Feature
Gabriele Minì: My Ultimate Driver
Gabriele Minì is currently preparing for the season finale in Monza where the Drivers’ Championship is on the line. But before we get to Round 10, we put a different type of test to the PREMA Racing driver.
We have asked him to build us the perfect racing driver and the Italian does not disappoint, picking the best traits of some of Formula 1’s finest, including a former F3 Champion.
INTELLIGENCE
“I'd probably say Lewis Hamilton. He comes to my mind because there are many times where he has been in a fight and sometimes, he has fought hard while sometimes he played it in a really smart way. He's the one that comes to my mind first but there are many smart drivers in F1 and in other categories.”
DRIVING IN THE WET
“For me it's between Max Verstappen and Lewis again. Max has a lot of practice in the wet, I've heard a lot of stories about early in his career about how he would drive in the wet all the time even when everybody else left the track, for sure that helps you grow and adapt quickly. I don't know too much about Lewis' karting days but for sure every time he drives in the wet, he is just on another pace compared to everyone around him easily.”
QUALIFYING
“I think Charles Leclerc is probably one of the best. Max has been showing also the same lately, especially when he has a high confidence level, he delivers almost 100% all the time. But I think Charles when he is on it, when he is feeling confident with the car, he is one of the best out there. There is not one thing that makes you good in Qualifying, it's just delivering under pressure, most of the time that last lap matters and he is really good at it. Also, natural talent, but there is not one thing that makes you better or worse, it just comes naturally.”
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TYRE MANAGEMENT
“I think it's hard to tell because it's not only about the drivers but it is also about finding yourself confident with the car. Lately, Lando Norris seems to be really good at it, but Max in form is one of the best because he can push really hard and still find a way to manage."
BRAVERY
“It's another hard thing to tell, there are different things, bravest on a street circuit maybe I would say Charles, bravest in overtakes, the one that can risk the most is probably Max, there are different aspects.”
SMOOTH OR AGGRESSIVE
“Probably Oscar Piastri. I think he almost sometimes looks like he is driving slowly, but he is just so smooth.”
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OVERTAKING
“Probably Max, on a day when he wants to win, we have seen many times that he is aggressive, like in 2021, it's something that I like. When you are this aggressive and you just go for it, most of the time it will end up well.
ANYTHING ELSE?
“Not really to be honest, I think the list is good already.”