The European season draws to an end this weekend with a visit to Monza for the ItalianGrand Prix on 14 September. The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has a proud racingheritage, having hosted more Formula One races than any other track and all but oneItalian Grand Prix since 1950.
Monza’s depth of history makes it a fitting venue for Williams to record its 500th GrandPrix start next Sunday. Williams Grand Prix Engineering was incorporated by FrankWilliams and Patrick Head in 1978, but it was not until the Argentine Grand Prix inJanuary 1979 that the new organisation fielded its first own-designed and built race car,the FW06 for Alan Jones. Monza will mark the team’s 500th race start in its thirtieth yearof racing, during which time the team has recorded 250,00km of competitive racing,scored 113 GP wins and won 16 World Championships - nine constructors’ titles andseven drivers’ titles.
Nico RosbergWe had a good test in Monza two weeks ago, both in terms of evaluating new parts anddefining set-up for the Grand Prix. I am looking forward to racing at the Autodromo, notonly because it is the quickest circuit on the calendar, but also because it has so muchhistory. Monza is really fun to drive because of the super fast start-finish straight, thetight braking events at the end of the lap and also the kerbs which you have to ride asmuch as you can. The faster corners are quite difficult to drive because we run suchlittle downforce at Monza, but that doesn’t diminish the experience of driving at one ofthe best circuits we visit! To top the weekend off, the atmosphere, the people and thefood in Italy are all great, so I’m really looking forward to the weekend!
Kazuki NakajimaI tested in Monza just before the race in Spa, but prior that, it was exactly a year since Ihad driven on the circuit. So the test was quite busy to me, I had to get used to the trackas much as the car, because in the low downforce specification, it has very differentcharacteristics. Anyway, the test reminded that Monza is very exciting, very fast and avery technical track. The tricky bit is the kerbing, you have to be brave and take a lot ofkerb, but while this makes the track quite distinctive, I really feel Monza is a circuit thatsuits me.
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1Monza has the highest top speeds of all the circuits we visit, with the cars topping350kph on the main straight every lap. With only four actual corners and two chicanes,high power, low drag and kerb riding ability are all key to success on the Italian circuit.Kerb riding is a fundamental set-up requirement at Monza because the speed the carcomes off the kerbs heavily influences the speed all the way down the following straight.The aerodynamic package for this track is always unique, and this year is no exception.The FW30 will have a modified bodywork and specially developed front and rear wings.Everything has been thoroughly validated at the Monza test a fortnight ago.Race strategy will be one or two stop for all teams. The pit lane loss is quite high, simplybecause while a car is going slowly in the pitlane, a competitor out on track at racingspeed is traveling faster in relative terms than might be the case at other tracks.Bridgestone will take the medium and hard tyre compounds as the tyre temperatures asthe car comes off the high speed Parabolica can be extreme.
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, ItalyMonza marks a real return to power track territory. The 5.793km circuit in the Old RoyalPark is one of the few remaining high speed tracks on the calendar and so requires thelowest downforce arrangement seen all year. Monza’s chicanes and four key corners,however, also demand a balancing aerodynamic efficiency to ensure a smooth transitionover the harsh kerbs.
A traditional power track, engines are put through their paces over the weekend as theyconsistently reach speeds of 340kph and endure a full throttle ratio of 73% per lap. Withsuch high top speeds, and an average lap speed of 250kph, extensive loads are exertedon the brakes during each braking event. Turn one, for example, sees drivers brake sohard into the corner, they experience 5g. Accordingly, brake durability is crucial while acar’s stability under braking is also important at Monza where the track surface isnotoriously bumpy. With an approximate 25 second penalty for each pit-stop, the ItalianGrand Prix is invariably a one or perhaps two stop race. With several overtakingopportunities over the lap, the final European round will no doubt be an engaging one.
