Features

- THE inside story!
- Exclusive interviews with Alonso, Ecclestone, Minardi, Stoddart, Martini, Nannini, Fisichella, Webber, and many more
- How Minardi became F1's best-loved survivor
- Why Ferrari was determined to kill Minardi
- Why Minardi failed to capitalise on success
- Minardi's skill as a talent-spotter

Description

If you want to know what it's like to negotiate with Enzo Ferrari, chase Ron Dennis with a hammer, score points when everyone knows you shouldn't, and bring a Grand Prix promoter to his knees, read this book! In an increasingly grey, corporate paddock, where people were scared of their own shadows, Minardi harked back to a better time. Minardi, Stoddart, Ecclestone, Walker, Martini, Nannini, Campos, Fittipaldi, Mansell, Badoer, Fisichella, Gene, Alonso, Webber, Yoong, Wilson, Bruni and Albers are among the contributors, and that's before we get to fascinating insights from engineers and mechanics. This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 145 unique photos complete this revelationary tale.

Synopsis

After 20 years of glorious 'failure', the best-loved team in Formula One is consigned to the history books, and it deserves one of its own. Minardi had a successful time in Formula Two until the tiny Italian outfit was ready to hit the big time in 1985. It somehow survived in F1's shark-infested waters as bigger teams (Lotus, Arrows, Tyrrell) were dragged under. They have a truly international fan-base and are the 'second team' of most F1 devotees. Minardi is held in such affection as everyone loves the plucky underdog – Minardi's annual budget would have lasted one month at the other Italian team up the road. Yet, from its plant in Faenza near Bologna, Minardi has produced cars that qualify, sometimes score points and often lead the way in their technology. Gian Carlo Minardi also developed a reputation as a fabulous talent-spotter – Fisichella, Trulli, Webber and the youngest ever World Champion Alonso all started their F1 careers with Minardi. For the last five years, Minardi was owned by controversial Australian tycoon Paul Stoddart. Cast as David against the Goliath of F1's governing body, Stoddart constantly hit the headlines as he tried to get a more equal share of the sport's billions. Ultimately, he failed and Red Bull has now bought the team. Despite a petition of 15,000 names the Minardi name has vanished from the F1 grid and true motorheads miss it. This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 140 unique photos complete this revelationary tale.

Independent Reviews

"Simon Vigar charts the highs and lows of a down-to earth team that brought a breath of fresh air into F1's increasingly grey, corporate paddocks ... Interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers round out this David and Goliath story from the far end of the pit lane." – Speedscene
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"This well-written account is a good-humoured read with some great pictures detailing things you might not have known, like Senna’s close relationship with the team ... Well worth a look." – Track & Race Cars
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"... an insight into the goings-on at Minardi HQ, Faenza, through the years of struggle. 'Forza Minardi!' tells you the Minardi story as relayed by those on the inside ..." – AutoXChange (autox.in)
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"This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 140 unique photos complete this revelationary tale." – Startline
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"Formula One's least successful team gets its own tribute in this affectionate history that proves the truism of every dog having its day. Extensive quotes from the key personnel and drivers involved tell the heart-warming story of a team that raced for the love of it, rather than to sell cars." – Octane
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"BOOK OF THE MONTH. ... it's the book's appendix that provides that finest entertainment, detailing Minardi's technical woes race-by-race since 1985. Electrics, spin, turbo, accident, accident, turbo, transmission ... and so on for 19 pages. It's only schadenfreude but we like it." – Top Gear Magazine
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"This is an extremely well-researched read ... Well written and easy on the eye, this first book on the team is a must for Minardi's hardcore fan base." – Motor Sport
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"A must-have for every Minardi supporter, but also an interesting insight into 20 years of motor sport history for those who aren't. The fascinating story of the ups and downs of the plucky squad from Faenza is completed by 140 unique pictures." – forzaminardi.com
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"Minardi showed us the journey can still be fun, and Vigar allows us to relive it once again with 'Forza Minardi!' – AutoRacingHistory.com
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"... a beautifully illustrated book ..." – The Marshal

Additional Information

Covers All Minardi F1 cars from 1985 Minardi M185
Minardi M186
Minardi M187 Motori Moderni 1.5 V6T
Minardi M188 Ford Cos. DFZ 3.5 V8
Minardi M188B
Minardi M189 Minardi M189 Ford Cos. DFR 3.5 V8 1990 (1)
Minardi M190 Minardi M191 Ferrari 3.5 V12 1991
Minardi M191B Lamborghini 3.5 V12 1992
Minardi M191L
Minardi M192
Minardi M193 Ford HB 3.5 V8
Minardi M193B Ford HB 3.5 V8 1994 (1)
Minardi M194
Minardi M195 Ford ED 3.0 V8 M
Minardi M195B Minardi M197 Hart 3.0 V8 1997
Minardi M198 Ford Zetec-R 3.0 V10 1998
Minardi PS01 European V10
Minardi PS02 Asiatech V10 2002
Minardi PS03 Ford Cosworth CR-3 3.0 V10 2003
Minardi PS04 Ford Cosworth 2004
Minardi PS05

Hardback • 250mm x 250mm • 160 pages • 145 colour pictures

ISBN: 9781845841607