber and Nico Hulkenberg, starting 19^th, the German finished on the podium behind the two McLarens, taking the first podium of his career. His was an impeccable race in which he knew how to make the most of the mistakes by others.

Disappointment for both Ferrari and Mercedes, where Hamilton, without the mistake, could easily have aimed for the podium. It went even worse for Charles Leclerc, sunk by questionable strategy and by a few personal mistakes: it was a Sunday to forget.

Kimi Antonelli was also unlucky, forced to refire after being rear ended by Lawson who badly damaged the rear of the Mercedes. Once again, the young Italian talent found himself out of position due to faulty strategy.

After Saturday’s extraordinary pole position Max Verstappen finished fifth. He was penalized by a spin and a setup that was too focused on dry conditions. The Red Bull, lacking downforce, suffered in the wet conditions.

Such unusual conditions often give us unpredictable placings: aside from the first two places, standing out are the names of teams and drivers that seemed destined for anonymity after qualifying. Shining were Sauber and Alpine which were able to capitalize on the opportunity. Aston Martin took home valuable points with Stroll in seventh place and Alonso in ninth

The next round, Spa-Francorchamps at the end of July.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | THE BRITISH GP, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “CHAOS AND SPECTACLE: MCLAREN DOMINATED, HULKENBERG ON THE PODIUM, DISASTER FOR FERRARI” proviene da Minardi.

At 18 years of age, he was the protagonist of an extraordinary race in a very hard context such as the Montreal track. If we analyze his lap times, we can see that in some circumstances he was even faster than his teammate, who won the race. Hats off to Toto Wolff and Mercedes who invested in him, but, above all, congratulations to him for earning this result on the track.

From the very first curve he made himself the master and then managed a very tight race in the best way possible, with five cars separated by barely five seconds with ten laps to go.  Apart from the mistake that involved the two McLaren drivers, with Norris confirming all his mental fragility, Antonelli was able to keep behind the current leader of the world championship. Piastri, who last year was in the battle for the title until the end, Norris, by twice attacking the two times reigning world champion Max Verstappen who managed to avoid being overtaken by making the most of the strategy by quickly entering the pits to change tyres.

He was surrounded by sharks, and he did not let himself be intimidated despite being the youngest and the least experienced. Let us not forget that experience cannot be bought at the supermarket but can only be acquired on the track without making mistakes. Just like he did today. This result can help us make the Italian system grow and credit also goes to ACI Sport.

In addition to Kimi’s podium, Mercedes also “took home” the first win of the season thanks to George Russell. The changes introduced in Canada paid off, earning them second place on the constructors’ ladder. For the first time since the start of the season McLaren finished a GP off the podium.

Fifth and sixth places for Ferrari.  This result reflects the current strength of this car. In a championship that is still very long and hard fought there will be room to recover. For now, those at Maranello can console themselves with the third successive win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Certainly, having cars in the first four positions is an incredible result, synonymous with competitiveness and reliability. Obviously, they still know how to build winning cars.

Now we wait to see what will happen in Austria.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP CANADA, THE POINT BY CARLO MINARDI “KIMI, AN AMAZING PODIUM. HE HELD HIS OWN AGAINST THE SHARKS. NORRIS, WHAT A MISTAKE!!” proviene da Minardi.

Mekies’ men must ponder a bit on the points thrown away at the start of the season. They now find themselves in sixth place, 26 points behind Williams. Personally, Hadjar is one of the best surprises of this 2025. I really like his approach to the race weekend, and also with the team. I am sure that he can do well. The first points of the season for Fernando Alonso, ninth across the finish line. Aston Martin is starting the see Newey’s hand.

Thanks to third and sixth places Ferrari climbed over both Red Bull and Mercedes in one fell swoop, moving up to second place on the constructors’ ladder. They did well, especially Leclerc who sacrificed a position in qualifying, saving a set of the compound. Certainly, a little help also came from the entry of the safety-car.

With the entry of the safety-car in the last 11 laps. following the retirement of Antonelli, the GP livened up and I found the penalty given to Verstappen in the tussle with Russell correct, as I also found correct the decision not to proceed with the one given to Leclerc. Verstappen, a little too nervous this weekend, was the only one to also use the hard tyres.

McLaren confirmed it is unbeatable, and Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull can only race for third place, barring some cataclysm. Piastri took his fifth win of the season firmly placing his bid for the world championship. Except for FP1, he “branded” all the sessions, including the fastest lap of the race. He was superlative. The car certainly supports him in the best way possible.

The reliability problems in Mercedes which, in this start of the season have struck both drivers, as well as Alonso’s Aston Martin (that carries the Mercedes engine) are starting to cause concern. Until his retirement Antonelli was having a very good race continuing his apprenticeship by solidly taking the fifth/sixth place. His lap times were in line with Russell, while he still needs to improve at the start.

We are witnessing a fine championship with a major diversification of performance between qualifying, heart stopping, and the race. If, in the fast lap the difference really is minimal – on Saturday in Q1 the 20 cars were enclosed within the space of 8 tenths of a second, and in Q2 barely 6 tenths – in the race the gap increased considerably. In fact, before the entry of the SC, only nine cars were on full laps.

In two weeks, they go overseas to Canada.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP SPAIN, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “VERSTAPPEN NERVOUS. CORRECT NOT TO PENALIZE LECLERC. PIASTRI SUPERLATIVE” proviene da Minardi.

Monte Carlo is a race that enhances the skills of the drivers and, since we are talking about professionals, they were great at not making mistakes, as well as being a stage for sponsors and glamour.

This new regulation did nothing but make interpreting the race difficult and probably someone had even forgotten it. Compared to past editions we had no upheavals. I have the habit of following the GPs by also keeping an eye on the times and gaps, but as a mere spectator it is not easy. I dare not imagine in the grandstands.

However, congratulations must be made to McLaren, especially Norris for the pole position and win, as well as to Leclerc. There is no use complaining because he did very well by taking second place in both qualifying and the race. Hamilton paid the four tenths of a second gap from pole, that is then the gap of the Ferrari. Therefore, he carried out a masterpiece taking it to the front row.

Congratulations also go to the Racing Bulls, for both the race and the strategies that placed the two cars in the points zone, just like Williams and Haas that finished the race with Ocon in seventh place. Important points for all of them. Certainly, the two Mercedes failed, authors of an inexplicable strategy, and Fernando Alonso, forced to retire due to a technical problem.

We say a quick goodbye to Monte Carlo move on to Barcelona where the new TD will be introduced. Involving all the teams, I believe little will change.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP MONTE CARLO, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “IT IS A RACE THAT IS RUN ON SATURDAY” proviene da Minardi.

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

L'articolo F1 | GP IMOLA, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “242.000 TIMES THANK YOU” proviene da Minardi.

We caught up with Gian Carlo Minardi, President of Formula Imola, who is engaged, together with his team, in organizing this extraordinary event. “We are working hard to give all the fans who come to Imola a great show and to make it harder for those who will have to make the final decision on the future of this Grand Prix. Today we are close to crossing the 180,000-ticket mark and we are optimistic about breaking all the attendance records over the three days. It would be an incredible and important result not only for the Circuit, but for all our territory. We want to show everyone that Italy is number one,” Commented Minardi.

In addition to the activities on the track, Imola will offer a schedule of events planned to involve the fans, families, citizens and visitors. “We are completing the FUN ZONE – open from Thursday – where, amongst other things, it will be possible to meet and talk with the protagonists, from the drivers to the Team Principals, without forgetting Imola’s city centre, the beating heart of the weekend together with the Circuit very equipped with amusements, entertainment and tastings”

There will be concerts, DJ sets, shows, talks, museums, artistic installations, driving simulators, activities for children, exhibitions dedicated to the history of Formula 1 and the great champions of the past, photographic exhibitions, historical models on display, together with the possibility of thematic guided tours between engines and culture, with extraordinary openings of the city’s venues, educational workshops, markets, book presentations, with Made in Italy in the centre in all its forms.

“We have designed a show within a show. The enthusiast and fan can go to the Circuit to follow the activities on the track with the Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup races. Those accompanying him can enjoy an equally entertaining weekend regardless of Formula 1. Many special trains are available for this event, thus avoiding the stress of traffic. Imola’s railway station and the main entrance to the Circuit, located in Viale Dante, are just over 1,500m from each other, and along the way you pass through the historic city centre with all its attractions.

The engines will be switched on at 9.55 on Friday morning with the first hour of free practice of F3, F2 (11:05) and F1 (13:30) to be switched off only with the conclusion of the Made in Italy and the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. “Friday promises to be very interesting. All the teams will bring many new developments onto the track which will be tested in free practice, and it will be very interesting to follow. Furthermore, it is the day that costs the least. We are very satisfied with the presales, and I would like to hear, together with the Ferrari red tide, the support for our driver Kimi Antonelli even if he is racing in the colours of the rival team Mercedes,” concluded a smiling Minardi.

L'articolo F1 | WAITING FOR IMOLA, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “ALMOST 180,000 TICKETS SOLD. COME AND SUPPORT FERRARI AND KIMI ANTONELLI” proviene da Minardi.

Imola -MINARDI DAY

The Japanese Grand Prix was a very interesting race, perhaps not so much on the overtaking front, but in terms of lap times with the first six finishing within 19 seconds, the top three within little more than 3”.

Verstappen once again made the difference in Red Bull, confirming all his worth, after having given us a preview on Saturday by taking home an extraordinary pole position, ahead of the two McLarens, despite having an inferior car.

Tsunoda, in his first outing with Red Bull, paid for what is the true value of the car. If, during free practice he had managed not to make a bad impression in comparison to his teammate, in qualifying the Dutchman made the difference. Starting so far back it became difficult to catch up. He set good lap times, but he crossed the finish line 58’ behind.

This weekend consecrated the forces in the field in both the constructors’ and the drivers’ fronts. Although Piastri had something more than Norris, I agree with the strategies and the choices made by McLaren which, in any case, with second and third places, consolidated its leadership in the championship. In both qualifying and in the race, the team from Woking “gave” Verstappen a tenth of a second, which cost it the win.

Positive signs came from Mercedes which consolidated second place, thanks to fifth and sixth places with Russell and Antonelli respectively. In particular, Antonelli raced like a top driver on a demanding track like Suzuka which he, just like the other rookies,  did not know, setting not only the fastest lap of the race, which gave him not only the new track record and the youngest driver to set it, but he was the driver who completed the most laps with the “yellows”. After a defensive first part, from the 32^nd to the 53^rd lap he consistently lapped within a few tenths of a second from his best performance, recovering six/seven tenths of a second on his teammate on each lap. A strategy that decidedly paid off in terms of lap times. The support of an engineer like Bono, who worked alongside Hamilton for the last twelve years, is invaluable. Let us not forget that this is only the third round.

Although improving on a year ago, Ferrari finished in fourth place with Leclerc, 16 seconds from the top, which translates into a gap of almost three tenths of a second. This is not a lot, but it may not be easy to make up.

I was positively impressed by Hadjar, who was excellent in both qualifying – just behind Antonelli-, and also in the race with eight place and important points for the team.

However, there is little time because they go back on the track on Friday with the fourth round in Bahrein, a track that everyone knows very well, including the rookies.

Gian Carlo Minardi

L'articolo F1 | GP JAPAN, THE POINT BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI “VERSTAPPEN CONTINUES TO IMPRESS. ANTONELLI DROVE LIKE A TOP DRIVER. proviene da Minardi.