Formula One Vault

PREVIEW – Italian Grand Prix

Round thirteen and the final round of the European season, sees Formula One head to the Autrodromo Nazionale Monza and the home of Ferrari. Built in just ninety days in 1922 the circuit in a royal park has held the race every year since 1949, with the exception of 1980 when the race was held at Imola.

Monza is one of the fastest circuits in the world, thanks to its long straights and high speed corners. The current overall layout dates back to 1957, when the oval was removed from the Grand Prix Circuit. But Organisers brought it back the following season, that prompted a boycott by  most teams and allowed Ferrari to lock out the podium.

Monza has been part of the DNA of Formula One from the very beginning and has been the traditional close to the European season before the long haul races in Asia and The Americas. There is only one team the defosi want to win and that is Ferrari. Monza has always given great racing and classic action.

This season Ferrari could have a chance if they have made a jump closer to Mercedes. But the feeling is Mercedes power and straight line speed will see them still hold the advantage going into the fly way races.

Facts and figures

Event timetable

What happened in 2016?

Nico Rosberg took advantage of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s poor start to take control of the race and to take victory. It was a very bad start for Hamilton who dropped down the field before recovering to finish second and close the championship up to two points going into the fly way races.

It was a strong home Grand Prix for Ferrari, as Sebastian Vettel used an aggressive two stop strategy to gain Ferrari’s first podium since June. Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth fastest ahead of the Williams of Valtteri Bottas following late moves in the race by Ricciardo. The Australian dived down the inside late at turn one to put Bottas in between himself and his team-mate Max Verstappen.

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2015 vs 2016 Race Data

A lap of Monza

Lewis Hamilton exits the Curva Parabolica goes to the outside before crossing the track to run down across the grid to the outside. Gets up to 350kph, before breaking 200m before Variante chicane, turns in hits the kerb before going straight on to hit the outside kerb before running to the inside. Opens up the car as he goes through the high-speed Curva Biassono or Grande.

Breaks under the bridge for Variante, hits kerb on entry and on the exit before running his Mercedes to the outside. He breaks going to the apex of the first Lesmo runs to the outside and along the kerb before breaking into the second Lesmo. Runs to the outside and along the kerb. Speeds along what is affectively a straight, the Curva del Serraglio.

Breaks just after the 150m board for the Variante Ascari, comes in from the outside hits the apex on entry and runs through the corner hitting the apex of nine and ten. He runs to the outside and builds his speed before crossing the track, breaking about 125m before Paraboilica hits the apex. Runs to the outside before crossing the track and the line with a 01:21.135.

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