Italian commentator Carlo Vanzini, the voice of Formula 1 on Sky Italy, was interviewed by f1world.it and discuss many topics, including Ferrari’s prospects for the 2022 Formula 1 season, the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, which was won by Max Verstappen ahead of Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ difficulties in this start of the championship. Carlo Vanzini also revealed some interesting backstories about Lewis Hamilton coming close to joining Ferrari on two occasions.
Here are some of the most important comments from the Italian commentator:
The United States has always viewed Formula 1 with a certain skepticism. Yet, at this time, even in America there is great popularity. Why?
Carlo Vanzini: “Certainly Drive To Survive contributed to this situation, the Netflix series has had great success in America. Then the product changed, the Liberty Media ownership is American, and they proved to be very good from a commercial and communicative level, with the merit of having brought many young people closer to this sport. In Miami I saw an atmosphere similar to that of basketball or football games: for the spectators the race on Sunday was the icing on the cake. The cake, on the other hand, was the event itself, which had already begun days before with many activities in the city.”
Many fans argue that the price to pay for this newfound popularity was the loss of some typical characteristics of the spirit of Formula 1. Is there really this ambivalence?
Carlo Vanzini: “Surely. If it were for this ownership, the sport would probably go towards a single-make racing series, with all the drivers competing with the same car. This would totally go against the spirit of Formula 1, competition, and technological development. However, the spirit of Formula 1 went against even when, for economic reasons, we were forced to introduce limitations to tests, with the freezing of the engines and the introduction of the budget cap. But things change, and we have to accept that. Since we started with Sky we have managed to lower the average age of the audience that follows us by about 20 years. For us it is a fantastic result.”
Red Bull and Ferrari, the fight for the title will be decided by development updates
Carlo Vanzini: “The battle takes place between very different cars: Ferrari has more downforce, Red Bull is more efficient on the straight. This creates highly variable hierarchies, which can change from track to track. In Miami there was a gap of about two tenths, but the real difference was made by Max Verstappen, who is an extraordinary driver, and he proved it right from the start, when he surprised Carlos Sainz. I tell the Ferrari drivers to remain calm, not to make drama, not to go from one extreme to the other. After all, when you are disappointed for a second and a third place it means that you are on the right path … “
And the Mercedes? Already forced to prepare for 2023?
Carlo Vanzini: “Mercedes has yet to understand if their car philosophy is the right one. Because only at that point can you direct development and understand whether to insist on this season or focus on next year. It’s never late for the championship. Of course, recovering eight tenths is pretty tough. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they succeed. Ultimately we are talking about a team that has great resources and we are still at the dawn of a new era for Formula 1. Everyone still has a lot of room for improvement and probably no one knows how far they can go over the course of the season.”
Scuderia Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton. Have they ever been close for a partnership?
Carlo Vanzini: “Twice, in 2017 and 2019. Hamilton asked for 50 million, and that was perhaps the least of the problems. But he also requested a series of people that he wanted with him in Maranello which was too long to be accepted. Among other things, that was a special moment, because Ferrari had Sebastian Vettel and it was not easy to give up on a four-time world champion. Lewis then chose to continue with the Mercedes project for life, and the results have been seen. Because I believe that, with the drivers reversed, at least one of the two world championships between 2017 and 2018 would have ended in Maranello. At this point it is very complicated, we will probably never see it, but nothing changes. Senna used to say that a driver becomes great either by driving for Ferrari, or by beating Ferrari. Both Ayrton and Lewis have done so with the second option”.
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The worst and most beautiful moment as a reporter following Formula 1?
Carlo Vanzini: “The fatal accidents of Jules Bianchi and Dan Wheldon are certainly the worse. You would never want to talk about death when you are doing your job. The most beautiful moment was when I made my debut in Argentina in 1998 as a commentator and then as a commentator at Silverstone in 2007. I am very proud of what I do, of who I am, even if obviously I can’t please everyone. I try to recall Formula 1 with the same passion with which as a child I went to the racetrack in the mud of the stands to see my heroes. We are the eyes of our subscribers. And when we go to the track we do it for them. We do our job, we try to do it in the best way possible, and it makes us happy to see all the affection that the public gives us”.
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