Italian Grand Prix Preview

The 2013 Formula 1 season has been quite remarkable, at pretty much every race there has been a major talking point. Monza is no different with the driver market dominating conversations up and down the paddock. Here in Italy of course Ferrari are the main focus, Kimi Raikkonen is rumoured to be joining the Scuderia once again, but the team say they want to retain Massa in 2014. I'm not expecting an announcement from Ferrari this weekend, especially when President Luca Di Montezemolo will be present as he always is in Monza.

So let's dive into this magical and historic race circuit.

The Facts:
Lap: 5.793 km
Race Laps: 53
Lap Record: 1:21.046
R Barrichello (2004)
2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton
Race Date: 08.09.2013
Safety Car – Unlikely
Weather – Hot & Sunny
Tyre Allocation – Medium & Hard

DRS Zones: Pit-straight and between turns 7 and 8.

Monza is a favourite circuit for many people, It's such a historical place and very theatrical. The beautiful parkland surrounding the circuit with the snow covered Alps in the distance provide a tremendous backdrop to this spectacular circuit. It's extremely fast with a top speed nudging 200mph. It provides a unique challenge for the drivers. Jenson Button told the Formula 1 website, “I've always loved Monza. I really enjoy circuits that have a bit of history to them, and Monza has that in abundance – it's one of the greatest tracks on the calendar”. But it's not just the high speed and history that makes it so special, the Italian fans are the best in world. Their passion for Formula 1 and particularly Ferrari is wonderful to see. They generate a special atmosphere that is only felt in a handful of Grand Prix races I believe, but we talk about a unique challenge, what makes it challenging?

The Lap
Long straights are easy to drive, but doing 200mph is something quite spectacular. Hitting the brakes 100 metres before turn 1, the Variante Del Rettifilo chicane inflicts huge G forces, then accelerating again up to around 180mph before heavy breaking into Della Roggia, this is a tough lap already. A couple of heavy braking zones coupled with monstrous speed and the G force through the Curva Grande. The Two Lesmo corners are like threading the eye of a needle at over 100mph, before going under the old banking and blasting into the Ascari Chicane, this is my favourite part of the track, it's fast and difficult, a well balanced car and a lot of confidence and skill is what it takes to get this corner right. Then we are back up to speed towards the final corner, the Parabolica. A never ending right hand corner that gets faster and faster before the start finish line comes into sight once again. Monza is a great circuit, it's a favourite of mine personally and of many others.

Pre-Race Pointers
There are a couple of major points to concentrate on this weekend, Red Bull are likely to dominate the headlines. Team boss Christian Horner said in the past that Red Bull will announce the 2014 driver line up before the end of the European Season. Monza is the last of the European races so an announcement is expected on Thursday. Daniel Ricciardo is expected to be the man replacing Mark Webber despite both him and the team saying, his hips are too wide. He's had seat fittings and has visited the teams HQ in Milton Keynes a number of times recently.

Kimi Raikkonen is rumoured to be joining Ferrari next season however I'm still not convinced. The team have said they want to keep Felipe Massa for next season. Don't expect any announcement from Ferrari this weekend, as it's the teams home race they need to focus on performance. They have been struggling of late and with Ferrari President Luca Di Montezemolo visiting as always, they must be on top form. However Fernando Alonso fired up the rumours once again this week by saying “Important News” imminent. It turned out he has saved the Euskaltel-Euskadi Spanish cycling team in a deal worth 6 million Euros.

FIA President Jean Todt will not stand alone in the FIA Presidential election which begins this month. Long serving director general David Ward has announced in a statement he will stand in the election. In his statement he said, “After much careful thought I have decided to stand, the election period begins in September and it will be necessary for me to approach FIA members to secure nominations”. Mr Ward will be supported by former FIA president Max Mosley, as the two worked closely in the past.

It's going to be a fascinating Formula 1 weekend on and off the track. Follow the whole weekend with our Live F1 feature right here at Driving For Pleasure.

This is the place to be for Formula 1 fans in 2013.
Italian GP Times (UK Viewers)
Friday
Practice 1 09:00
Practice 2 13:00

Saturday
Practice 3 10:00
Qualifying 13:00

Sunday
Race 13:00

For all the latest Formula 1 news, follow me on Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1. I'll be commentating on all the action Live and reporting right here at Driving For Pleasure.

Thanks again to @Bennett_Kevin for his excellent photos www.kevinbennettphotography.co.uk