2007 Italian GP thread.

Knowlesy · 6 Sep 2007, 20:25 (Ref:2005623)

Hoorah. The Italian GP at Monza. Speed. Excitement. Speed. A touch of danger. Speed. Italians. Err....a nice podium.

And the best part of this is next week we are off to Spa too. What a great part of the season this is with all the tension of title chases on top.

Sadly, we head to Monza with bad news in the air. Yes, it saddens me to say this, but yet another tarmac run-off has been installed. It is at the second chicane. A "racing driver" explains:

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Coulthard

"Anything that improves safety has got to be a good thing. It is a fact that tarmac slows the car down quicker than gravel. The old theory of digging into gravel is fine, but what happens with these flat bottom cars is that they bounce over the gravel."

Whatever you do DC, do not have a suspension or brake failure at the second chicane. Your theory may then look thin.

Next year they want the kerbs flattened. The kerbs are a part of Monza! Stop it GPDA! I want you all to retire. I am bored with the wimpishness. Why not lie in bed with a mug of Horlicks instead of pretending to be warriors of the track? Still, I will try not to let these details spoil Monza.

Can we expect any surprises here this year? Will Alonso emulate Schumacher's retirement announcement of last season perhaps? Will McLaren be given a heroes welcome by the Tifosi? Will Yamamoto look like a competent GP driver? The mind boggles.

UK viewers warning: qualifying will be shown on an obscure ITV digital channel. Those folk stuck in the dark ages still will have to make do with an enthralling rugby contest and, let me tell you, it is a true "Clash Of The Titans", a game far more important than some crumby four way F1 title fight. *snigger*

Those who do get to watch qualifying, look out for controversy. In 2006 a new rule was created, specifically for Monza, where any driver on the track at the same time as a Ferrari driver is stripped of their times and demoted down the grid. Look out for eight cars staying in their garages.

Enjoy the race/rugby.

Current drivers championship standings

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points	Wins
1.	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	84	3
2.	Fernando Alonso	McLaren-Mercedes	79	3
3.	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	69	3
4.	Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari	68	3
5.	Nick Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber	47	0
6.	Robert Kubica	BMW-Sauber	29	0
7.	Heikki Kovaleinen	Renault	19	0
8.	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	17	0
9.	Alexander Wurz	Williams-Toyota	13	0
10.	Nico Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	9	0
11.	Mark Webber	Red Bull-Renault	8	0
11=	David Coulthard	Red Bull Renault	8	0
13.	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	7	0
14.	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	5	0
15.	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri-Honda	4	0
16.	Jenson Button	Honda	1	0
16=	Sebastien Vettel	BMW-Sauber	1	0

Current constructors championship standings

Pos.	Constructor	Points	Wins
1.	McLaren-Mercedes	148	6
2.	Ferrari	137	6
3.	BMW-Sauber	77	0
4.	Renault	36	0
5.	Williams-Toyota	22	0
6.	Red Bull-Renault	16	0
7.	Toyota	12	0
8.	Super Aguri-Honda	4	0
9.	Honda	1	0
10	Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari	0	0
10=	Spyker-Ferrari	0	0

Italian GP: recent history

2006 top eight finishers

Pos.	Driver	Team	Time/gap	Grid pos.
1.	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1h14m51.975	2nd
2.	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren-Mercedes	+8.046	Pole
3.	Robert Kubica	BMW-Sauber	+26.414	6th
4.	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+32.045	9th
5.	Jenson Button	Honda	+32.685	5th
6.	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+42.409	8th
7.	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+44.662	11th
8.	Nick Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber	+45.309	3rd

	Driver	Team	Laptime
2006 fastest lap	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren-Mercedes	1m22.559
2006 pole position	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren-Mercedes	1m21.484
Lap record	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1m21.046 (set in 2004)

Other previous winners

Year	Driver	Team
2005	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes
2004	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
2003	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2002	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
2001	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams-BMW
2000	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
1999	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan-Mugen Honda
1998	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
1997	David Coulthard	McLaren-Mercedes
1996	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari

Circuit and race weekend information
Circuit map and timetable
Live timing
Event artwork
Official site

Natter natter in the chat room.

Try this for size: predictions competition.

Dutton · 6 Sep 2007, 20:43 (Ref:2005643)

How do you make tables like that? It has been bugging me for a longtime.

Yet more tarmac run-off.... Years ago, before they were all the rage, I argued that they were more effective than gravel traps (I did not want them introduced, but I argued they were more effective). Sad days,

. Drivers should not be able to get away with stuff so easily...

At least they haven't added an extra chicane, or anything.

I just don't know what to expect from this weekend at all...

Inigo Montoya · 6 Sep 2007, 20:46 (Ref:2005648)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Those who do get to watch qualifying, look out for controversy. In 2006 a new rule was created, specifically for Monza, where any driver on the track at the same time as a Ferrari driver is stripped of their times and demoted down the grid. Look out for eight cars staying in their garages.

Either that, or they'll just stay in the pits to block their teammates.

Knowlesy · 6 Sep 2007, 20:49 (Ref:2005653)

*applauds*

pottiella · 6 Sep 2007, 21:54 (Ref:2005692)

as ever, fabulous preview knowlesy..

Rugby? pah! I want to see my 2hr hour coverage of Lewis Hamilton I do!! I feel deprived...

Still, I'm pretty exhausted already from the revelations of the last 2 days...I mean it's like bloody buses: you wait 3 weeks for a dull race, then another 2 weeks with all but a tumbleweed blowing across you...only to all of a sudden get 2 of the best grand prixs on the calendar, two F1 court hearings that could change the face of the championships, and a rush of explosive news all within the space of 14 days!

It's just not right, I tell ya.

**Born Racer** · 6 Sep 2007, 21:56 (Ref:2005693)

What is the point in kerbs if they're flat and drivers can drive over them without it causing a problem? They're merely an extension of the track.

It's like in 1996 when they hooped those tyres over something solid and the drivers complained that they were hitting them. Should they complain in Monaco that there is a barrier in their way?

Dutton · 6 Sep 2007, 22:08 (Ref:2005697)

Part of me has often thought they should just do away with kerbs altogether (assuming there to not be tarmac run-off immediately by the track itself).

Kerbs look cool, though, so I want them to stay. They should be challenging, though, I agree.

ralf fan · 6 Sep 2007, 22:09 (Ref:2005698)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Will McLaren be given a heroes welcome by the Tifosi?

They'd generally rather swallow poison.

Marbot · 6 Sep 2007, 23:37 (Ref:2005734)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Should they complain in Monaco that there is a barrier in their way?

I agree that they should remove the barriers.Cars that would otherwise end up in the swimming pool are just getting clean away with it.

Nice intro Knowlesy.And about bloody time as well.

JeremySmith · 7 Sep 2007, 01:26 (Ref:2005758)

Stellar work as always Knowlesy.. DC "Do you take sugar in your Horlicks" Any car that is not painted red is in trouble for just being there this weekend..I do love Monza though.

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Sep 2007, 10:16 (Ref:2005957)

There's a sports bar here showing the F1 and the rugby.

Marbot · 7 Sep 2007, 11:26 (Ref:2005996)

I'm hoping for a Ferrari victory (against my better judgement),as I fear that proceedings at the end of the race may prove to be a little unsavoury if another rival team were to win shall we say!

But anyway,there's no sign of rain at Monza and the Earth is still spinning on its axis in that way that it does (unless,of course,you know different).

Sodemo · 7 Sep 2007, 11:56 (Ref:2006018)

Monza is typically a boring race for F1, I can't decide whether to go to Donnington for the Renault thing, or to stay in and watch the GP...

CDK 7 · 7 Sep 2007, 13:03 (Ref:2006067)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Monza is typically a boring race for F1, I can't decide whether to go to Donnington for the Renault thing, or to stay in and watch the GP...

go to donninton u see more overtaking there not some boring race won in the pits!!!

pottiella · 7 Sep 2007, 14:12 (Ref:2006121)

I think this one will be quite an interesting GP actually...the 4 guys are MUCH closer to each other than they probably have been all year. Following friday free practices carefully, qualifying runs, long runs, tyres, sector times, consistency...the two teams, and indeed the four drivers have specific advantages under specific conditions...so the only thing that really stands in the way is fuel loads.

Prepare for either ultra aggressive/contrasting fuel strategies to outwit each other or within a lap of each other to try eliminate the factor of pitstops/inlaps/outlaps...there really is nothing to choose between the four for qualifying.

I expect there to be some track action too *gasp*

Davhut · 7 Sep 2007, 15:28 (Ref:2006163)

Knowlesy:
Great post, thanks. I hope to see Monza one day, it must elicit the same spine chills as driving through the tunnel into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for those of us with a passion for history and love of the sport.
Can't wait for the race on Sunday AM here (0600 hr broadcast) and all the wacked political drama will be put aside for a couple hours.

Marbot · 7 Sep 2007, 19:21 (Ref:2006325)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottiella

I expect there to be some track action too *gasp*

Probably all within the first ten seconds.After that,who knows!

**Bononi** · 7 Sep 2007, 22:39 (Ref:2006442)

Wonderful preview mate.

Action !

Gt_R · 8 Sep 2007, 04:03 (Ref:2006548)

Look forward to it... at least it's a track that a faster car can actually overtake on.

FPV GTHO · 8 Sep 2007, 04:48 (Ref:2006556)

That doesnt gurantee anything though. In recent years, Monza has probably been one of the most noticeable parades. I think the cars are seperated too much through Parabolica to be able to do anything about it into the first chicane, which i believe is where theyre reaching the highest speeds.

Nicholosophy · 8 Sep 2007, 04:56 (Ref:2006558)

It's important to remember that there is still a four way battle happening at the moment. By the time Spa comes around that could be changed due to off-track things, so we should all enjoy it while it lasts.

FPV GTHO · 8 Sep 2007, 05:15 (Ref:2006561)

Well if McLaren are sanctioned further, theyre not guranteed to get the full penalty of DQ from this and next years championship. And even so, thats not guranteed to cover both the constructors AND drivers championship.

Nicholosophy · 8 Sep 2007, 06:03 (Ref:2006573)

Well I for one are looking forward to the battles towards the end of the field. STR and Spyker must be desperate to score some points before the end of the year to get their hands on more cash from the pool. Will the new Spyker gearbox give them some sort of advantage over those around them, or will it be so unreliable that they may as well have a 3 speed auto in it?

**Born Racer** · 8 Sep 2007, 08:48 (Ref:2006630)

Well the new Spyker looks a bit better from Friday practice. Not much though. And it´s only Friday.

But Toro Rosso are their usual dire selves.

TIMELORD · 8 Sep 2007, 08:53 (Ref:2006635)

Interesting to see from Friday's times that the Spykers are now comfortably mixing it with the Toro Rossos (even Yamamoto quicker than Liuzzi over the two sessions). I wonder if this will be the case in qualifying.

I agree with Nicko GP. We should savour this year's title battle for as long as it lasts - it's the closest and most open we've had for years.

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