MONZA
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is located near the town of Monza, north of the industrial, commercial and fashion capital of Italy, Milan. The circuit was financed by the Milan Automobile Club and officially opened in September 1922 (the maiden race was the Italian Grand Prix). It is located in a pristine parkland and woodland setting. This legendary high-speed circuit has been the scene of many enthralling races through the years. To look back at the history of Monza is to look back at the very history of motorsport and indeed Formula 1 itself. Motor racing heroes and famous Marques have all made a name for themselves here, and in so doing written their stories into the history of F1. Monza has undergone numerous changes through the years: chicanes and corners have been either added or lengthened or shortened. The current track layout was first used in the year 2000 for Formula 1.
Monza is the spiritual home of Italian motorsport. The Tifosi (Ferrari fans) will be feverishly hoping that the scarlet cars of the prancing horse team can put in a great performance and claim victory. The Monza F1 Grand Prix this weekend is the culmination of a number of motorsport related events held in and around the famous circuit; this is the highlight of the year’s motorsport events: Formula 1 is in town!
This is the 13th race on this year’s F. I. A. Formula calendar and the last race for the season in Europe. The title sponsor for this prestigious event is Santander.
TRACK STATS:
Length: 5.793 km’s
Turns: 11
Race Distance: 307.029 km’s (53 laps)
Current Lap Record: Rubens Barichello (Ferrari) (2004) 1:21:046
2010 Winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
RACE TIME
Qualifying: 14h00 (SA time – Saturday 10th September 2011)
Race: 14h00 (SA time – Sunday 11th September 2011)
WEATHER:
Saturday: 19/28
Sunday: 18/27
The extended weather forecast for race weekend is for sunny and hot conditions.
TECHNICAL
Monza is the fastest track on the F1 calendar. The cars race at full throttle for approximately 75% of the lap, at average lap speeds of around 250km/h. Car set-up will be crucial: a fine trade-off is needed between drag and down force. As in Spa two weeks ago, the cars will be carrying very little rear wing, in order to maximise straight line speed on the four fast straights of this clockwise circuit. There are some fast corners and slower chicanes, carrying enough “wing” to give the car the right balance and mechanical grip in these corners will be critical; whilst at the same time drag must be reduced to maximise straight line speed. The camber, of the front wheels especially, will be pivotal to ensure maximum grip levels in the corners.
The opening laps of the race are traditionally very hard on the brakes. At this stage the cars are carrying virtually full fuel tanks, and the continuous hard braking after fast straights will test the brakes to their limits. The cars lighten throughout the race, as the fuel loads drop, and this eases the pressure exerted on the brakes somewhat.
Pirelli has brought 2 tyre options for this race: the “supersoft” compound (yellow writing on tyre sidewalls) tyre, and the “prime” or “option” (white writing) harder compound tyre. The teams have 5 sets of “supersoft” tyres and 6 sets of “prime” tyres to use for qualifying and the race itself. Pirelli knows this track intimately, as it was here at Monza that they did a lot of research and development on the current generation of tyres before re-entering F1.
There are two DRS (drag reduction system) overtaking zones for this race. The first is on the run down to the “Ascari” chicane: cars will approach this tricky chicane at speeds of +-330km/h. This is a very challenging overtaking zone, who will out-brake who into the chicane? There could be some very interesting passes here.
The second DRS zone is on the start/finish straight. It will be easier to pass here, however the cars will be hitting speeds of +-340km/h before they brake hard for the “Rettifilo” chicane. The legendary “Curva Parabolica” (leading back onto the start/finish straight) is arguably one of the most challenging corners in F1: you need to attack this corner hard, but lock a front or rear wheel for a second under braking, or take the wrong line and “get out of shape”, and you will be meeting the gravel trap (+-215km/h, 3,7 “G’s”). The “Curva di Lesmo” is no less challenging: entry speed for the cars is +-190km/h, before accelerating to +-260km/h an hour on a short straight, then braking hard once more to exit at +-170km/h.
It is not just the cars that will be tested to the limit; spare a thought for the drivers. The lateral force or “G” force pressure that will be exerted on their physiques will vary from 0.1 to 4 “G’s”. If you then take into account the high average speed of this race (although the race distance is just over 300km’s – similar to Spa – Monza is one of the shortest races of the year time wise) and the concentration levels needed to keep the car racing “on the edge”, then you will appreciate exactly how hard they have to work to provide their adoring fans with the racing action that they have come to expect.
2011 – F1 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER STANDINGS:
- Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 259
- Mark Webber RBR-Renault 167
- Fernando Alonso Ferrari 157
- Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 149
- Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 146
- Felipe Massa Ferrari 74
- Nico Rosberg Mercedes 56
- Michael Schumacher Mercedes 42
- Vitaly Petrov Renault 34
10. Nick Heidfeld Renault 34
2011 – F1 CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS:
- RBR-Renault 426
- McLaren-Mercedes 295
- Ferrari 231
- Mercedes 98
- Renault 68
- Sauber-Renault 35
- Force India-Mercedes 32
- STR-Ferrari 22
- Williams-Cosworth 5
10. Lotus-Renault 0
SUMMARY
The Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps provided an awesome race. The pace was electric, and the some of the overtaking manoeuvres were breathtaking. There were a few new developments to the cars, a result of the small research and development window allowed during the 3 week summer break. In the end RBR-Renault powered to a dominant first and second position. The McLaren-Mercedes, Ferrari and Mercedes teams showed good pace, but not enough for victory.
Monza will provide more high-speed racing, and my opinion is that the top 3 teams will be very evenly matched throughout – with a few surprises from the likes of Mercedes and Force India-Mercedes thrown into the mix. Let’s hope that there isn’t chaos in the first chicane off the start/finish straight as there was in Turn 1 at Spa.
If you were looking for a prime example of a race that captures the glamour, excitement and thrill of racing that is the very essence of F1, look no further than Monza.
All that remains are 5 lights, and when the lights go out…
We are racing in Monza!
Written by Mark Batchelder, Road and Race’s F1 Connoisseur
I really wish there were more arctlies like this on the web.