These days there aren’t many truly classic racing circuits which still feature prominently. However, as the second half of the 2013 Formula 1 season is upon us the paddock travels to one of the sites that is definitively classic F1 – Monza.

The design of the 5.793 km circuit comprises primarily of lengthy stretches of asphalt interrupted by a couple of chicanes and the famous Parabolica. This layout demands the lowest downforce set-up of any circuit on the calendar, a supple car over the kerbs and a powerful engine.

What is the Italian Grand Prix if there is no mention of Ferrari’s fanatical supporters the Tifosi? The passionately devoted faithful will stream into the circuit by the crack of dawn to cheer and glimpse their heroes as they flash past the jam-packed grandstands in their scarlet Ferrari’s.

It’s more than just fanatical support that will be needed for victory however. Several teams are expected to roll out their final big upgrade packages this weekend in a bid to better their positions relative to the frontrunners; or become frontrunners themselves.

The Lotus F1 team needs improvement and has earmarked this weekend as the acid test for the remainder of their season. The team’s number one driver and most likely championship contender Kimi Raikkonen is 58 points adrift of leader Sebastian Vettel. Any result other than a top three finish this weekend will most likely put an end to the Finn’s F1 championship aspirations. Lotus will be unveiling a long wheelbase car at Monza which is seen as their last role of the dice for the year before turning their attention to the 2014 season.

Fernando Alonso brings his Ferrari home under a bit of cloud. A cloud of speculation at just how much the Spaniard’s loyalty has been stretched by an under performing scarlet Ferrari and rumours about his future with the Maranello based team. Nevertheless, he will be focused completely on the task of beating Red Bull Racing this weekend; and it may not be impossible. It was here where Alonso memorably boosted his F1 championship run with an ultra-passionate victory in 2010. The competition though will be stiff and it will more than likely come from the unrelenting Red Bull team and Sebastian Vettel.

But Red Bull will face their own set of challenges this weekend. Throughout the very successful run that Red Bull has put together over the last three years the compromise on top end speed has repeatedly been made in favour of a better overall aerodynamic package. Is it reasonable then that the champion team should expect the top step of the podium despite neither Vettel nor Mark Webber hardly ever featuring prominently on the speed trap standings?

The championship leader’s fortunes have been mixed at the celebrated Italian circuit. In 2008 Vettel won his first F1 race in wet conditions for Toro Rosso but it has never been a Red Bull stronghold. Therefore, if the triple world champion should take the 25 points this weekend it should also been considered a giant step towards a fourth consecutive F1 world title.

Victory isn’t going to be a foregone conclusion for Vettel this weekend. He is as a determined driver as has ever lined up on a F1 grid but he has to want it more than his Ferrari armed adversary Fernando Alonso and that won’t be easy.

Photo credits: All photos under Wikimedia Commons license.