30 August 2017 – Formula 1 travels straight from Spa-Francorchamps to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. GPUpdate.net previews the event and provides the key statistics.
Monza:
Built in 1922, Monza was the world’s third purpose-built track, after Brooklands and Indianapolis.
It is situated within the Royal Villa of Monza park, and has two active layouts, the 5.793km Grand Prix track and 2.405km junior course, alongside a disused 4.250km oval track.
Monza was included on the first F1 calendar back in 1950 and has hosted the Italian Grand Prix in all seasons bar 1980, when it underwent a refurbishment, and the race was held in San Marino.
Although Monza’s layout has changed over the years, it remains a fearsome high-speed venue, with the iconic Curva Grande, Curva di Lesmo, Variante Ascari and Parabolica sections.
“It’s a very unique place; incredibly special and holds a lot of history,” says Renault’s Nico Hülkenberg.
“In terms of the actual track, it’s a high-speed layout which means a low downforce configuration for the car, to favour top speed.
“Having such low downforce becomes uncomfortable sometimes as the car feels light and quite floaty, which can be a bit of a struggle.
“Monza features a lot of hard braking zones and boasts some legendary corner combinations such as the Lesmos and the Parabolica.
“You can really feel the history, which is something I enjoy.”
Form guide:
The Formula 1 title battle edged in Lewis Hamilton’s favour in Belgium as he resisted Sebastian Vettel during a tense duel, cutting the deficit to just seven points.
Hamilton’s triumph also enabled Mercedes to extend its advantage in the Constructors’ battle to 44 points.
However, Vettel was lifted by Ferrari’s pace at Spa-Francorchamps, as the SF70-H performed far better than expected, in light of its struggles at Silverstone.
Vettel also declared that there are no circuits remaining that Ferrari should fear, giving the team a boost ahead of its home event.
Additionally, no driver has won back-to-back races in 2017. Could it be Vettel’s turn?
Red Bull picked up a podium and a retirement in Belgium and it is unlikely to be in the hunt this weekend, having not taken a Monza podium since 2013, amid Renault’s deficiencies.
Force India holds a solid fourth in the standings, despite another civil war breaking out last weekend, and should be strong at the high-speed venue.
Just 11 points separates Williams in fifth from Renault in eighth, sandwiching Toro Rosso and Haas, with the Mercedes-powered team best-placed to edge clear this weekend.
McLaren-Honda struggled again at Spa and is braced for a dismal showing in Italy, amid strained relations, while Sauber, at the foot of the standings, was hopelessly off the pace.
Italian GP results:
Vettel and Hamilton both have three Italian Grand Prix wins to their name, with Monza the scene of Vettel’s maiden victory back in 2008, mastering the rain in a Toro Rosso.
Hamilton, though, has recent history on his side, having won the event in 2014 and 2015, and finished second to then team-mate Nico Rosberg last season.
Fernando Alonso is the only other active driver with more than one victory to his name at the track, winning in 2007 and 2010, the latter Ferrari’s most recent win on home soil.
Michael Schumacher still tops the all-time list with five victories.
Most successful Italian GP drivers:
5 Michael Schumacher – 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006
4 Nelson Piquet – 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987
3 Juan Manuel Fangio – 1953, 1954, 1955
Stirling Moss – 1956, 1957, 1959
Ronnie Peterson – 1973, 1974, 1976
Alain Prost – 1981, 1985, 1989
Rubens Barrichello – 2002, 2004, 2009
Sebastian Vettel – 2008, 2011, 2013
Lewis Hamilton – 2012, 2014, 2015
2 Alberto Ascari – 1951, 1952
Phil Hill – 1960, 1961
John Surtees – 1964, 1967
Jackie Stewart – 1965, 1969
Clay Regazzoni – 1970, 1975
Niki Lauda – 1978, 1984
Ayrton Senna – 1990, 1992
Damon Hill – 1993, 1994
Juan Pablo Montoya – 2001, 2005
Fernando Alonso – 2007, 2010
Factfile:
Venue: Monza
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 11
Laps: 53
Race date: September 3, 2017
Circuit opened: 1922
First Grand Prix: 1950
Lap record: 1:21.046 (Rubens Barrichello, 2004)
Circuit length: 5.793 km (3.599 mi)
Race distance: 306.720 km (190.586 mi)
2017 timetable (GMT +2):
Friday, September 1
Practice 1 10:00-11:30 local time
Practice 2 14:00-15:30 local time
Saturday, September 2
Practice 3 11:00-12:00 local time
Qualifying 14:00 local time
Sunday, September 3
Race 14:00 local time
Additional on-track events:
Formula 2
GP3 Series
Porsche Supercup
Driver steward: Emanuele Pirro
DRS zones:
Zone 1 – Curva del Serraglio
Zone 2 – Main straight
Pitlane speed limit:
80 km/h (49.7 mph) for the entire event
Tyre Choice: Super Soft / Soft / Medium
Fuel usage: 1.98kg per lap
Top speed: 370 km/h (224 mph)
Full throttle: 76 per cent of lap
Gear changes: 50 per lap
Weather forecast:
Friday – Thunderstorms, high 25°C / low 16°C
Saturday – Light rain, high 24°C / low 15°C
Sunday – Sunny, high 24°C / low 14°C
Next race:
Singapore Grand Prix
Source :http://feeds.gpupdate.net
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