The “hills of passion”, Lambrusco, wraps, cheering and a Ferrari that dominates. Like seen in Australia. The next round of the 2022 Formula One season takes place at Imola (April 22-24) and the excitement is growing: “We want to exceed 100,000 spectators, we have already sold 94,000 tickets. There is still room, on Saturday the qualifying sprint race will be an event within the event“. – says Gian Carlo Minardi, 74, with the energy of a little boy and the responsibilities of the president of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack. He represents Imola itself (he is born in Faenza) and has challenged the giants of F1 with a small team. Enjoy his interview for corriere.it:
Do you remember your first time in Imola?
“In 1982, I was already in Formula 2. But even better in 1985, the year of the F1 debut with Pierluigi Martini (who lives next to Rivazza ed). Fans with chops, wine, Minardi flags, on an abusive truck. Other times! But today’s F1 is also spectacular.”
Because of the new rules?
“Yes, we have ten cars that are all different from each other. And now Imola arrives, the first “real” circuit. it will be the cherry on the cake”.
Were you surprised by such a strong Ferrari?
“In Maranello there are men capable of producing better cars than the 2020 and 2021 ones, I was more surprised by the mistakes of the opponents. But I didn’t expect such a competitive Ferrari. Credit goes to the team: after hard years it has remained united and followed its boss. But let’s keep our feet on the ground.”
But it looks like the car can actually win the titles.
“But in Formula 1 it’s easy to go from stars to stalls, there are 20 GPs left. That said, Ferrari was strong everywhere, and the way Charles Leclerc won in Melbourne made a statement.”
What exactly?
“Confidence, serenity, it was unassailable. Charles even went for the fastest lap at the end. He is right, he was driving a “Beast”. Now another championship begins with races in Europe and we will understand if these results can preview a new winning cycle for Ferrari”.
You followed Charles Leclerc since she was a child. What did he see him?
“He had the DNA of a potential champion since karting. With a competitive car, he’s showing what he’s made of. Charles has made mistakes in the past, but no one inside of Ferrari has ever dreamed of questioning him.
Last year he wanted to go beyond the limits of the car, now he has completed the final step.”
Which is?
“Charles doesn’t make mistakes. He has matured. He has a frank and confidential relationship with the car. It’s a sign of confidence.”
Carlos Sainz is under pressure, has he already become the second driver?
“Let’s take it slow. In Australia he had a bad weekend. He got nervous and made a mistake. It is not like him, he is a reliable driver. But there is no need to worry”.
Why?
“Ferrari also wants the constructors’ title and Carlos is one of the best in F1. With Charles he forms a winning line-up, you will see that he will learn and will no longer make mistakes in that way”.
Minardi discovered Alonso. Does Charles Leclerc remind you of Fernando in anything?
“When they are pilots with a capital “P” their attitudes are very similar. Charles has a different character also because he grew up and was shaped within the Ferrari Academy. I struggle to compare them, there are two generations in between.”
A few months have upset the balance: Verstappen and Hamilton are now behind, far away.
«Max not far behind. He has already won in Jeddah, and also in Bahrain before retiring he was close. Lewis is missing, when Mercedes gives him a car we will have even more fun”.
But Red Bull’s problems seem enormous.
Reliability woes can distract development of the car. But if he is on the track he is fast».
Do you think Mercedes can come back?
«With so many problems Hamilton and Russell made two podiums and several points. In such a long championship it is too early to give them up for dead. Let’s enjoy this moment of Ferrari supremacy, let’s live GP after GP”.
Do you like Russell?
“And how can I not like him?” Like Leclerc, he has won in every category. In two races he has placed behind a seven-time world champion. The level of drivers in F1 today is very high».
Sebastian Vettel, four World Championships, last in the standings.
«He was unlucky to have missed two GPs for Covid, in the third he went out. But he should retire. He has a lot of money, he has won titles and he will never win again.”
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