Tisková informace - WilliamsF1 (EN)
Miroslav Sanytrák | 5.9.07 | Aktuality
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
3rd SEPTEMBER 2007
After Istanbul’s contemporary Otodrom, Formula One turns full circle this weekend to visit one of the more traditional tracks on the calendar, Monza. Nestled in Italy’s Lombardy region just half an hour from fashion capital, Milan, the Autodromo boasts an enviable racing heritage having hosted more F1 races than any other race track and all but one Italian Grand Prix since the sport’s inception in 1950. Over its 30 years, Williams has won one in five Italian Grand Prix, set one in three fastest laps and still holds the record for the fastest ever average lap speed on Monza’s hallowed asphalt with Montoya’s 2004 qualifying lap. Sunday’s race, round 13 of the Championship and GP number 57 for Monza, is the penultimate of the European season and with just five rounds left, the team’s ambition will be to bag as many points as possible in order to remain ahead of its keenest rivals in the Constructors’ Championship.
Alex Wurz
We have Monza coming up this weekend, which is always a special race because of the
Tifosi. I also enjoy the Italian lifestyle, so it’s nice to spend a few days there. The circuit
is the last remaining high speed track on the calendar and I really like driving it. It always
takes a while to get used to it but once you’ve adapted your driving style and tuned your
brain into it, it’s challenging, but it’s great. I usually have good races at Monza, so I hope
that continues for the coming race weekend. I want to chase a few more points to keep
ahead of my team mate and so the team can move comfortably ahead of Red Bull and
Toyota.
Nico Rosberg
I like racing at Monza. I have good memories there, especially from my GP2 race when I had a very good weekend, finishing in second twice and setting the fastest lap. The
circuit itself is unique, has a great deal of history and it’s fun to drive. The whole lap is a great experience because every corner is different and interesting in its own way. The
second chicane is fun because you have to throw the car over the kerbs, hold onto as
much speed as you can and brake as late as possible, unlike at the two Lesmos where
you need to brake a bit earlier. The Ascari corner and the Parabolica are also interesting
for the drivers. The atmosphere at the Autodromo is brilliant thanks to the Tifosi. Italy
has a lot of nice places to visit, it has fantastic food and I really like the Italian attitude to
life, which is probably why most of my friends are Italian!
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1
Monza is steeped in motor racing history. It’s still possible to walk through the parkland
which surrounds the circuit and find the old concrete banked corners where they used to
race Grand Prix cars. The circuit is dominated by long straights and as such the top
speeds are the highest that we see all year in Formula One – around 350kph. Set-up
needs to be on the softer side and has to tend towards low drag so that the car rides
well over the large kerbs. We spent some time at the test in Monza working through
different set-up options that we can use for the Grand Prix.
As is normal for Monza, we will run a different front wing, rear wing and
bodywork package to enable the car to cope with the high top speeds. The
teams will probably opt for either one or two stop pit stop strategies this
weekend. We are expecting fairly neutral weather, with temperatures in the
mid 20s and no repeat of the massive thunderstorms that nearly washed away
the test!
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
A step away from previous rounds, Monza marks a return to power track
territory. The 5.793km circuit in the Old Royal Park is the last remaining high
speed track on the calendar and so requires the lowest downforce
arrangement seen all year. Monza’s chicanes and four key corners, however,
also demand a balancing aerodynamic efficiency to ensure a smooth transition
over the harsh kerbs. A traditional power track, engines are put through their
paces over the weekend as they consistently reach speeds of 350km/h and
endure a full throttle ratio of 76% per lap. With such high top speeds, and an
average lap speed of 250km/h, extensive loads are exerted on the brakes
during each braking event. Turn one, for example, sees drivers brake so hard
into the corner, they experience 5g. Accordingly, brake durability is crucial
while a car’s stability under braking is also important at Monza where the track
surface is notoriously bumpy. With an approximate 25 second penalty for each
pitstop, the Italian Grand Prix is invariably a one stop race. With several
overtaking opportunities over the lap, the penultimate European round will no
doubt be an engaging one.
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