After a few short days the Formula 1 circus moves 800km South for the 2018 edition of the Italian Grand Prix.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza has played host to the Italian Grand Prix 78 time over years and on a few variations of the track layout. The Grand Prix configuration has been used since 2000 with Rubens Barrichello the current lap record holder since 2004. We’ve seen many lap records and track records take a tumble this year and we could see one more added to the list after this weekend.
Advantage Ferrari?
Ferrari coming into the weekend off a strong performance at the Belgian Grand Prix. Not so much in qualifying in the mixed conditions, but it was the race where the red car of Sebastian Vettel took a commanding victory from lights out to chequered flag. Hamilton alluded to “tricks” that Ferrari may have employed to gain a more speed on the straights. In the end Mercedes were not quick enough on the day to mount any sort of challenge to Ferrari. The Scuderia will be looking for their first win on home soil since Fernando Alonso in 2010.
The Silver Arrows on the other hand, while playing the underdog, are the ones leading both the drivers and constructors championship. Hamilton comes into the Italian Grand Prix weekend 17 points ahead of championship rival Sebastian Vettel. The next few races do not look Mercedes friendly, but as we’ve seen this season, things can change in an instant and Hamilton has won races he ought not to. No weekend is a foregone conclusion until the chequered flag drops on Sunday afternoon.
Elsewhere on the grid, Force India 2.0 will want to continue their strong start to their campaign. Locking out the 2nd row in qualifying last week was a dream start for the team and in the race they finished 5th and 6th. The Monza layout does suit their car somewhat and they should be the best of the rest.
It will be a case of damage control for Red Bull this weekend. A track with long straights like Monza is the achilles heel for the team from Milton Keynes and with the Renault power unit down on power compared to the Mercedes and Ferrari they might come under fire from Haas who have been showing some strong form before the summer break. We already know that Daniel Ricciardo is taking some pain in the form of some PU element changes which will push him to the back of the grid.
What does Pirelli say?
Pirelli have nominated the same tyre compounds for the Italian Grand Prix as they have last year. The white marked medium compound, yellow marked soft compound and the red marked super soft compound. Although this may be the same as years gone by, the compounds are a step softer than last year.
A one-stop strategy is usually the way to go at Monza with degradation being low. We could see a super soft start with a change to the medium compound or a soft compound race start with a switch to the mediums.
There’s always something special about the Italian Grand Prix. From the passionate fans to the wildly fanatical Tifosi who live and breath Ferrari, to the one of a kind podium celebrations. It’s a spectacle that should be on the bucket list for every F1 fan. It will be a huge party if Ferrari were to be victorious or Mercedes could ruin the party and dole out another drubbing of the home team in front of the home fans. We’ll know on Sunday.
