The Italian stage is unique in itself: the route is the fastest on the calendar and has a fairly simple configuration. In fact, most of the circle is a acceleration, a long straight and sharp braking in front of the chickens, only one complex ligament at the beginning of the third sector.
However, this year the stage in Italy is exceptional not only by its specificity and atmosphere of Ferrari fans, but also by the intrigues of the championship. The Grand Prix of the Netherlands significantly divided the candidates into the title, and the rest of the teams and pilots were also unexpected. Now, for nine races by the end of the season, everyone will try to catch up with the lost and increase the advantage.
The conditions that will contribute to this, as well as the main intrigues and issues of the stage will be discussed in this material.
Schedule of the Grand Prix of Italy: The results will be added after the appropriate arrival is completed
Friday, September 5:
- Free practice 1: 14:30 – 15:30.
- Free practice 2: 18:00 – 19:00.
Saturday, September 6:
- Free practice 3: 13:30 – 14:30.
- Qualification: 17:00 – 18:00.
Sunday, September 7:
- Race: 16:00.
Features of the route: Length: 5793 m
Number of circles: 53
Two DRS zones:
- Before the 1st turn
- between 7th and 8th turn
Circle Record in Qualification: 1: 18,887 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2020)
Circle record in the race: 1: 21,046 (Rubens Barrikello, Ferrari, 2004)
Weather forecast
The weekend will start on the Monzi highway on Friday. The first two workouts will take place in dry and sunny conditions, the air temperature will range from 24 to 27 ° C. Saturday workout will also be held in warm weather, about 25 degrees.
A small wind is possible during qualification, but its impact on the session will be minimal.
The forecast for the day of the race on Sunday provides the warmest weather of the weekend – up to 29 ° C. This will increase the temperature of the route and can affect the wear and control of the tires throughout the race.
Strategy and tires on stage 
Pyrelli declared an almost softest set of tires at the Grand Prix of Italy. The syllables will be represented by the following: C3 – hard, C4 – Midium and C5 – software. The same kits with a similar characteristic were used last year.
After the first workouts, Pyrelli reported that the optimal tactic would be one sweat, although a two-stop strategy is also quite effective.
In the past stage, the weather and the race have complicated the choice of strategy, so most teams have decided to make two sweat-strata. Only Ferrari among the leaders maintained the original plan and saved the tires at one stop. This allowed Charles to the Lecler, thanks to a stable tempo, to win the race, while the Mclarene’s car lost markedly.
This time, it is likely that such a strategy will not work. In recent years, the car has been better stored with tires, and most teams will not risk two stops, trying to reach a race on two sets, unless there are safety machines or other circumstances that would make the plan adjust.
Pierre’s predicted strategy in 2024:
Examples of the last year’s strategy:
The main questions and intrigues of the Netherlands Grand Prix:
Will Norris be able to play?
Before the last stage, the gap between the leaders of the championship – Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – was only 9 points, and it seemed that there would be a dense struggle ahead. However, at the Grand Prix of the Netherlands, Norris had a pendant breakage, through which the pilot was forced to get out of the distance, while his partner won the race.
Thus, Oscar Pastri heads the pilots with the advantage of not 9, and 34 points is the largest break in the season.
To catch up with the Australian, Norris will have to win five races in a row, provided Piastri will finish the second. If the Oscar wins in Italy, the chances of Lando to fight for the title by the end of the season will become even more ghostly.
Will Ferrari be able to impose on the home route?
Last year, Skuderia sensually won the Italian Grand Prix, despite Mclarene’s apparent advantage.
This season, the shape of the team looks much less convincing, and the speed is manifested only on separate routes. The team does not fully understand the reason for such fluctuations.
However, at Italy’s Grand Prix, everyone in Skuderia hopes for the best result and are not ashamed to talk about it. The potential for this is, but the question is whether it will be possible to realize it before home fans. After all, the last Grand Prix of Emilia-Romanya on the Imola route was not as successful for the team as expected.
Will Hamilton be able to honor his mentor and a friend in Italy?
Without departing far from Ferrari’s topic, it is worth mentioning that Skuderia updated this stage with Librea, pilot suits and a collective shape in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first Championship of Nika Lauda.
The Austrian won the first title for Ferrari in 1975, interrupting a series of Skuderia failures. He later won another title in 1977, as well as McLaren in 1984. It is symbolic that he did it on the Monza highway – at the same date when this year the race will take place, September 7.
Niki Lauda also played a major role in the career of Sevenly Hamilton Seven times. It was he who persuaded the British to go to Mercedes, where Hamilton won six of his seven titles. Lauda was a friend and mentor Lewis and greatly helped the team on the path of success.
The three -time champion was not in 2019, after which it was repeatedly mentioned and honored. However, this stage will be truly special.
The problem is that Hamilton’s results are not very striking this year, and in addition, he received a fine in five positions after the Netherlands Grand Prix, which complicates the task even more. However, it is difficult to even imagine how important this race is for the British.
Will Williams be in the struggle for the podium?
Traditionally, the British team shows strong results on the Monzi -type high -speed trails, and the general form of the team only enhances optimism this year.
Alex Albon, this year’s team leader, has been finishing several times in the top 5, which is currently the best result in Williams, but he has not yet received the first joint podium. This time there is a chance, especially if there is something unpredictable among the leaders – and it is quite real.
The question is whether the speed highway will bring. The shape of the team in general fell a little compared to the start of the championship, through focus for preparation for the next season and the absence of significant updates. In addition, the car has become more uniform and steadily effective in different conditions. However, the team approaches Monza with a positive mood and is ready to use any opportunity.
Will beginners manage to express themselves?
Last year, Andrea Kimi Antonelli made his debut at the Italy Grand Prix, who held a practice in Mercedes. At the same time, a young Italian was signed. This is his home stage this year. During the first weekend, the team made errors with the palate, which was why the results were not too impressive. But now the disadvantages have been eliminated, and Kimi has gained experience and already has sprint-Pole and polyium in his career. The question is whether he will finally convert the speed as a result before home fans.
The next candidate should be noted Gabriel Bortoleto. The current formula-2 champion of last year spent one of the best performances in his career when he made his way from his last position after the crash and won the race. A rare achievement that few can boast of any series. In general, it consistently shows good results, especially in qualifications, and this year he has already received points on not the fastest way, which has improved significantly after the updates. The Brazilian clearly loves and knows how to perform in Monka A the car, like Williams, works well on straight lines.
It is not necessary not to mention Isaac Hadjar. Red Bull’s newcomer in the Reising Bulls team won the first podium in his career last week. Due to this, he set several records and significantly rose in the standings. Now he has a chance to prove that it was not a coincidence, but he is able to carry out another strong stage in the season.
Source: Sport.ua