Official Round 13 - Italian Grand Prix

frostie · 8 Sep 2011, 13:45 (Ref:2952719)

I'm probably not going to get a preview done for Monza, I'm pretty busy this week.

Main points as far as I'm concerned are that McLaren and Ferrari will start as favourites but Red Bull showed at Spa that they can win on low downforce circuits. I cant see them winning this weekend but they will be close to the front as per usual, this could however be the race where their pole position run ends!

Mercedes looked very strong in a straight line at Spa and if Schumacher and Rosberg can qualify in the top ten they could be dangerous and be a spanner in the works this weekend.

As far as strategy goes I cant this being any more than two stops as far as ideal strategy because Monza isnt very harsh on tyres. With two DRS zones it will be interesting to see how teams approach the weekend and if someone takes the risk of a three stop strategy to stay on the option tyres for as long as possible. We saw Vettel stop on the penultimate lap last year and such a strategy could be employed by someone this weekend.

Should be a good race!

stripedcat · 8 Sep 2011, 15:12 (Ref:2952755)

It could be an interesting race. With the two DRS zones and Monza's high speed. Tyres could be an issue though. The 'camber issue' has been mentioned by Pirelli. This time, Red Bull have more information to go on and so do the other teams.

It would be good to see a non Red Bull pole. Although I get the feeling that it won't happen.

Mercedes did look strong. Schumi has upped his game recently. A podium could be possible.

The big question is how long before Lewis Hamilton crashes out? Make your predictions now.

It also can't be long before 'finger boy' Vettel wraps up another title. I think he is going to take at least another 3 more wins this season. He is on 9 pole positions at the moment, not long until he breaks Mansell's record of 14 in one season.

Looks like we will have good weather for Monza. Bah. I want the rain fairies to spice things up. Although there is a chance of wet weather on Saturday.

**Bononi** · 8 Sep 2011, 18:02 (Ref:2952837)

No problems frostie ! This is good enough for us to start the weekend !

JeremySmith · 8 Sep 2011, 23:49 (Ref:2952976)

Thank you frostie ! Much appreciated..

Marbot · 9 Sep 2011, 00:49 (Ref:2952984)

Nice one frostie!

Possibility of showers on Sunday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/63

*hmmm....I wonder if there's a tyre thread?*

JeremySmith · 9 Sep 2011, 01:02 (Ref:2952987)

Will this do ?...

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130049

Marbot · 9 Sep 2011, 01:04 (Ref:2952988)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Will this do ?...

Beat you too it!

Razzzor · 9 Sep 2011, 01:45 (Ref:2952993)

I don't think Vettel is going to beat Mansell's 14 poles record. Most of his poles this season were very close. He'd have to take another 6 poles in 7 remaining races to beat it, and Webber is a little too close in quali, and Hamilton can pull out some poles if he gets it all perfect.

Another 3 wins could be on the cards for him, but I don't think any more than that, although some Vettel tracks are coming up. Hamilton, Webber and Alonso I see still taking at least another win this season. Maybe more than 2 or 3 for Hamilton.

Tyres shouldn't be an issue so much this weekend like they were at Spa with Pirelli's changes, and that's definitely got to favour Red Bull as they haven't been too flash this year on the softs at some races, esp Webber. Then again, it means Ferrari won't have to spend as long on the harder compound, so they'll have a good advantage too. McLaren's loss, which won't hurt too much because they'll probably be fastest this weekend at Monza.

I'll be interested in seeing how good Mercedes are, but I still don't see them catching the top 3 and getting anywhere near a podium, unfortunately.

Red Bull might prefer high downforce, but they're not too shabby in a straight line either so it's going to be a tight battle at the front between those top 3. I have no idea who's going to win it, maybe Vettel or Hamilton my pick?

Marbot · 9 Sep 2011, 10:30 (Ref:2953077)

McLaren's are looking good in FP1.

Some very high top speeds!

**chunterer** · 9 Sep 2011, 17:15 (Ref:2953239)

Was pretty impressed with Perez this afternoon i have to say?

Marbot · 9 Sep 2011, 18:52 (Ref:2953288)

As usual, on a Friday, different fuel loads and tyres tend to muddy the water somewhat.

One thing does seem to be clear though, and that is Monza isn't any worse for Red Bull than Spa was. Supposedly two of their least favourite tracks.

Overtaking is reported to be "difficult", even when using the DRS!

**Bononi** · 9 Sep 2011, 20:08 (Ref:2953315)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Overtaking is reported to be "difficult", even when using the DRS!

Oh, procession on the way, press the X button !

Marbot · 9 Sep 2011, 23:27 (Ref:2953372)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Oh, procession on the way, press the X button !

Well, perhaps not!

Apparently, the tyres are blistering again. But not on the Ferrari's.

Some cars will be lucky to get 15 laps out of the soft tyre.

Reason for blistering?

Pirelli's 'mule' Toyota was only topping out at 192 mph on the Monza straights, whereas some of the cars today were topping 215 mph on three separate sections of the track!

**bjohnsonsmith** · 10 Sep 2011, 00:12 (Ref:2953378)

Thanks all same frostie; it should be a good race. I always look forward to Monza.

**chunterer** · 10 Sep 2011, 07:17 (Ref:2953408)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Pirelli's 'mule' Toyota was only topping out at 192 mph on the Monza straights, whereas some of the cars today were topping 215 mph on three separate sections of the track!

That's a serious speed difference... The HRT and Virgin will be alright then!

Sodemo · 10 Sep 2011, 08:49 (Ref:2953431)

I still don't like the change to that turn 1 chicane. The old Rettifilio that was there before 2000 was better and more interesting.

werner · 10 Sep 2011, 09:28 (Ref:2953446)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Well, perhaps not!

Apparently, the tyres are blistering again. But not on the Ferrari's.

Some cars will be lucky to get 15 laps out of the soft tyre.

Reason for blistering?

Pirelli's 'mule' Toyota was only topping out at 192 mph on the Monza straights, whereas some of the cars today were topping 215 mph on three separate sections of the track!

In the race drivers won't have the luxury of having drs everywhere. They will have 2 times that kind of topspeed at most, and when they are not driving within 1 second of their competitors, topspeeds will be closer to 192 then 215 miles an hour.

Marbot · 10 Sep 2011, 11:26 (Ref:2953473)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

In the race drivers won't have the luxury of having drs everywhere. They will have 2 times that kind of topspeed at most, and when they are not driving within 1 second of their competitors, topspeeds will be closer to 192 then 215 miles an hour.

I was thinking more about the effects that qualifying will have on the tyres that they will start the race on.

Mekola · 10 Sep 2011, 13:20 (Ref:2953497)

Bruno entered Q3 but did not set a time there. Renault TO to stay in the pits???

p-matt · 10 Sep 2011, 13:24 (Ref:2953498)

Can't believe BBC didn't spot that Rosberg set his time on hard tyres. EJ has a fool for congratulating Michael for getting ahead of Nico. Should be interesting to see how he gets on with his first stint on hard tyres.

**Adam43** · 10 Sep 2011, 14:15 (Ref:2953511)

Well EJ might not have realised, but the commentary team pointed it out. Can't believe you missed that

strider · 10 Sep 2011, 14:16 (Ref:2953513)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekola

Bruno entered Q3 but did not set a time there. Renault TO to stay in the pits???

Smart move. Bruno probably used an extra set of tyres to get into Q3. He did one installation lap (no time) so I'm hoping those are the tyres he can start the race on. Either way, he conserved a set of tyres by not setting a time.

**Adam43** · 10 Sep 2011, 14:27 (Ref:2953517)

One thing I didn't spot was why Jenson abandoned his lap, wasn't he ahead on the second split.

strider · 10 Sep 2011, 16:00 (Ref:2953537)

He lost time in sector three, so aborted it there and then to avoid having to do another lap back to the pits.

JeremySmith · 10 Sep 2011, 16:09 (Ref:2953539)

Wonderful race track Monza..Very simple layout, just shows you...

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