Before Formula 1 jets off around the globe to Asia, North America and South America for its final whirlwind tour that will take in seven Grands Prix in just two months, it’s time for the final encounter in Europe in this 2016 season, at Monza near Milan.
Monza has one of the biggest histories in Grand Prix racing and an enthusiastic crowd (albeit mainly for Ferrari!) flocking to the pistol-shaped circuit every year. The Italian Grand Prix gives us the fastest track in Formula 1 for average speed and the shortest race. In the 50s and 60s, it featured some incredible banked corners that made up a 10km version.
Nowadays, Monza has one of the shortest laps in the season and usually the shortest race time. Michael Schumacher completed the race in 2003 in 1 hour 14 minutes 19.838 seconds, which is a record and he did it a record average speed of 247km/h (153mph). Juan-Pablo Montoya also set the fastest ever lap for average speed that year in qualifying, at 262.242kph (162.950mph). Personally, I always find it a pity that the race can’t be longer, but the sprint race feel makes it different at least.
Racing began here in the early 1920s and the circuit has hosted more Formula 1 races than any other circuit, on the calendar since the inaugural world championship in 1950 and only missing one year, in 1980, when the race was held at Imola. Therefore, The Italian race has the distinction of being the only one to exist in every year of the world championship.
Among its dramatic records, Monza also hosted the closest race finish in history; in 1971, Peter Gethin led a six-car train across the line that was covered by a 0.61 seconds. Gethin’s margin over Sweden’s Ronnie Peterson in second was a mere 0.01 seconds.
The track these days is punctuated by three chicanes and apart from that made up primarily of long straights.
It’s a tricky track that has those awkward chicanes to fumble over, on which drivers try not to clatter over any kerbs which may cause damage or penalties. The Lesmos, two fast right-handers (Turns 6 and 7 on the map) are great fun for the drivers, the reward for getting them right, shooting out onto the next straight with a significantly higher average speed for the lap, the punishment for getting them wrong, big problems for the lap as they hit the gravel trap.
The third and final chicane is a very fast one and propels the drivers and cars towards arguably the most interesting corner, the final one – Parabolica. A long, long right-hander, apexing this just on point hangs on a fine thread of grip. The corner tempts drivers to barrel in there, later and later on the brakes as they build themselves up through the weekend, but they also have to get the start-finish straight right.
Lewis Hamilton did well in Spa to reduce the damage of his penalties in the drivers’ championship, aided by the red flag. However, with a nine-point advantage, it is still so close between him and Nico Rosberg that nothing can be said to be sewn up, despite his run of form. Felipe Massa has announced his retirement from Formula 1 and will no doubt get a lot of support from the fans at the circuit this weekend, with whom he has been popular since his Ferrari days. It will be tough for him to get a podium as he did last year, however, though this would be an excellent achievement.
UK viewers will have a second live Formula 1 race in a row on terrestrial television, on Channel 4 – live Formula 1 just like we always used to have.
To join in our predictions contest on Ten-Tenths, go here:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...wpost&t=147770
Our Fantasy F1 contest is here:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146625
Constructors’ championship standings:
https://www.formula1.com/en/champion...standings.html
Drivers’ championship standings:
https://www.formula1.com/en/champion...standings.html
Italian Grand Prix tyre selections:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/h...for-italy.html
Circuit length: 5.793km
Number of laps: 53
Race distance: 306.72km
Dry weather tyre compounds: Medium, Soft and Supersoft
DRS Detection Zone 1: just before Parabolica (Turn 11)
DRS Activation Zone 1: on start-finish straight
DRS Detection Zone 2: between the Lesmos (Turns 6 and 7)
DRS Activation Zone 2: on the straight between Turns 7 and 8
Lap Record: 1:21.046 (2004 – Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari)
First Italian Grand Prix: 1921
First Grand Prix at Monza: 1922
First World Championship Grand Prix: 1950
First Grand Prix on current layout: 1981
