2007 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
The Italian Grand Prix sees the start of an intensive six
week culmination of the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship,
with four races in the space of a month prior to the finale
in Brazil on Sunday 21st October. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
arrives at the historic Monza circuit looking to consolidate
its lead in the Constructors’ battle, which currently
sits at 148 ahead of Ferrari. Team-mates Lewis Hamilton and
Fernando Alonso continue to head the Drivers’ table
with 84 and 79 points respectively.
FAST FACTS
How long has Formula 1 been racing at Monza?
The history of Italy's Grand Prix began in 1921 on the 17.3
kilometre circuit in Montichiari near Brescia. After 30 laps
and 519 kilometres, the Frenchman Jules Goux won driving a
Ballot. In January 1922, the decision was made to build a
permanent race track in the King's Park, Monza. Work started
on 15th May and was completed in 110 days. The track was officially
opened on 3rd September, and one week later the Italian Grand
Prix took place. The Italian Grand Prix has been on the calendar
since the start of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1950,
the only other event to which this applies is the British
Grand Prix. The Italian Grand Prix has been held more often
on one circuit than any other race, with Monza playing host
56 out of 57 times. The exception was in 1980, when the race
took place at Imola.
What pre-race work did the test team complete in
Monza this week?
Due to the unique high speed and heavy braking nature of the
Monza track, the usual ban on testing at a circuit in the
two weeks prior to the race is lifted. This allowed the Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes test team to work on the Italy-specific aerodynamic
package, which sees the lowest downforce set-up of year and
brake material selection. The heavy braking zones also have
an effect on tyre durability due to the high end of straight
speeds that are reached, of over 340km/h. The team worked
through various programmes with Bridgestone during the test,
including confirmation of camber and inflation limits to handle
the characteristics of the track.
How demanding for the engine is the high speed circuit
of Monza?
Monza is the fastest circuit on the calendar, with about 80
percent of each lap being run under full throttle - the highest
proportion of all Formula 1 racetracks. Particularly demanding
are the long full throttle sections. For example the start-finish
straight requires more than 16 seconds of consecutive full
throttle. On each lap, the cars ran under full throttle in
four sections, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h. Throughout
the season the engine has been further developed within this
year’s technical regulations. Continuous improvements
to the ancillaries outside, for example the airbox, the fuel
injection and intake systems, the water and oil pumps as well
as the developments of fuels and lubricants have made the
Mercedes-Benz engine one of the most powerful in the field.
How important is the contribution of Mobil 1 lubricants
to the engine performance at Monza?
Following the restrictions of the revised engine rules in
Formula 1, the importance of fuels and lubricants has increased
further. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Technology Partner ExxonMobil
is continually developing competitive lubricants for the Mercedes-Benz
engine, helping not only to reduce friction and stress, but
increase the engine’s performance as well as contributing
towards effective engine cooling. This is particularly important
on a high-speed circuit such as Monza where the importance
of a powerful and reliable engine is second to none.
TEAM QUOTES
Fernando Alonso
"The Monza track is not like any other we race on during
the season, it is all about high speeds. The cars always feel
so different, very light and not always under control to be
honest! That is because of the low downforce we use to get
the high speeds. The wings are the thinnest we run and there
will be a lot of Monza specific parts on the car. With this
small amount of downforce, you then have to adapt areas such
as braking stability and mechanical balance to get good grip
in the corners, because the lack of downforce means the car
has very little. We spent time testing these on the track
this week, and we had some good feedback so I feel positive
going into the race. It is a challenge, but it is a special
circuit and it is a great feeling to race here. Last year
did not give me any good memories, but it is a track that
I would really like to win at so hopefully we can make that
happen in 2007. The track is very famous for the Parabolica
corner, alongside all the straights. It is flat out, and you
really have to be on the edge and push the car hard, which
is a real feeling of risk because of the light handling of
the car. To get a quick lap time here, you have to be strong
through Parabolica as it takes you back onto the longest straight
of them all over the start / finish line."
Lewis Hamilton
"Monza is a very historic circuit, so it is quite special
when you go there for any driver. It is a great track, you
have the long, long straights and some great high speed corners.
I had my first race there last year in GP2 and it was a very
memorable weekend because it was where I won the Championship.
I also had an awesome battle with Giorgio Pantano for the
whole of the Sunday race, which was one of the most enjoyable
for me all year. Hopefully this year I will have just as good
a race and great memories for the future. I remember it is
not an easy track to get a good set-up at, so the test this
week was very useful. It is really tough on the cars, and
you have to use the kerbs a lot to get quick lap times. Because
of this we have a softer suspension package to make the car
ride over them better so we can use them more and in a bid
to avoid any damage. Slowing the cars down with the incredibly
low downforce is not easy, and the balance under braking is
key. This was another area we worked on in the test."
Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula 1, Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes
"Whilst we are arriving in Monza leading both Championships,
we are more than aware they are both still very open. There
are a lot of points to be won over the next six weeks and
the determination within Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to take
as many as possible is massive. Monza is very individual in
terms of characteristics and with this in mind, the test this
week has enabled the successful proving process of a number
of key components and we are feeling cautiously optimistic
going into this race."
Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"With average lap speeds of around 250 km/h and a top
speed of approximately 340 km/h at the end of the start-and-finish
straight, Monza is the Formula 1 circuit on the calendar on
which the highest speeds are attained. At around 80 percent,
Monza also has the highest full-throttle proportion per lap
of all Formula 1 racetracks; however, the following race will
challenge the engines even more. As scheduled, we will start
in Monza with a new engine in both cars, which, according
to the rules, is designed to be used in Spa as well. The combination
of these two circuits is the highest expected strain for an
engine so far since the new V8 engine generation has been
introduced last year. Our tests in Monza this week have been
very positive; we have been fast, consistent and reliable."
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX INFORMATION
Circuit length 5.793km / 3.600 miles
Race distance 306.720km / 190.596 miles
Laps 53
Number of corners 8
Inaugural Grand Prix 1950
VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES STATISTICS
Fernando Lewis Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Race Starts 100 12 626
Race Wins 18 3 154
Pole Positions 16 4 130
Points 460 80 3317.5
Podiums 45 10 410
Fastest Laps 10 1 133
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