GP2 champion of 2012, with a stint in Formula 1 in the role of test driver and reserve driver with various teams, and a popular GP commentator for Sky Sport F1 for years. Together with Federica Masolin forms an iconic, fun duo that attends every race weekend, whether in the studio or on the track. The environment in which Davide grew up and where over the years - right from the start in Formula Renault - he has tried various dimensions to continue chase his dream in the name of love for motorsport. Ahead of the US Grand Prix, we had the pleasure of interview Davide Valsecchi and to chat with him analyzing a season which, although "boring" in the eyes of the fans, has given us various food for thought for the next seasons.
Commentary on the F1 season with Davide Valsecchi
Davide, the season is now nearing its end. If we look at the fight between Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston first and McLaren afterwards, one might say: how nice, but then there's Max. How would you describe it?
"Max was sensationally good. At first we thought: he wins because he has a car that makes the difference. From mid-season onwards, however, we realized that he is actually the one who makes the difference. If we see Perez, and we see him particularly ugly, let's say it's also because Verstappen put a lot of his effort into it. But everyone believes they can win next year, I think there is great confidence in the air. Ferrari after winning in Singapore he was super optimistic, McLaren the same following the numerous podiums with Norris and Piastri e Mercedes in all this it is second among the manufacturers. I think we'll have a blast, or at least I hope so".
Is this year's dominance Verstappen's or Red Bull's?
"Red Bull won the first races by exploiting the technical advantage that he had at his disposal: he was stellar and Perez's victories also bear witness to this. Then from mid-season the music changed and it was completely up to him to take center stage Max continuing to destroy his teammates. This is the reality: because, if we start to believe that Perez is poor, then he is poor too gasly? Also Albon? Let's talk about all the drivers who suffered from him and had him as a teammate and, if I see these results, at this point I can't help but underline the strength of a champion like Verstappen".
Is he among the strongest ever?
"This year he did something unique. I believe that cannot be replicated and he simply must be acknowledged. I can hardly believe that he can repeat a season like this for other consecutive years, otherwise we are no longer talking about a human but about a robot".
Perez's difficulties
Can the Valsecchi driver explain how Perez is going through this period?
"There is a technical component that should not be underestimated and it concerns the aspect of how Verstappen approaches the car. I'll give you an example: Albon, who was his teammate, has always said in the minor categories that he likes the car to be precise on the rear. When he instead arrived at Red Bull, with developments throughout the season being driven by Max, the car was too precise up front. And that's a fact that, as a pilot, I can tell you that focuses".
Staying on Perez: everything seems to have started from Miami. How do you get out of this mental problem?
"There are some things that mentally kill you. Verstappen is capable of maneuvers and overtaking that only Hamiltons and super champions are capable of doing and when you see that he does impossible things, and does it with impressive ease, while you are in enormous difficulty, you enter into a great mental crisis".
Considering the importance of Verstappen and that even Red Bull has understood his strength, isn't there a little too much talk about replacing Perez?
"I agree with you. There's too much talk about Perez's future but, in my opinion, they have a very specific plan: they want to replace him with Ricciardo. He was put there to put pressure on the Mexican already during this season, then Perez was confirmed, but it must be said that Ricciardo's injury had a huge influence on the choice".
If that happened, how would you see Ricciardo back in Red Bull?
"Very good. You demonstrated, of course some time ago, that you can stay close to Verstappen. He is one of those who suffered the least: Verstappen was in front of him and there's no doubt about it, but the Dutchman hadn't destroyed him like he did with the others. I think he might be less gamble than many other drivers, also because, when they focused on boys, they have always been swept out. I think it would be a more calculated choice."
The Formula 1 to come
Davide, how many interesting young people there are in Formula 1. One who particularly shone was Lawson: how do you evaluate his debut?
"You know I have a weakness for young people: I support them all. Lawson did something great. I have always thought that all riders, when they have a great opportunity, must take advantage of it immediately. He did it and proved to be very strong: if you do well, for me you deserve a place in Formula 1 and I believe you will have one soon. It should be underlined that in Formula 2 he didn't do badly, on the contrary: he wasn't the best in the class, but he was a very good driver. In Formula 1, however, he proved to be someone capable of driving, and very well too. If maybe they were to put, as I said before, Ricciardo in Red Bull, maybe they would place Lawson in Alpha. Never say never".
"In Formula 1 there are young people who are real talents. Suddenly they arrived: Leclerc, Russell and Norris. Then it came Piastres. I think for the next ten years we will really have fun. There is a show and a talent impressive".
McLaren had an exceptional growth, which highlighted the (already known) strength of Norris, but above all that of Piastri. Is he already considered a top driver?
"Critics when they look at the rankings see that he is below Norris, but there are many other things to consider. If we think that it had been a year since he had driven and that they always brought updates before on Norris's car, it is obvious that you are penalized a little. However, as soon as he had the car at his disposal he demonstrated how much he could fly, and I'm not the only one who says this, but there are the podiums that speak very clearly. In the next few years he launches himself to be one of the top Formula 1 drivers".
Ferrari, Valsecchi: "Leclerc has more talent, but Sainz this year..."
Coming to Ferrari, is the Leclerc-Sainz pair the best on the grid? Who convinced you more between the two?
"Like all couples this year it wasn't perfect. Let me explain. Sainz in the first part of the season he wasn't 100%; Leclerc, however, still seems to be very far from his best performance. But it's not as if their opponents are doing any better: Hamilton-Russell made quite a few mistakes, just look Qatar. I therefore believe that this year Leclerc-Sainz they confirmed themselves as the best couple, but they could have done more. Not that we did badly, but Verstappen's performance undoubtedly has an impact. Therefore: very good, but not exceptional. Sainz played it on equal terms, while I expected a little more from Leclerc".
How do you explain it?
"We have to judge the results. Leclerc has shown that he has more pure talent than Sainz or, at least, that's my idea. This though must be converted into results. With this type of reasoning, for example, if we consider Singapore, I expect him to be on pole and not Sainz, while in the end Leclerc had to act as a squire. This year there was only one opportunity to win: Ferrari took advantage of it, but the one who took it was his teammate who had a true phenomenon in the second part of the season, both in Monza with the pole and then with the success in Singapore . I know that many of us are more attracted by talent, but we also have to deal with the ranking and the results and drivers like Sainz are very uncomfortable to have in the team because they don't give up an inch".
Ahead of the US GP, Davide Valsecchi's feelings
This weekend back on track with the US GP, clearly exclusively on Sky Sport. What do you expect from these latest races?
"It seems to me that in this last part of the season they are coming out the best races. There is more unpredictability: the podiums change often and the drivers seem to me to pay less attention to the rankings, to be more direct in overtaking and less managing. This weekend in Austin will be unmissable, as we race in the evening, therefore, everyone in front of the television".
There will be the Sprint: do you like the format?
"No lo soI'm having a hard time saying it. But I'll tell you what I didn't like: I didn't appreciate that much Qatar they spent a lot of money and they were there a lot of inconveniences. Meanwhile, in Historic tracks like Monza or Spa are met with enormous controversy also risking putting the option of renewal for much inferior things in the way. This, in my very humble opinion, let's be clear, I didn't like it very much".
Making a wish, what would you like to see in these last five races?
"One hope would be to see again another Ferrari victory, but also therebefore Norris or Piastri I would love it".
Discover Davide Valsecchi's FantaF1 team: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNMORRjqO8/
