Giancarlo Minardi on the Dutch Grand Prix

      In a column on his official website, former team owner Giancarlo Minardi reflected on the Dutch Grand Prix…

      Giancarlo Minardi: "There are several factors that could make this Grand Prix more interesting, starting with Pirelli's decision to use softer compounds than 12 months ago — this time they chose C2, C3 and C4. Everything is being done to push teams toward making two pit stops, as is suggested by the FIA's decision to raise the pit-lane speed limit to 80 km/h (compared with the previous 60 km/h). I find this decision questionable.

      Air temperatures will range from 15 to 19 °C, with rain and fairly strong winds over the course of the weekend. Obviously McLaren will arrive in Zandvoort as the favorite, but given all these factors it's difficult to make predictions.

      The fight in the lower half of the Constructors' Championship table is always interesting; four teams are separated by only a few points. For a fan like me, that's very engaging.

      Cadillac has named the drivers — Bottas and Pérez will take the wheel in the new team. I expected a more forward-looking choice, perhaps pairing a young driver with an experienced one.

      There are various rumours about Colapinto's future. The young driver needs to be allowed to work in peace. I hope a few weeks of rest have helped him regain his composure and forget the mistakes he made in the first part of the season, the most recent of which occurred during Pirelli testing. It is clear that Alpine also has several internal problems that need to be resolved, since the team currently sits at the bottom."