#ItalianGP2014 The fastest Grand Prix of the year could throw up some issues on tyre heat and fuel management, but not going off at Parabolica Brakes have been a big issue this year, with some drivers (i.e Williams) glazing them in the wet at Spa and Lewis Hamiltons exploding in Hockenheim Qualifying. Canada is a big braking circuit but Monza is the brute. It has brutal deceleration points, says Sebastian Vettel, and is especially tough on the brakes and the tyres are also heavily loaded, especially in the fast corners such as the Curva Grande and Parabolica. It is extremely difficult in Monza to get a perfect lap because it is almost impossible to hit every curve and every chicane in the way you want. Not only is he a great driver, a great racer and a great guy, Daniel Ricciardo gives you a great insight as to what its like to drive around Monza. The biggest challenges at Monza nowadays are the braking zones. The first chicane is the ultimate example: youre coming down to that first chicane at the highest speed an F1 car will reach all year and youre braking into one of the tightest corners youll take all year. Added to that youre doing this with the least amount of downforce youll have all year - which means the car tends to slide around quite a bit as well as taking longer to stop. You cant afford to lock a brake but equally you cant lose time by being too eager on the pedal. It demands that you are really focused all of the time. Im not really that keen on super-long straights; I find them a little dull compared to hammering through a series of demanding corners but Monza is the exception to that. Theres something about flashing through those trees in front of that massive crowd that definitely gets the pulse all the way up! Also the crowd in Monza is wild. Obviously its full-on Ferrari but in the past theyve always been very generous to me. Id love to get the opportunity to stand on that brilliant podium and find out! Jenson Button thinks that the addition of hybrid systems will make the cars fastest they have been all year and that learning where to get the best boost from the hybrid systems will be key: Its such a fast circuit that it really requires a different driving approach to any other circuit on the calendar. Youre running such low levels of downforce that braking and accelerating are made much trickier - under heavy braking, the car is constantly trying to break away from you; equally, when youre trying to get the throttle down, the car is unsettled, so the rear is squirming around. Its a unique challenge. And, with ERS and DRS, I think we could have a very special Monza race. Its the Scuderias home race, but it will be a struggle for Fernando Alonso to emulate former years and climb onto the podium. The race will demand a high fuel use and the Ferrari engine has struggled under those conditions this year. Ferrari boss Luca Montezemolo normally makes an appearance on Saturday to wave to the tifosi. This year, despite Ferraris poor (for them) form, he might turn up to bend Bernies ear... ...because there could be talk about moving the Italian GP from Monza this weekend. It may be the Cathedral of Motorsport but Bernie Ecclestone has let it be known that he wants a much bigger race hosting fee than the race organisers are currently offering and that the 2016 race might be the last. Thats not to say we wont have an Italian GP. Ferrari boss Luca Montezemolo is keen to see the race held at the Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit. There is bound to be ongoing arguments about the fearsome 180 degree corner, Parabolica, which has been given a tarmac apron for the first time. Many A drivers practice session has ended in the gravel by going a little too quick, a little too early. Its Pirellis home race which their motorsport boss Paul Hembery is looking forward to: Our home race also happens to be one of the most demanding races of the year for the tyres, due to the rapid layout of the circuit. The faster a circuit is, generally the more stressful it is for the tyres because of the heat build-up. The cars run a very low downforce set-up for Monza to maximise their top speed on the straights. This has a distinct effect on the tyres, as less downforce means that the cars tend to slide more and run a greater risk of wheels locking up in the braking areas, which are a key element of Monza. Nico Rosberg arrives at Monza having been made to swallow a six-figure deduction from his wages ( dont worry, he wont starve) and make a public apology. Though you can imagine Lewis Hamilton would sooner he keep the money and the apology and simply hand the 18-points back. That cant happen. The karting championships used to race in Italy quite often and its also where I met Nico Lewis said in his pre-race briefing. So thats where our rivalry really began. Given the likelihood that both Mercedes cars will be on the front row in Monza. The tight Turn 1 should be very interesting... It will be warm at Monza this weekend with the chance of a shower to interrupt FP1 on Friday morning, but FP2 should be dry and 25C. On Saturday theres the chance of some early morning rain after which it becomes sunny and warm, up to 26C for Qualifying. On Sunday it should be sunny and 25C for the race with rain arriving late afternoon. Paddock gossip will revolve around... reaction to the Mercedes Spa resolution... Ross Brawns rumoured approach by Ferrari ... McLaren openly admitting they want either Vettel or Alonso... Honda confirming they will readily supply another team in 2016... Jenson Buttons future... the 2017 Italian GP... Parabolica... the fast-approaching Russian GP.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 22:26:31 +0000
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