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mind, which is a little more malicious and
calculating».
It's an important difference, and we
will have the chance to go deeper in
this aspect in the next instalments.
But let's focus on the drivers. What
are the educational environments for
the people who want to become a top-
class driver?
«From a practical standpoint, I think that
the most formative series are go-kart and
Formula 3. From Formula 3 to Formula 1
the step is possible, if we think to
Hakkinen and Hamilton. Speaking in
terms of theory, I think that professional
driving simulator can be a good filter,
often unbiased and merciless, to
discourage or encourage the career
expectations of young drivers and to help
their parents saving the money they
accumulated through a life of sacrifices».
Let's have fun and design the perfect
driver by choosing the best qualities
of the racing greats, especially the
ones you have known in person...
«Schumacher has been unique for the
race vision during the race itself. He knew
where his were, also in terms of strategy.
Senna for honesty for himself and for
others, including other drivers,
mechanics, fans and sponsors. Gil De
Ferran and Dario Franchitti because their
driving style is physically and mentally
efficient. They express the 100% of their
potential only when it matters, for
example in qualifying or in the closing
stints of the race. Hornish for the
aggressiveness combined with respect of
his own limits on the high-speed ovals.
Emanuele Pirro for the technical
preparation and honesty. Michele Alboreto
for his inner simplicity and, as a
consequence, for the simplicity of his
lifestyle. Lauda and Zanardi for the
determination of winning again after
suffering from some unimaginable
crashes».
Can you imagine being a Team
Principal? How do you choose the
right driver for your team? The
intuition still matters or it just a
budget and pay drivers thing?
«Pay drivers ignite a vicious circle that
leads to less results, unsatisfied and
nervous sponsors, less expectations, lower
quality drivers and even less results.
Choosing the wrong driver is like trying to
get result with incapable people with a
problematic character. If we're really
convinced that having the right people is
key, choosing the wrong driver is the wort
mistake a Team Principal can make
because the relations between the team's
components might be damaged, as well as
the external relations with sponsors and
rivals can lead to demise very quickly.
Giving importance to the budget brought
by a driver also means having a year-by-
year vision of racing. Team Principals also
have the responsibility of selecting and
retaining the services of the team
members. So he has to avoid falling in
love with impossible dreams and mislead
others promising they can reach
unrealistic results with the available
resources. The Team Principal must be
straightforward and choose simple people
that focus on the essential aspects, that
