By Ewan Tytler, U.S.A.
Atlas F1 Magazine Writer
Formula One heads to the home of the Italian Grand Prix, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, for the last race of the European season. As always, Ewan Tytler reviews the field
At 5.793 km, Monza is the third longest and is the fastest active Grand Prix circuit. The historic Monza circuit dates back to 1922 and in the modern era, 50 of the 51 Italian Grands Prix have been held at Monza. Before chicanes were added in the 1970s, Monza was famous for slipstreaming battles that typically ended in a Grandstand finish; in 1969 and 1971, the first four cars finished within 0.19s!
Last year's Italian Grand Prix was marred by the death of fire marshall Paolo Gislimberti, who was killed by flying debris from a massive accident at the Curva della Roggia, the 2nd chicane at Monza. In response to this tragedy, the catch fencing has been raised and the run-off at the exit to the Parabolica has been improved.
Williams's Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael explains the technical challenges presented by Monza: "Monza is a very low downforce circuit with a similar top speed to Hockenheim. The four high speed corners mean the tyres are usually harder compound. Its other main features are chicanes and long braking distances. The mechanical set-up has to be a compromise between a stable car in high speed and being competitive over the curbs at the chicanes."
Pitstop and tyre strategies
Attrition has been moderate to high at Monza, so finishing is everything. Fourteen cars finished the 1997 race, 13 cars were running at the end of the 1998 race, 12 finished in 2000, 11 were classified in 1999 while only 10 finished in 1996, 1995 and 1994.
In last year's race, most finishers used a one-stop strategy. The pitstop window was fairly wide in 2000, with those on a one-stop strategy pitting between laps 29 to 43, but this may have been due to the use of the pace car for 11 laps at the start of the race.
On tyre choice, Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier stated: "Unlike Spa, where we had no prior relevant experience, we have tested at Monza; although that doesn't necessarily put us in a stronger position. Technically, the Italian GP isn't an easy race for tyre manufacturers. The high average lap speeds and three vital corners: Curva Grande, Lesmo and Parabolica put a great strain on our tyres so we have to produce something that is sound in terms of construction and compound."
Michelin's F1 project manager Pascal Vasselon added: "Unlike some circuits, we are coming to Spa with tyres that have been developed directly as a consequence of our test programme. At this track, the trick is to control tread temperatures that are a consequence of the high speeds without sacrificing grip. Our two compounds incorporate revisions in terms of construction."
Down the Pitlane
Ferrari, the 2001 Constructors' Champions, have won the Italian Grand Prix 13 times, the most recent victories were in 2000, 1998 and 1996, and have scored 67 points at Monza in 1990-2000.
2001 World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher won the Italian Grand Prix in 2000, 1998 and 1996 for Ferrari. Schumacher also finished 3rd in 1992 and 5th in 1991 in his first race for Benetton and 6th in 1997 for Ferrari . Schumacher set fastest lap in 1996 and set pole position in 2000 and 1998.
Rubens Barrichello is still third in the Drivers' Championship. Barrichello finished 4th in 1999 for Stewart, 4th in 1994 and 5th in 1996 for Jordan. Barrichello's highest grid position was 2nd in last year's race, but he was eliminated in the fatal first-lap crash.
McLaren remain in 2nd in the Constructors' Championship. McLaren have won at Monza 7 times and have scored 79 points at Monza in 1990-2000. Although their aerodynamic advantage may help in Sunday's race, McLaren have been hampered by a lack of horsepower and reliability. During July testing, McLaren were the second fastest team at Monza.
David Coulthard is still 2nd in the Drivers' Championship. Coulthard won the Italian Grand Prix in 1997 for McLaren and was classified as 6th in 1994 at his first Italian Grand Prix, when his Williams stopped on the last lap at the approach to the Parabolica. Coulthard led the 1998 and 1995 races and set the pole position and fastest lap in 1995. In last year's race, Coulthard was eliminated in the first-lap crash.
Mika Hakkinen is still 5th in the Drivers' Championship. Hakkinen has had some success but has yet to win at the Monza. Hakkinen finished 2nd in 1995, 3rd in 1996, 4th in 1998 and in 1994 for McLaren. Hakkinen set the qualifying record of 1:22.432 for the 5.77 km circuit in 1999 and he set the race lap record of 1:25.595 in last year's race and he also set fastest lap in 1997 and 1998.
Williams are still 3rd in the Constructors' Championship. BMW Motorsport Director, Dr Mario Theissen, stated: "In Spa, by being first and second in qualifying, we have shown what we can achieve if everything goes well. But on race day it became obvious the team is making far too many mistakes to be fighting at the top of the championship. A positive point is we can learn easily from obvious mistakes. We are using the time between the races to do this. We are preparing for Monza by testing in Magny-Cours and carrying out development work in Munich. We are looking forward very much to the Monza circuit, because it should suit our chassis and engine package. Of course it is our target to finish the European season with a very good result."
Williams have been a successful team at Monza, winning the Italian Grand Prix five times, but they haven't won since 1994 and have scored a total of 51 points at Monza in 1990-2000. During July testing, Williams were the third fastest team at Monza. Their horsepower advantage may prove to be crucial in Sunday's race.
Ralf Schumacher is still 4th in the Drivers' Championship. Ralf commented: "Monza is not too demanding on the drivers, but normally produces interesting races. There are three possibilities to overtake. With a little more luck than in Spa we should look fairly good in Italy, especially as the Monza is a similar track to Hockenheim, so it should suit our car quite well." Ralf has had three consectutive podium finishes at Monza, finishing 3rd in 1998 for Jordan, 2nd in 1999 and 3rd in 2000 for Williams. Ralf's highest grid position was 5th in 1999, and he also set fastest lap in 1999.
Juan Pablo Montoya is still 6th in the Drivers' Championship. Montoya scored his second pole position at Spa-Francorchamps with the older spec FW23, but he will have a chance to use the newer spec FW23 at Monza. Montoya stated: "It is a track very like Hockenheim and we did well there. We should be really quick there, but we will have to see what happens. The most important thing as we have seen in qualifying in Spa is to get the car right. If we get it right we should be very quick. I have only tested there and never raced."
Sauber are still 4th in the Constructors' Championship. Sauber have scored 10 points at Monza, finishing 5th in 1998, 4th and 6th in 1995 and 4th in 1993. Nick Heidfeld is still 7th equal in the Drivers' Championship. In last year's race, Heidfeld did not finish after qualifying 20th for Prost.
Kimi Raikonnen is still 9th equal in the Drivers' Championship. Raikonnen is recovering from a major crash during testing at Magny-Cours but should be fit for the race weekend. Raikkonen set the best testing time of 2001 at Monza of 1:23.532s.
BAR have slipped to 5th equal in the Constructors' Championship. In last year's race, Ricardo Zonta scored the team's first point at Monza.
Jacques Villeneuve is still 7th equal in the Drivers' Championship. Villeneuve has had limited success at Monza, finishing 5th in 1997 for Williams. Villeneuve's highest grid position was 2nd, in 1996 and 1998. Oliver Panis has slipped to 13th equal in the drivers' championship. Panis has yet to score a point at Monza, his best finish being 10th for Ligier in 1994.
Jordan have climbed to 5th equal in the Constructors' Championship. Jordan have won once and have scored 26 points at Monza. In last year's race, both Jordans were eliminated in the fatal first lap crash. During July testing, Jordan were in the middle of the time sheets at Monza.
Pescara's Jarno Trulli is still 9th equal in the Drivers' Championship. Trulli's best finish was 10th in 1997 and his highest grid position was 10th in 1998. Jean Alesi has climbed to 13th equal in the Drivers' Championship. Alesi has the most driving experience at Monza with 12 Formula One starts and one F3000 start. Alesi has tasted success at Monza, finishing 2nd in 1997 and 1996 for Benetton, 2nd in 1993 for Ferrari, 5th in 1998 for Sauber and 5th in 1989 for Tyrrell. Alesi set pole position in 1997 and 1994 and led the 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994 races.
Benetton have climbed to seventh in the Constructors' Championship. During July testing, Benetton were close to the bottom of the time sheets at Monza but recent aerodynamic developments have dramatically improved their pace. Technical director Mike Gascoyne stated: "The whole team is looking forward to the final three races of the season after our strong performances in the last few rounds. The new aerodynamic package should help us substantially here."
Benetton have won the Italian Grand Prix once, in 1995, and have scored 39 points at Monza from 1990-2000. In last year's race Alex Wurz finished 5th. Rome's Giancarlo Fisichella has climbed to 11th in the Drivers' Championship. Fisichella finished fourth in 1997 and his highest grid position was 3rd, also in 1997. Jenson Button is still 16th in the Drivers' Championship. After qualifying 12th, Button was eliminated from last year's race, trying to avoid Michael Schumacher, when the pace car was on the circuit.
Prost are still 9th in the Constructors' Championship. The outstanding perfomance during qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps proved to be a false dawn for Prost. Team owner Alain Prost won three times but his team has yet to score a point at Monza.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen has slipped to 12th in the Drivers' Championship. Frentzen was eliminated in the fatal first lap crash of last year's race. Frentzen won the 1999 Italian Grand Prix for Jordan and finished 3rd in 1997 for Williams and 3rd in 1995 for Sauber. Frentzen's highest grid position was 2nd, in 1997 and 1999. Frentzen is very experienced at Monza - this will be his 8th Italian Grand Prix, and he also competed in the 1990 F3000 race at Monza.
Luciano Burti will not be competing at the Italian Grand Prix as he is still recuperating from head injuries he sustained at Spa. Czech F3000 driver Tomas Enge will substitute. Enge has not competed at Monza in F3000 however he has been fast at Hockenheim, a similar low downforce circuit, winning in 2000 from pole position and setting fastest lap in 2001.
Jaguar are still 8th in the Constructors' Championship. Team founder Jackie Stewart won twice at Monza and the Stewart team scored 3 points there. In last year's race, both Jaguars were eliminated in separate first lap crashes. During July testing, Jaguar were the fourth fastest team at Monza.
Eddie Irvine has slipped to 15th in the Drivers' Championship and the former Ferrari driver is still a crowd favourite at Monza. Irvine finished 2nd in 1998 and 6th in 1999 for Ferrari. Irvine also finished 2nd in the 1990 F3000 race. Irvine's highest grid position was 5th in 1998.
Pedro de la Rosa is still 17th equal in the Drivers' Championship. De la Rosa has yet to finish at Monza. In last year's race, he was eliminated in the fatal first lap crash after qualifying 10th for Arrows.
Arrows are still 10th in the Constructors' Championship. Arrows scored 3 points at Monza last year, when Jos Verstappen finished 4th - the team's first points at Monza since 1998. Jos Verstappen is still 17th equal in the drivers' championship. He finished 8th in 1996 for Footwork and his highest grid position was 10th in 1994 for Benetton.
Enrique Bernoldi has lived and raced in Italy. "I like Monza," he says, "it's a good track. Its really fast which means you can run with very low downforce setting on the car. This should suit our car better than some tracks, so hopefully we can get a good result. I've raced there many times before, a while ago though, so I am really looking forward to going back. Italy is a beautiful country and I love the food and people."
Minardi have yet to score a point at their home Grand Prix. Pierluigi Martini's 7th places in 1989 and 1993 were their best results. In last year's race both Minardis finished. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Alex Yoong have competed at Monza before. During testing at Monza in July, both Minardi driver's were 5s off the pace. Yoong has replace Tarso Marques. The young Malaysian has raced in Formula Nippon but he never finished a European F3000 race in 1999.
The Italian Grand Prix Preview in a Nutshell: