Giancarlo Minardi: “Ferrari versus Mercedes – that’s what will decide the World Championship”

Twenty years ago, Giancarlo Minardi’s popular racing team contested its final Grand Prix in China – the 340th in the team’s history. The Faenza-based team then became Toro Rosso (now known as the Racing Bulls). Minardi, now 78 years old, competed in the top flight with his Scuderia from 1985 to 2005 and has remained closely involved with Formula 1 to this day.

Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, the team founder reflects on the situation on the former team’s website, saying: “Silverstone has confirmed just how evenly matched this World Championship is and how, from now until the end of the season, it will be the small details that make all the difference. Ferrari is returning to success with Charles Leclerc, who, alongside Kimi Antonelli, was the star of the weekend.”

Rennstallgründer Giancarlo Minardi

Foto: XPB

“Kimi delivered a race of the highest calibre. He was the only driver to complete over thirty laps on the medium compound, managed his tyres flawlessly and once again demonstrated remarkable maturity. Until the technical problem with the car, he was quickly closing the gap on Leclerc and would probably have been able to fight for victory right up to the final laps.”

“Once again, Antonelli showed he knew exactly how to read the race, backed by an extremely competitive Mercedes. Despite the technical problem, he decided with great determination to stay on the track and went all out to get the car to the finish line and secure valuable points for the championship, rather than giving up.”

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“I’d already emphasised this in recent weeks, and Silverstone has confirmed it: this championship will be decided not only by speed, but above all by reliability. In my opinion, Mercedes remains the benchmark car, but once again technical problems have prevented the team from achieving the best possible result.”

“Ferrari can be thoroughly satisfied. Charles Leclerc delivered a weekend of the highest calibre and secured a well-deserved victory – thanks to intelligent racing, an excellent strategy and flawless race management. It is a success that rewards the team’s hard work and will give both the Monegasque driver and the entire Ferrari organisation great confidence for the second half of the season.”

“Lewis Hamilton is also proving that he is on a good run and is demonstrating once again just how much his experience adds value to the Maranello team. Ferrari will head to Belgium knowing that they can continue to compete at the very highest level.”