It’s all about speed as Formula 1 travels to Monza this weekend for the 67th Italian Grand Prix hosted by the venue. Monza is known for its long straights that produce high top speeds and a crowd with so much passion for their home team, Ferrari, that they have their own name: the Tifosi.
McLaren Honda are expecting a tough weekend as their power deficit will be highlighted at a high-speed, high-power circuit like Monza. Honda is debating whether to bring a new spec. engine for Fernando Alonso in hopes of adding some power to their package and will make the decision before the first free practice session. This comes on the back of Alonso allegedly parking a healthy car out of frustration at Spa. Having already taken penalties for upgrades in Spa, Stoffel Vandoorne will hope for a trouble-free weekend. Considering the results in Belgium, points may be a big ask at Monza.
Elsewhere on the grid, we can expect a hard-fought podium battle between Mercedes and Ferrari with the latter hungry to prove to the home crowd that it has enough speed to be on top. We also can’t completely discount Red Bull after they took their package to a podium finish at Spa which many expected to be more of a challenge for them. From there, the ever-tough-to-predict midfield battle shapes up with Force India likely to be battling Haas who have shown some high top speeds throughout the season. Renault and Toro Rosso are likely to be duking it out while its anyone’s guess where Williams will be after a tremendously disappointing showing at Spa. Expect Sauber to occupy their usual places at the back of the grid.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1: Friday September 1st, 4:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2: Friday September 1st, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3: Saturday September 2nd, 5:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday September 2nd, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race: Sunday September 3rd, 7:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.793km (3.6 miles)
Race laps: 53
Race distance: 306.72km (190.587 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’21.046 (257.321 kph) by Rubens Barrichello, 2004
Fastest lap: 1’19.525 (262.242 kph) by Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004
Maximum speed: 337kph (209.402 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Start/finish straight and straight to Ascari
Distance from grid to turn one: 380m
Car performance
Full throttle: 76%
Longest flat-out section: 1520m
Downforce level: Low
Gear changes per lap: 46
Fuel use per lap: 1.9kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.057s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 24.079s by Mercedes (see full list)
2016 prime tyre(s): Medium & Soft (2015: Medium)
2016 option tyre: Supersoft (2015: Soft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2016 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS
Stats
Pole position: Lewis Hamilton, 1:21.135
Race laps: 53
Fast race lap: Fernando Alonso, 1:25.340
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Sebastian VettelScuderia Ferrari, 220
2. Lewis HamiltonMercedes
AMG
Petronas, 213
3. Valtteri BottasMercedes
AMG
Petronas, 179
4. Daniel RicciardoRed Bull Racing, 132
5. Kimi RaikkonenScuderia Ferrari, 128
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 392
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 348
3. Red Bull Racing, 199
4. Sahara Force India, 103
5. Williams Martini Racing, 45
6. Scuderia Toro Rosso, 40
7. Haas F1 Team, 35
8. Renault Sport, F1 34
9. McLaren-Honda, 11
10. Sauber, 5
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