Feature: Italian Grand Prix: Monza 2010
This weekend, the historic circuit Monza will feature again in the Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander d'Italia. A distinctive icon of the F1 circuit, this year’s race promises to set the stage for yet another epic drama, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso all striving to rack up the points for the title challenge.
History
The Autodromo di Monza bears a proud legacy, having hosted Grands Prix since 1922. Just north of one of the world’s most famous cultural centres, Milan, the Monza circuit was designed by architect Alfredo Rosselli as a celebration of the Milan Auto Club’s quarter-century anniversary. Set in the lush park of Vialle Reale, the track has been the battleground for victorious greats such as Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Rubens Barrichello.
The Technical Aspects
The counter-clockwise Monza circuit consists of three sections, and is one of the few remaining old-fashioned tracks on the F1 calendar. Poetic in its nature, the shoe-shaped course bears resonant names such as the Curva Parabolica and the Variante Ascari. The track is 5.793km in length and covers a race distance of 306.720 km in 53 laps. The fastest lap time recorded thus far is 1 minute, 21.046 seconds by Rubens Barrichello in 2004. Consisting of two straights and three chicanes, the track has been dubbed an “ultimate power circuit,” in which teams reduce wing weight to accumulate top speeds. Beginning with the writhing, twisting Variante del Rettifilo, the track is abundant with speed traps and perilous turns. The first chicane is ideal for passing, but also poses dangers of being tripped on the kerb. Once the drivers slow down, they encounter the second chicane (Variante della Roggia) and the tight Lesmos, which gears up the cars for the Variante Ascari and then onto the last stretch for the famous Curva Parabolica.
The Contenders
Particularly eager to gain points this weekend will be champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button of McLaren, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, who races his first Monza in the Italian car. Team engineers and drivers alike are analyzing the track intensely, customizing their vehicles and devising strategies for the race.
In a feature for formula1.com, Alonso, who currently stands in fifth place of the Driver’s Championship, observes, “From a technical point of view, Monza is a very different race to all the others: its long straights require a very low level of downforce and, as a consequence, unique aerodynamic elements.”
For Williams’ driver Rubens Barrichello, who has enjoyed a few victories at the Italian track as well being its current record holder, a return to one of his favourite racing playgrounds is a special occasion for him. “Three wins and two podiums wins at the Autodromo Nazionale make it statistically my best rack, but never mind the numbers, it is a circuit I love and I always travel to Italy with affection and excitement,” says Barrichello, who is now ranked eleventh in championship standings. “My positive record at the track and the work we have done to prepare for both the downforce and kerb requirements means that I am full of optimism.”
Red-Bull’s title contender Mark Webber, knocked into second place by Lewis Hamilton at Spa, will be looking to redeem his title this weekend by a win at Monza. Though acknowledging the difficult dynamics of the track and the threats posed by other drivers, Webber remains positive. Team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who can’t seem to catch a win despite his row of pole positions this season, agrees. “The key factors are low drag and good braking stability. I think it won’t be easy for us, due to the long straights, but I’m sure we will do our best and keep fighting until the end.”
While the Red-Bulls are slightly apprehensive, and the Ferraris and McLarens hopeful, all drivers seem to agree on one thing – the sheer magic and mystery of a circuit steeped in historic grandeur. “This track is a classic,” praises Pedro de la Rosa of BMW Sauber. “It has a lot of personality and is different to any other we race on. This is what I like a lot about Monza, because with all the modern circuits nowadays it is exceptional to find one that is unique.”
The Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander d'Italia 2010 takes place from 10-12 September.
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