The circuit is notable for the fact that drivers are on full throttle for a higher-than-average percentage of the lap due to its long straights and is usually the scenario in which the open-wheeled F1 cars show the raw speed they are capable of (372 km/h (231 mph)) during the V10 formula). It is mostly a flat circuit but has a notable, but gradual, gradient from the second Lesmos to the Variante Ascari. Due to the low aerodynamic profile needed, the grip is very low, understeer and the resulting slide can hurt overall speed and are more serious issues than at other circuits, however, the opposite effect, oversteer, is also present in the second sector, requiring the use of a very distinctive opposite lock technique. Since power is the key for speed on the straights, only competitors with enough power at their disposal are able to challenge for the top places.
The circuit is also known to be the spiritual home of the Scuderia Ferrari and their passionate supporters, the Tifosi.
The annual speedfest at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, just outside Milan in northern Italy, marks the conclusion of the European season before the championship embarks on a quartet of flyaway races. As one of the most historic events on the calendar, the Italian Grand Prix holds a special place in the hearts of the F1 fraternity. But it’s not just the history that makes Monza so unique: it’s the unwavering passion of the Italian fans, the one-off high speed, low downforce configuration and the intimate, gossip-filled atmosphere of the paddock before it loses the comfort of its motorhomes.
Tonio’s View
The track layout might look easy but it’s a technical circuit. The key to going fast is being quick out of the corners down the straights and not rolling into the chicanes. If you get the exits right and have improved speed into the straights you gain a fair bit of lap time.The first corner is one of the hardest as you brake down from 340kph 100m from the entrance. It’s very tight and with less downforce this year we will see more mistakes and use of the exit road. Then you accelerate into Curva Grande. You have to jump the kerbs into four and five, then go into the Lesmos. The second Lesmo is great as you are going fast through a tight corner with low downforce. Out of Lesmo 2 you need to have good acceleration down the straight into the Variante Ascari. This corner is a faster chicane and the car is drifting so to gain time you cut over the kerbs and nail it into the next straight and the entrance to the Parabolica, which is a big challenge. Everyone loves racing at Monza with its history and the great atmosphere. I think it’s one of the greatest races - the only place where people jump onto the circuit, passionate about the cars and running on the track. It’s really unbelievable.
