Monza Poised for F1 Thriller
Posted on August 28, 2024 Tags: Formula One
McLaren and Red Bull Head-to-Head
Serious Challenge for World Title
WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY WIN by Britain’s Lando Norris at Zandvoort challenging the record books, and Monza next up, it seems we’re in for a thrilling chase home during the last nine events of the 2024 F1 season.
McLaren now has Red Bull officially on the ropes for the World Championship honours and that bodes for exciting times ahead.
It’s a remarkable turn-around with the once mighty Red Bull machine curiously lacking the mega force which has kept the brilliance of current world title holder Max Verstappen ever ready to crush the opposition.
But there seem no more guarantees. And, unless Red Bull can find whatever it is that ails the once near invincible RB, anything is possible.
Perhaps it’s no more than a simple fix that the brilliance of Adrian Newey can conjure up.
But one thing’s’ for sure. It’ll be quite an extraordinary outcome if we don’t find who is the real deal at Monza, the Temple of Speed, and the Italian Grand Prix this coming weekend!
Answers this weekend at Monza?
Red Bull Brains Trust – Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen.
This may well be the most important race of the season. And the questions abound:
- Can Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Helmut Marko rekindle Max’s mighty mojo?
- Have McLaren’s Zak Brown (who has not long extended his contract as CEO until 2030) and recent addition Andrea Stella discovered F1’s magical elixir?
- Or is there a smoky out there in the shape of Ferrari, Mercedes, or even Aston Martin to pour oil on the brand-new Monza asphalt surface?
I, for one, can’t wait until Sunday 1st September at 21:00 (Perth Time) to find out.
Although we’ll probably have a much clearer picture after Saturday’s qualifying.
Williams – Logan Out, Franco In
On a more sombre note, Logan Sargeant – Formula One’s only American driver – has left the paddock after Williams decided enough was enough following the 23-year-old’s crash at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
It seemed it was the end of the F1 road for the likeable young man from Florida, who has struggled to bag crucial championship points since he joined the team in season 2023.
He’s been replaced for the remainder of the current season by Argentine F2 driver Franco Colapinto, a Williams reserve pilot.
Logan has failed to score a point in 2024 – but his frightening crash last Saturday at Zandvoort (pictured) during final practice was the tipping point.
It virtually destroyed the car, which caught fire, damaging what’s been described as “a precious new aero package”. Fortunately, the young American from Fort Lauderdale escaped unharmed.
At a media call before the Dutch Grand Prix, Logan Sargeant said he hoped he could make his Williams team proud during his final 10 races of the year.
Williams had already signed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz as Logan’s 2025 replacement.
He simply had struggled to match the performance of teammate Alex Albon.
“You gave it your all, brother.”
Alex Albon (pictured right, with Logan Sargeant} took to social media to share some kind words of farewell.
“I know first-hand how brutal this sport can be & it’s tough to see Logan leave the team mid-season.
“You gave it your all, brother, and it’s been a pleasure being teammates with you. I know whatever you do next, you’ll be awesome.”
Williams needs to maximise points – and quickly
James Vowles (pictured above left), with Logan Sargeant.
“TO REPLACE A DRIVER MID-SEASON is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season,” said Team Principal James Vowles
“We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximize every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.
“We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.
“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude.
“Logan remains a talented driver, and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future.”
In the footsteps of Juan Manuel Fangio
Franco Colapino is set to become Argentina’s first Formula 1 racer since 2001.
He holds sixth place in this year’s Formula 2 championship and has had a handful of outings for Williams, having contested the young driver test in Abu Dhabi in 2023, as well as first practice at Silverstone earlier this season.
Franco becomes the 25th Argentine F1 driver. and follows in the footsteps of the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, who won five F1 World Championships in the 1950s.
“It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams—this is what dreams are made of,” he said.
Full-throttle madness
F1 Drivers are infinitely aware that Monza – one of the fastest circuits on the 2024 calendar – demands a delicate balance between top speed and downforce.
As someone much smarter than me once said: “While they might wish to slice through the air like a streamlined arrow, it’s imperative they realise the importance of sufficient grip to handle those spooky braking zones.
F1 Teams tweak their car setups specifically for Monza – remember they dial down the downforce because minimal downforce optimizes the long straights.
It’s been said that 83% of the lap here at this very special venue is simply full-throttle madness!
Consider these corners, and the remarkable descriptions written about them:
VARIENTE del RETTIFILO:
A tight chicane after a warp-speed straight. Drivers slam the brakes from 340 km/h (211 mph) to 80 km/h (50 mph) in under two seconds. Their bodies feel over 5 g — like being hugged by a very enthusiastic elephant.
CURVA GRANDE:
A flat-out right-hander at 330 km/h (205 mph). Hold your breath; it’s a blink-and-you-miss-it moment!
VARIANTE della ROGGIA:
Another chicane, demanding precision. Brake from 330 km/h (205 mph) to 95 km/h (59 mph) in a cosmic heartbeat. Four times their body weight pushes against the drivers.
CURVA di LESMO:
Two medium-speed right-handers—like waltzing with a Ferrari. Brake, accelerate, hug the inside kerbs. Repeat.
Temple of Speed Earns a Makeover
Officially known as the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2024, the most important change for Monza this year concerns the asphalt.
The circuit has embarked on a process of renovation and modernisation of its facility, aimed at ensuring its F1 future. Part of the first phase of this work has been the complete resurfacing of the entire track.
The work, completed early August, has involved a crew of 240 and 92 vehicles. As expected, Pirelli engineers carried out an inspection of the new surface, sharing the data with the FIA and the teams, in preparation for this weekend – the final European round of the F1 season.
As is usually the case with newly laid asphalt, the surface is smoother than its predecessor and darker in colour, which will impact on track temperature, if the sun is shining and that is looking increasingly more likely.
Monza, Lombardy, Italy
Heading for Scorcher
Pirelli reckons the track surface at Monza this weekend could get hotter than in past years, even reaching significant highs exceeding 50 °C.
In theory, the new asphalt should offer more grip, impacting tyre performance and their operating temperature range. And track evolution with very high over the course of the weekend, as the various categories racing at this event rack up the laps.
At Monza, cars usually run in the lowest aerodynamic configuration of the season to reduce drag and favour top speed.
The tyre maestros say stability under braking and traction coming out of the two chicanes are the factors that most test the tyres. As well, the lateral loads in the fast corners such as the Parabolica should not be underestimated.
Three dry compounds selected
For Monza 2024, the three dry compounds are the same as last year: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft.
Monza is a track where the time needed for a pit stop is one of the longest of the year so, invariably a one-stop strategy is quickest.
In free practice, it’s important to evaluate what effect the new surface might have on tyre behaviour over a long run, both in terms of performance and of degradation.
The Italian Grand Prix has been a permanent fixture on the F1 World Championship calendar since its inception, making this year’s event the 75th edition.
It has been run at Monza every year, except for the 1980 race which was held at Imola.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have won here the most, with five victories apiece, followed by Nelson Piquet on four. When it comes to pole positions, Hamilton leads the way on seven pole positions7, followed by Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna each with five.
Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia
PERTH TIME
Autodromo Nazionale Monza | 30 Aug – 01 Sep
P1: Friday 30th August 19:30
P2: Friday 30th August 23:00
P3: Saturday 31st August 18:30
Qualifying: Saturday 31st August 22:00
Race: Sunday 1st September 21:00
EDITED by AC
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