Formula 1 2011

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Nice RMS think I might have that next to me on sat/sun .. Does make me wonder how they hide all that fuel? Any one know if the FIA are going ahead with the ban on DRS for this race? Herd rumors on the Beeb.

Only through Eau Rouge. It so ridiculously fast and dangerous already, it's probably not a bad idea.

RMS

 

[Big Eggy]

Only through Eau Rouge. It so ridiculously fast and dangerous already, it's probably not a bad idea.

RMS

Does Make sense seen as it's a low down force track.

 

[Herbal extasy]

Ah, highlight of the year. Spa. Too bad Kimi is not racing F1 anymore. He was king of Spa. 2 wins with cars, that should not be capable to win races. Well, Lewis is going to win again. Alonso will never win in Spa.

 

[Big Eggy]

Is Kimi racing NAS Car or somthing?? He's still are RedBull Rally too right?

 

[Herbal extasy]

Is Kimi racing NAS Car or somthing?? He's still are RedBull Rally too right?

Yes, he is driving mainly in Rally championship, few races this season in Nascar and new plans to drive Le mans cars for Peugeot.

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Grand Prix - The Killer Years

Grand Prix - The Killer Years

Here is a link to watch, Grand Prix : The Killer Years. I highly recommend watching it if you're an F1 junkie. Great interview's with legendary F1 driver's and insider's. One topic they discuss is the 1960 Belgian Grand Prix where there were 4 major accident's, of which 3 of the car's were Lotus. 2 driver's were killed, both British. It serve's as a chilling reminder how dangerous Formula One racing was back then.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N9-QrRl1Uk

 

[Herbal extasy]

Rocky MS, big thanks for the link. I am just a fan of that era. Those guys were real men. Gladiators. Today guys are just mainly whining pussies...

BTW, Grand prix legends is still best formula game ever because tracks were mainly fast without boring chicanes, but with lot of high speed corners which needed very gentle touch to steer.

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Belgian GP Preview - The Flying Lap #33

Belgian GP Preview - The Flying Lap #33

Paddock @ Spa, August 25, 2011

With back-to-back wins for Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in Germany and Hungary, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes went into the August break on a high. Can the two British stars continue the momentum as the F1 world re-ignites at the Belgian GP at Spa? McLaren Racing's MD, Jonathan Neale, joins us live from the McLaren Technology Centre, in Woking, England, to talk us through the team's preparation for Spa and their chances of winning still more races in this 19-round championship. And, two days after his brace of podium finishes at Silverstone WSR - and only four before he returns to F1 to race for HRT at Spa - F1's most talked-about star of the future, Daniel Ricciardo, joins us live to talk about his meteoric career, his hopes and his goals. F1's favourite stats man, Sean Kelly, also returns to The Flying Lap to look ahead at the Belgian GP.

http://smibs.tv/the-flying-lap/spa-2011-preview

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Friday Qualifying - Session's 1 & 2

Friday Qualifying - Session's 1 & 2

Session 1

Michael Schumacher on his way to the fastest time of the morning during an early dry spell, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps, August 26, 2011

Michael Schumacher started his 20th anniversary celebration weekend in appropriate style by leading the opening practice session at Spa, as Formula 1 resumed after its summer break, but the position was somewhat deceptive as only the Mercedes managed laps in the dry.

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps

1. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m54.355s 13
2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m54.829s + 0.474s 15
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m02.740s + 8.385s 8
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2m03.752s + 9.397s 10
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 2m04.301s + 9.946s 7
6. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m04.663s + 10.308s 18
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 2m04.728s + 10.373s 10
8. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m05.391s + 11.036s 12
9. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m06.583s + 12.228s 16
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m06.886s + 12.531s 15
11. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 2m07.055s + 12.700s 12
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 2m07.481s + 13.126s 15
13. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m08.233s + 13.878s 14
14. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m08.239s + 13.884s 14
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.918s + 14.563s 10
16. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 2m09.792s + 15.437s 8
17. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m12.278s + 17.923s 13
18. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m12.389s + 18.034s 10
19. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m12.772s + 18.417s 13
20. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m13.058s + 18.703s 8
21. Karun Chandhok Lotus-Renault 2m13.090s + 18.735s 11
22. Vitaly Petrov Renault 2m13.601s + 19.246s 10
23. Bruno Senna Renault 2m14.340s + 19.985s 7
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m14.933s + 20.578s 11


Bruno Senna's Renault throws up a rooster tail of spray, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps, August 26, 2011

Session 2

Mark Webber in action during FP2, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps, August 26, 2011

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps

1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m50.321s 22
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m50.461s + 0.140s 18
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m50.770s + 0.449s 9
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m50.838s + 0.517s 9
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m51.218s + 0.897s 14
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m51.242s + 0.921s 22
7. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.655s + 1.334s 20
8. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m51.725s + 1.404s 17
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m51.751s + 1.430s 8
10. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m51.790s + 1.469s 13
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m51.922s + 1.601s 22
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m52.750s + 2.429s 20
13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m52.780s + 2.459s 25
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m52.911s + 2.59 s 24
15. Sébastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m53.009s + 2.688s 24
16. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m53.156s + 2.835s 17
17. Bruno Senna Renault 1m53.835s + 3.514s 20
18. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m55.051s + 4.730s 20
19. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m55.494s + 5.173s 22
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m56.202s + 5.881s 15
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m56.816s + 6.495s 20
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m57.450s + 7.129s 19
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m57.612s + 7.291s 24
24. Vitaly Petrov Renault 2m02.234s + 11.913s 12

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Vettel Wins Pole Position @ Spa

Vettel Wins Pole Position @ Spa

Sebastian Vettel won his eighth pole position of the year during a wet/dry qualifying session today @ Spa.


Pos Driver Team Time Gap

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m48.298s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m48.730s + 0.432
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m49.376s + 1.078
4. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m50.256s + 1.958
5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m50.552s + 2.254
6. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m50.773s + 2.475
7. Bruno Senna Renault 1m51.121s + 2.823
8. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m51.251s + 2.953
9. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.374s + 3.076
10. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m52.303s + 4.005
Q2 cut-off time: 2m04.625s Gap **
11. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m04.692s + 1.924
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m04.757s + 1.989
13. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m05.150s + 2.382
14. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m07.349s + 4.581
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m07.777s + 5.009
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.106s + 5.338
17. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 2m08.354s + 5.586
Q1 cut-off time: 2m07.194s Gap *
18. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m07.758s + 5.945
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m07.773s + 5.960
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m09.566s + 7.753
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m11.601s + 9.788
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m11.616s + 9.803
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m13.077s + 11.264
24. Michael Schumacher Mercedes no time


107% time: 2m10.339s
* Gap to quickest in Q1
** Gap to quickest in Q2


Vitaly Petrov in action, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps, August 27, 2011

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Post Qualifying Update/Commentary

Post Qualifying Update/Commentary

Pastor Maldonado has been given a five-place grid penalty for hitting Lewis Hamilton's car during qualifying.

The stewards handed Hamilton a reprimand for his involvement in the incident.

IMHO, I think that both driver's were to blame in this incident. You can clearly see Hamilton giving Maldonado the chop before Maldonado returns the favor.

I hope the four race stewards this weekend (Nigel Mansell is the guest steward) reminded these 2 asshole's that where they decided to bang wheels was at the same piece of track that Stefan Bellof crashed and died driving his Porsche 956 in the 1000 KM Of Spa Sportscar Race
of 1985.

I must admit that I really dislike Hamilton and his blatant disregard for other driver's on the track. It's also amazing how the BBC and the British press blatantly favor Hamilton, and that no matter what he does, he can do no wrong.

Look at the video, judge for yourselves, and let the debate begin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JVNEb1vv0Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXwFwm1s6MM




Update: James Allen tells it like it is.

The FIA Stewards have penalised Pastor Maldonado for the incident in qualifying with Lewis Hamilton.

The Venezuelan will drop five grid positions from 16th to 21st on the grid after the stewards decided that he was the one most at fault.

Hamilton gets off with a reprimand, but it’s important to recognise that in the stewards’ eyes he too is guilty of “a breach of the regulations” by causing an incident under article 16.1 – in this case the relevant definition from the menu of definitions in that Article must be “caused a collision”.

Close inspection of the replays show that as Maldonado drives past him after their contact in the final corner of their Q2 laps, Hamilton moved to the right on two occasions, but on the second occasion Maldonado drove into him. It is for this deliberate action that Maldonado has been punished.

One rival team boss said that Hamilton was equally at fault in the incident and his body language afterwards indicated that he felt he might be in for a penalty. He even talked about the possible scenario that he could be starting the race near his team mate, Jenson Button, who is 13th on the grid.

One of the stewards this weekend is Nigel Mansell, 1992 world champion with Williams. I spoke to him on Thursday and he said that he enjoys the work and that he feels that in calls over an incident – such as this one – the other stewards really listen to his point of view. The influence of ex drivers, especially champions, in the stewarding process has generally made the decisions less controversial over the past two years and has certainly given it more credibility than with certain decisions in the past.

Maldonado’s take on it was, “He slowed down a lot at the end of the session, so I tried to go past him. I then felt contact at the back of my car. I don’t really know what happened. It was a difficult moment.”

Hamilton said, “It wasn’t a racing incident. Through the last corner I had to get past and we perhaps touched. I don’t know if he was upset about that and perhaps wanted to make a point of it. I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to him.

“It’s clear from the footage, we are going down a straight which curves to the right and I can’t go any more to the left and somehow his car ends up hitting me. I didn’t drive into anyone.

“I went a little bit right and I saw he’d moved out so I went back and then he was in a blind spot. I though he was coming past and then he ended up coming into me.

“They (the stewards) played back the footage and my in-car footage. But they don’t seem to have his in car footage for some reason. They can only record nine cars and the camera was on Barrichello’s car.”



http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/08/maldonado-punished-for-spat-with-hamilton/

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Tom Cruise test drives Red Bull Racing F1 car

Tom Cruise test drives Red Bull Racing F1 car

Tom Cruise out on track in the Red Bull, Willow Springs racetrack, California, August 15, 2011

As an interesting side note, F1 related, Red Bull recently invited Tom Cruise to take a break from production of his new movie, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, to pilot the Red Bull Racing F1 car through Southern California's 2.5-mile (4km) Willow Springs circuit.
 
He reached a top speed of 181 mph (291 km/h) - just 4 mph off the top speed of his instructor and 13-time Grand Prix winner, David Coulthard.

Like him or hate him, he did an impressive job driving an F1 car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyW8FdzH9dg&feature=player_embedded

http://www.redbullracing.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/Track-Time-With-Tom-Cruise-021243073950705



Tom Cruise receives advice from David Coulthard before going out in the Red Bull, Willow Springs racetrack, California, August 15

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Red Bull Finishes 1-2 - Vettel Wins

Red Bull Finishes 1-2 - Vettel Wins

Sebastian Vettel led Mark Weber in a dominant Red Bull 1-2 finish to win the Belgian Grand Prix @Spa today. The victory is Vettel's 17th career win, and his 7th this year. Vettel now extends his championship lead to 92 points over his team mate, Webber. IMHO, you would need a freight train to run over Vettel to stop him from winning this years F1 title, making him the youngest ever consecutive double world champion.


Belgian GP - 2011 - - Start
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ4XwvQ2x7c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZrigUCMKk&feature=related


Schumacher onboard start Spa 2011 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idzOBn87KOo&feature=related




Sebastian Vettel leads into the first corner

.

La Source Hairpin @ Spa Start

Button thought he had enough pace to challenge for the win, but sustained damage to his car from the multi car contact incident at La Source caused by young Bruno Senna, on the first lap.

Jenson Button surged back to finish third after falling back in the early stages of the race.

Alonso, who chose a 2-stop strategy, was on medium softs on his final stint. That made him .5-.8 seconds per lap slower, and was eventually passed by both Weber and Button in the closing stages. He only managed to finish a disappointing fourth, even though he at one point was easily leading the race.

Webers' pass on Alonso through Eau Rouge @ 185 MPH made me gasp in awe, and required massive cajones to pull off for a 35 year old driver. Very impressive driving from Weber.

Michael Schumacher fought his way through the field. He started dead last on the grid and relished his chance to prove he still belongs in F1, despite what his critic's are saying. Rosberg was asked to back off and conserve fuel late in the race by his engineer.

Old man Schumacher showed he can still drive, passing team mate Rosberg for fifth at the closing stages of the race. Both were on different tire strategies on their final stint's, Schumacher on the quicker super softs. Rosberg was forced to settle with sixth place. He looked strong all day, but had problems with his front tires blistering, especially at the end of the race. Zoom in and look closely at the pic below, and you can see Rosbergs left front starting to blister. Moreover, again, zoom in and look at how much camber is cranked into the front suspension of Vettel's Red Bull, whose left front is also starting to blister. This is what probably caused the graining issue's on the left & right front's that Red Bull were complaining about before the race began. Red Bull was running so much camber in the front they were over the recommended camber spec that Pirelli suggested using. Look closely at any of the Red Bull front end pics and it's quite apparent.

IMHO, it was the best and most exciting race of the year, with plenty of high speed wheel to wheel racing at F1's temple of speed. Spa is home to the fastest corner's in F1 racing, and it would be a real shame if it were to be dropped from the calendar because it can no longer afford to stage the race.

Starting in 2013, Spa and Paul Ricard have made an agreement to share a race. This means Spa-Francorchamps will only feature on the calendar in alternate years.


The top three enjoy a drink, Belgian Grand Prix, as the highest paid designer in F1- Red Bull pays him $10 million per year-chief designer Adrian Newey, looks on and grins. Spa-Francorchamps, August 28, 2011

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS
The Belgian Grand Prix
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium;
44 laps; 308.052km;
Weather: Dry conditions.

Classified:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h26.44.893
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 3.741
3. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 9.669
4. Alonso Ferrari + 13.022
5. Schumacher Mercedes + 47.464
6. Rosberg Mercedes + 48.674
7. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 59.713
8. Massa Ferrari + 1m06.076
9. Petrov Renault + 1m11.917
10. Maldonado Williams-Cosworth + 1m17.615
11. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1m23.994
12. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1m31.976
13. Senna Renault + 1m32.985
14. Trulli Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
15. Kovalainen Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
16. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
17. D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth + 1 lap
18. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 1 lap
19. Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap

Fastest lap: Massa, 1:23.415

Not classified/retirements:

Driver Team On lap
Perez Sauber-Ferrari 27
Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 13
Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 12
Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 6
Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1



World Championship standings, round 11:

Drivers: Constructors:
1. Vettel 259 1. Red Bull-Renault 426
2. Webber 167 2. McLaren-Mercedes 295
3. Alonso 157 3. Ferrari 231
4. Button 149 4. Mercedes 88
5. Hamilton 146 5. Renault 68
6. Massa 74 6. Sauber-Ferrari 35
7. Rosberg 56 7. Force India-Mercedes 32
8. Schumacher 42 8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 22
9. Petrov 34 9. Williams-Cosworth 5
10. Heidfeld 34
11. Kobayashi 27
12. Sutil 24
13. Buemi 12
14. Alguersuari 10
15. Di Resta 8
16. Perez 8
17. Barrichello 4
18. Maldonado 1

BBC F1 2011 - 12 Belgian GP - Forum :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1qetGRWU-k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULSIaiDCd98&feature=related


BBC F1 2011 - 12 Belgian GP - From the pit lane with Ted Kravitz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOP932h7wk


Official Race Edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNo_JbPJgv0&feature=related

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Belgian GP Debrief with Adrian Sutil

Belgian GP Debrief with Adrian Sutil

The Flying Lap - Episode 34

A classic Belgian GP resulted in yet another one-two finish for Red Bull Racing - the team's tenth. This, though, was a race with a difference. A small window of dry-weather running on Saturday placed a premium on Pirelli tyre management on Sunday; there were eight lead changes in the first 18 laps. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Jenson Button carved his way through the field from 13th to the podium; Michael Schumacher, celebrating the 20th anniversary in F1, became the sixth successive driver to score points after being eliminated in Q1; and Force India's Adrian Sutil was in the points again, this time climbing from 15th to an excellent seventh. Live from Switzerland, Adrian joins Peter Windsor to talk about this amazing race - the usual first-corner dramatics, the tyre situation, his battles with Schumacher and Lotus Renault's Vitaly Petrov - and about his love for this most historic of F1 venues.

Peter also interviews young Canadian driver, Robert Wickens, Marussia Virgin F1 reserve driver.


http://smibs.tv/the-flying-lap/spa-2011-debrief-sutil

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Italian GP Preview with Romain Grosjean & ScarbsF1

Italian GP Preview with Romain Grosjean & ScarbsF1

The Flying Lap - Episode 35

As we look ahead to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Peter Windsor is joined in the studio by the inimitable Craig Scarborough. Can Red Bull Racing continue to dominate as they did at Spa? Craig will talk us through the technical pros and cons.

Romain Grosjean, the newly-crowned GP2 Champion and Reserve Driver for Lotus Renault GP, is the guest on Ep 35 of The Flying Lap. A driver of enormous talent at the forefront of the new French resurgence in top-line motor sport, Romain won in Formula Renault before clinching the 2007 F3 Euroseries with the legendary ASM team. Instantly quick in GP2, winning the 2008 Asia series for ART (ASM) and two rounds of the GP2 Main Series, he switched to the Spanish Barwa Addax team for 2009. Romain won the feature races at Barcelona and Monaco before being invited to replace Nelson Piquet in the Renault F1 team, debuting in the European Grand Prix at Valencia. Romain's graduation was not easy and for 2010 he found himself in a position of having to re-invent his career in lower-profile GT and AutoGP events. These were difficult times, but the Frenchman showed enormous strength of character - so much so that DAMS invited him to stand-in for Jerome d'Ambrosio at Hockenheim. Romain quickly demonstrated his customary pace - but combined that with an altogether different, more worldly-wise attitude. He continued with DAMS in 2011, winning both the Asia and Main Series and now again finds himself on the crest of the F1 wave.

http://smibs.tv/the-flying-lap/monza-2011-grosjean

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

1971 Italian Grand Prix , Autodromo Nazionale Monza

1971 Italian Grand Prix , Autodromo Nazionale Monza

Peter Gethin leads Ronnie Peterson, Mike Hailwood, Francois Cevert and Howden Ganley in the closing stages of the Italian Grand Prix

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/35615.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3TrU4xe_ic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY_sHKRnaeo&NR=1

A year after Jochen Rindt's tragic death, Peter Gethin secured his first grand prix victory at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Driving a Yardley BRM, Britain's Gethin won a slipstreaming thriller at an average of 150.75mph and he won by just one one-undredth of a second.

Chris Amon's V12 Matra took pole position from the Ferrari of Jacky Ickx while the BRMs of Austrian GP winner Jo Siffert and Howden Ganley occupied row two. The best of the Cosworth-powered cars, Jackie Stewart's Tyrrell, was on row three alongside Ronnie Peterson's March.

But it was Clay Regazzoni who made a storming start to take the lead in his Ferrari, the Swiss driver launching himself from row four to take the lead from Peterson who squeezed by during the opening lap to re-take the lead. Peterson then handed over the race leader's baton to Stewart before Regazzoni slipstreamed his way back into the lead. The action was equally intense behind the leaders with Francois Cevert, Siffert, Ickx, Ganley and Gethin's BRM battling it out.

Jacky Ickx retired on lap 17 with an engine failure, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 5, 1971

Stewart retired on lap 16 when his engine failed and Ickx suffered a similar fate on the same lap while Regazzoni joined them on the list of retirements two laps later after his Ferrari also suffered an engine failure.

As the race wore on, Siffert and Ganley fell away from the leading bunch with overheating engines but the Surtees of Mike Hailwood and Amon's pole-sitting Matra caught up to the leading group and started to become more of a threat. His undoing had been a poor start but he was charging by half-distance and for a brief period he led the race. Then, in keeping with his miserable luck, his visor fell off his helmet and he could no longer run at full speed with wind and grit flying into his uncovered eyes. To add to his woes his engine began to overheat and he dropped away from the leading group of five drivers.

But it was Gethin who made the best run out of the Parabolica, the last right-hander, to win the race by the narrowest of margins from Cevert, Peterson, Hailwood and Ganley and at a record-breaking speed.

Pos Points No Driver Car Engine Tyres Laps Race Time Delay Qualifying Fastest Lap


1 9 18 Peter Gethin (GBR) BRM P160 BRM P142-60 Firestone 55 1:18'12.60 11 1'23.88 3 1'24.1 (47)
2 6 25 Ronnie Peterson (SWE) March 711 Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 55 1:18'12.61 +0.01 6 1'23.46 3 1'24.1 (38)
3 4 2 François Cevert (FRA) Tyrrell 002 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 55 1:18'12.69 +0.09 5 1'23.41 10 1'24.3 (39)
4 3 9 Mike Hailwood (GBR) Surtees TS9 Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 55 1:18'12.78 +0.18 17 1'25.17 3 1'24.1 (9)
5 2 19 Howden Ganley (NZL) BRM P160 BRM P142-60 Firestone 55 1:18'13.21 +0.61 4 1'23.15 2 1'24.0 (54)
6 1 12 Chris Amon (NZL) Matra MS120B Matra MS71 Goodyear 55 1:18'44.96 +32.36 1 1'22.40 7 1'24.2 (37)
7 14 Jackie Oliver (GBR) McLaren M14A Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 55 1:19'37.43 +1'24.83 13 1'24.09 3 1'24.1 (9)
8 5 Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) Lotus 56B Pratt & Whitney Firestone 54 1:18'55.17 +1 lap 18 1'25.18 18 1'25.9 (41)
9 20 Jo Siffert (SUI) BRM P160 BRM P142-60 Firestone 53 1:19'45.16 +2 laps 3 1'23.03 7 1'24.2 (28)
10 28 Jo Bonnier (SWE) McLaren M7C Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 51 1:18'13.88 +4 laps 21 1'26.14 20 1'28.3 (4)


Not classified


-- 26 Jean-Pierre Jarier (FRA) March 701 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 47 1:18'52.10 24 1'28.19 23 1'30.6 (2)
Retirement
gearbox 10 Graham Hill (GBR) Brabham BT34 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 47 1:08'04.90 14 1'24.27 15 1'25.2 (43)
engine 24 Mike Beuttler (GBR) March 711 Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 41 59'11.70 16 1'25.01 16 1'25.4 (29)
suspension 16 Henri Pescarolo (FRA) March 711 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 40 1:04'46.90 10 1'23.77 1 1'23.8 (9)
engine 23 Andrea de Adamich (ITA) March 711 Alfa Romeo 33/3 Firestone 33 50'35.20 20 1'25.78 22 1'29.8 (21)
engine 4 Clay Regazzoni (SUI) Ferrari 312B2 Ferrari 312B Firestone 17 24'20.20 8 1'23.69 14 1'24.9 (14)
engine 30 Jackie Stewart (GBR) Tyrrell 003 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 15 21'29.50 7 1'23.61 12 1'24.8 (15)
engine 3 Jacky Ickx (BEL) Ferrari 312B Ferrari 312B Firestone 15 21'32.20 2 1'22.82 12 1'24.8 (14)
electrical 22 Nanni Galli (ITA) March 711 Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 11 15'52.00 19 1'25.19 7 1'24.2 (9)
suspension 11 Tim Schenken (AUS) Brabham BT33 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 5 7'19.30 9 1'23.73 10 1'24.3 (3)
suspension 27 Silvio Moser (SUI) Bellasi Ford Cosworth DFV 5 7'40.40 22 1'26.54 21 1'28.8 (3)
engine 7 John Surtees (GBR) Surtees TS9A Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 3 4'26.10 15 1'24.45 17 1'25.7 (3)
engine 21 Helmut Marko (AUT) BRM P153 BRM P142-60 Firestone 3 4'56.00 12 1'23.96 19 1'26.4 (2)
Not started
accident 8 Rolf Stommelen (GER) Surtees TS9 Ford Cosworth DFV Firestone 23 1'27.92

Peter Gethin just edges out Ronnie Peterson, Francois Cevert, Mike Hailwood and Howden Ganley to win the Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, September 5, 1971

This race stood as the closest finish in F1 history until 1986, when Senna & Mansell had an even closer 1-2 finish @ Jerez for the Spanish GP.

Racing Through Time - Monza - Parts 1 - 4 :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DerwNkr-uE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Wvxrwjgd4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqpwK3kEkbA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9bYgoP70gU&feature=related


Monza hosted its first race in 1922. When it was originally constructed, it was only the third permanent race track ever built in the world, after Indiannapolis and Brooklands. Since the beginning of the modern era of F1 in 1950, Monza has always been a permanant fixture on the calender. The Italian Grand Prix is is like a sacred pilgrimage to all hard core F1 junkies. If there's one F1 race that you have to attend in your lifetime, this is it.

Lap data
Lap length 5.793km (3.6 miles)
Race laps 53
Race distance 306.72km (190.587 miles)
Pole position Left-hand side of the track
Lap record* 1’21.046 (257.321 kph) by Rubens Barrichello, 2004
Fastest lap 1’19.525 (262.242 kph) by Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004
Maximum speed (2010) 348.7 kph (216.672 mph) by Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso
DRS zone/s (race) Start/finish straight and straight to Ascari
Car performance
Full throttle 83%
Power loss 5%
Tyre energy (1-3) 3
Brake energy (1-3) 2
Downforce level Low
Gear changes per lap 46
Fuel use per lap 2.8kg
Strategy
Pit lane time loss 23 seconds
2011 prime tyre**: Medium (2010: Hard)
2011 option tyre**: Soft (2010: Soft)

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
**Pirelli in 2011, Bridgestone in 2010

Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes

1961 Italian Grand Prix Highlights. Ricardo Rodriguez's first Formula 1 race. Phil Hill wins the race and becomes the first American Formula ! World Champion. His team mate, Von Tripps, is tragically killed along with 14 spectator's.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N2ezGlgKtM&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stTJlAuKsQM&feature=related

1961 Italian Grand Prix result No. Driver Team Laps Gap/Reason

1 2 Phil Hill Ferrari 43
2 46 Dan Gurney Porsche 43 31.2
3 12 Bruce McLaren Cooper-Climax 43 2’28.4
4 60 Jackie Lewis Cooper-Climax 43 2’40.4
5 26 Tony Brooks BRM-Climax 43 2’40.5
6 40 Roy Salvadori Cooper-Climax 42 1 Lap
7 74 Carol Godin de Beaufort Porsche 41 2 Laps
8 62 Lorenzo Bandini Cooper-Maserati 41 2 Laps
9 48 Maurice Trintignant Cooper-Maserati 41 2 Laps
10 16 Tim Parnell Lotus-Climax 40 3 Laps
11 20 Henry Taylor Lotus-Climax 39 4 Laps
12 58 Renato Pirocchi Cooper-Maserati 38 5 Laps
28 Stirling Moss Lotus-Climax 36 Wheel bearing
6 Richie Ginther Ferrari 23 Engine
72 Gaetano Starrabba Lotus-Maserati 19 Engine
44 Jo Bonnier Porsche 14 Suspension
8 Ricardo Rodriguez Ferrari 13 Fuel pump
32 Giancarlo Baghetti Ferrari 13 Engine
50 Nino Vaccarella De Tomaso-Alfa Romeo 13 Engine
22 Masten Gregory Lotus-Climax 11 Suspension
24 Graham Hill BRM-Climax 10 Engine
10 Jack Brabham Cooper-Climax 8 Overheating
14 Brian Naylor JBW-Climax 6 Engine
38 Innes Ireland Lotus-Climax 5 Chassis
30 Jack Fairman Cooper-Climax 5 Engine
42 John Surtees Cooper-Climax 2 Accident
4 Wolfgang von Trips Ferrari 1 Accident
36 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax 1 Accident
54 Roberto Bussinello De Tomaso-Alfa Romeo 1 Engine
52 Roberto Lippi De Tomaso-Osca 1 Engine
56 Wolfgang Seidel Lotus-Climax 1 Engine
18 Gerry Ashmore Lotus-Climax 0 Accident


The body of Wolfgang von Trips lies on the edge of the track with his wrecked car to the left. On the right is car No. 35 driven by Jim Clark, ITalian Grand Prix, Monza, September 10, 1961

With the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in sight, the Scuderia Ferrari is getting ready for the home race. In this edition of the Scuderia Ferrari Racing News Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa explain how to race on the fastest track in the Championship, what this race means for Ferrari and talk about their experiences her in Monza. Meanwhile Marc Gené explains a whole lap on the track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuRF_fd5PZM&feature=relmfu


Two shots of Lotuses at the Parabolica taken 47 years apart

Entire 1982 Italian Grand Prix.
BBC Commentary by Murray Walker and James Hunt with bits of German commentary by Heinz Pruller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfoOj2_RclY&NR=1


September 12, 1982 Autodromo Nazionale Monza | Lap distance 5.800 km

Pos Points No Driver Car Engine Tyres Laps Race Time Delay Qualifying Fastest Lap
1 9 16 René Arnoux (FRA) Renault RE30B Renault EF1 Michelin 52 1:22'25.734 6 1'30.097 1 1'33.619 (25)
2 6 27 Patrick Tambay (FRA) Ferrari 126C2 Ferrari 126C Goodyear 52 1:22'39.798 +14.064 3 1'28.830 3 1'33.949 (35)
3 4 28 Mario Andretti (USA) Ferrari 126C2 Ferrari 126C Goodyear 52 1:23'14.186 +48.452 1 1'28.473 5 1'34.122 (37)
4 3 7 John Watson (GBR) McLaren MP4-1B Ford Cosworth DFV Michelin 52 1:23'53.579 +1'27.845 12 1'33.185 8 1'35.569 (37)
5 2 3 Michele Alboreto (ITA) Tyrrell 011 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 51 1:22'46.320 +1 lap 11 1'33.134 12 1'36.300 (40)
6 1 25 Eddie Cheever (USA) Ligier JS19 Matra MS81 Michelin 51 1:23'17.123 +1 lap 14 1'33.377 15 1'36.841 (35)
7 12 Nigel Mansell (GBR) Lotus 91 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 51 1:23'44.826 +1 lap 23 1'34.964 10 1'36.155 (39)
8 6 Keke Rosberg (FIN) Williams FW08 Ford Cosworth DFV Goodyear 50 1:23'03.997 +2 laps 7 1'31.834 6 1'34.813 (42)
9 10 Eliseo Salazar (CHI) ATS D5 Ford Cosworth DFV Michelin 50 1:23'19.852 +2 laps 25 1'34.991 18 1'37.597 (47)
10 22 Andrea de Cesaris (ITA) Alfa Romeo 182 Alfa Romeo 1260 Michelin 50 1:23'24.877 +2 laps 9 1'32.546 7 1'35.291 (39)
11 20 Chico Serra (BRA) Fittipaldi F9 Ford Cosworth DFV Pirelli 49 1:23'00.813 +3 laps 26 1'35.230 21 1'39.887 (25)
12 30 Mauro Baldi (ITA) Arrows A5 Ford Cosworth DFV Pirelli 49 1:23'16.313 +3 laps 24 1'34.977 20 1'39.827 (44)

The view from the finish line towards turn one, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 8, 2011

The old banking joins the current circuit at the start-finish straight, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 8, 2011

Infiniti and Red Bull Racing Italian GP Preview :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA65Tr1oo24&feature=related


BBC Ferrari Special - Monza 2011 (John Surtees & Fernando Alonso)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpToeAzotw

The Tifosi are famous for their passionate support of Ferrari @ Monza. In Italian, Monza is called La Pista Magica .

Thursday morning press conference @ Monza - Liuzzi, Kobayayshi, Trulli, Webber, Alonso & Massa 09.08.11

Schumacher is mobbed by enthusiastic tifosi as he signs autographs during the annual pit walkabout @ Monza, while track security and the local police try to hold them all back. Schumacher, despite not being as dominant during his former Benneton & Ferrari glory days, is still a huge draw in F1.
Monza, 09.08.11

1988 Italian Grand Prix Finish
Another Ferrari 1-2 Finish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ3e4tRpCKE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLC43ECAEA3D7E44AD

1989 Italian Grand Prix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZ6BGS1Sak&feature=related

1998 Italian Grand Prix video highlights that saw Ferrari finish 1-2 with Schumacher & Irvine @ Monza, la pista magica.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm-TYjO3aso&feature=related

2004 Italian Grand Prix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrv3PslplY&feature=related

 

[Big Eggy]

RMS your a legend! who cares if Sky get the UK coverage with posts like this ^^^

sorry for my lack of input the last few weeks been mega busy at work.. back to normal pace now so i can skive and get back into things.

Great links! i really enjoyed the F1 the Killer Years, it was on the BBC iplayer which was a nice saturday morning supprise.

I was thinking the other day what could be the next big trick designers could use to give them the edge. Is there any thing that says they can't have a heated wheel system during qualifiying to get the tyers up to temp quicker?

Cant wait for Tomorrow!!! I might not watch it live as they BBC Iplayer through a PS3 is now offering HD Streams.. it's not 720p but dosn't look far off.

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Friday Qualifying Results FP1 & FP2

Friday Qualifying Results FP1 & FP2

Friday Practice Session 1

POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIME

1. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.865
2. Jenson Button Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.786
3. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 1:25.231
4. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1:25.459
5. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes 1:26.550
6. Vitaly Petrov Russia Renault 1:26.625
7. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 1:26.647
8. Fernando Alonso Spain Ferrari 1:26.676
9. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 1:26.694
10. Sergio Perez Mexico Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.696
11. Jaime Alguersuari Spain Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:26.699
12. Michael Schumacher Germany Mercedes GP 1:26.826
13. Nico Hulkenberg Germany Force India-Mercedes 1:26.996
14. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Williams-Cosworth 1:27.365
15. Kamui Kobayashi Japan Sauber-Ferrari 1:27.385
16. Pastor Maldonado Venezuela Williams-Cosworth 1:27.433
17. Bruno Senna Brazil Renault 1:27.492
18. Sebastien Buemi Switzerland Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:27.743
19. Nico Rosberg Germany Mercedes GP 1:27.492
20. Heikki Kovalainen Finland Lotus-Renault 1:29.539
21. Karun Chandhok India Lotus-Renault 1:30.148
22. Daniel Ricciardo Australia HRT-Cosworth 1:30.609
23. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy HRT-Cosworth 1:30.619
24. Timo Glock Germany Virgin-Cosworth 1:31.052
25. Jerome d'Ambrosio Belgium Virgin-Cosworth 1:31.899


Sebastian Vettel exits the second chicane, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 9, 2011

Friday Practice Session 2

POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIME

1. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 1:24.010
2. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.048
3. Michael Schumacher Germany Mercedes GP 1:24.347
4. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 1:24.366
5. Fernando Alonso Spain Ferrari 1:24.433
6. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1:24.468
7. Jenson Button Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.508
8. Sergio Perez Mexico Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.097
9. Kamui Kobayashi Japan Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.182
10. Bruno Senna Brazil Renault 1:25.325
11. Vitaly Petrov Russia Renault 1:25.450
12. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes 1:25.496
13. Paul di Resta Britain Force India-Mercedes 1:25.683
14. Jaime Alguersuari Spain Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.758
15. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Williams-Cosworth 1:26.202
16. Pastor Maldonado Venezuela Williams-Cosworth 1:26.353
17. Sebastien Buemi Switzerland Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:26.347
18. Jarno Trulli Italy Lotus-Renault 1:28.559
19. Heikki Kovalainen Finland Lotus-Renault 1:28.605
20. Timo Glock Germany Virgin-Cosworth 1:28.804
21. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy HRT-Cosworth 1:29.162
22. Nico Rosberg Germany Mercedes GP 1:29.184
23. Jerome d'Ambrosio Belgium Virgin-Cosworth 1:29.622
24. Daniel Ricciardo Australia HRT-Cosworth 1:29.841


Security guards watch Fernando Alonso from the old banking, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 9, 2011

Drivers return to the pits after their installation laps, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 9, 2011

Bruno Senna attacks the Parabolica, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 9, 2011

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Vettel On Pole @ Monza

Vettel On Pole @ Monza

Sebastian Vettel claimed his tenth pole position of the season for the Italian Grand Prix @ Monza. The two Mclaren driver's, Hamilton and Button were second and third. Ferrari driver and two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso was able to qualify fourth to keep the Tifosi hopes alive for a home team win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrItYjcnN2s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jA_0PQU6Gc&feature=channel_video_title

With this achievement, Vettel is the first driver since Ayrton Senna to
win 10 or more pole's in multiple season's. For the record, Senna had three mutiple 10+ pole season's.

2011 Italian GP (Monza): Formula One Qualifying Results

Pos No Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps

1 1 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:24.002 1:22.914 1:22.275 15
2 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.976 1:23.172 1:22.725 16
3 4 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.013 1:23.031 1:22.777 17
4 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:24.134 1:23.342 1:22.841 18
5 2 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:24.148 1:23.387 1:22.972 14
6 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:24.523 1:23.681 1:23.188 17
7 10 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:24.486 1:23.741 1:23.530 19
8 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:25.108 1:23.671 1:23.777 13
9 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:24.550 1:23.335 1:24.477 17
10 9 Bruno Senna Renault 1:24.914 1:24.157 20
11 15 Paul Di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:24.574 1:24.163 15
12 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:24.595 1:24.209 18
13 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:24.975 1:24.648 19
14 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:24.798 1:24.726 16
15 17 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.113 1:24.845 17
16 18 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:25.164 1:24.932 18
17 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.879 1:25.065 16
18 19 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:25.334 11
19 21 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1:26.647 12
20 20 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1:27.184 13
21 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:27.591 9
22 25 Jerome DAmbrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:27.609 11
23 22 Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1:28.054 12
24 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1:28.231 11

Q1 107% Time 1:29.854

Post Qualifying Press Conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBBtmr_eFXM&feature=channel_video_title


Vettel Interviewed on the BBC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJUtGAriqAU&feature=related


Paul Hembrey Interview Pirelli: BBC F1 2011 - Round 13: Italian GP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plGeKfYFqXE&feature=related


Red Bull prepares for some pit stop practice ahead of qualifying, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 10, 2011

F1 2011 Italy - Vettel Pole Position Lap Onboard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e_kyhOBA5I&feature=channel_video_title


The Ferraris pass under the old banking, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, September 10, 2011

 

[Rocky Mtn Squid]

Vettel's Low Straight Line Speed May Leave Him Vulnerable

Vettel's Low Straight Line Speed May Leave Him Vulnerable

Here is an excellent article from F1Fanantic-The Formula1 Blog by Keith Collantine.


Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing drives during the final practice session prior to qualifying for the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on September 10, 2011 in Monza, Italy. According to FIA telemtery, his car is 21 KPH slower than the fastest car. His lower top end speed will leave him vulnerable in the DRS zones.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/09/10/2011-italian-grand-prix-prerace-analysis/

With his tenth pole position of 2011, Sebastian Vettel is on course for victory at Monza.

But will his poor straight-line speed leave him vulnerable to attack from the likes of McLaren and Ferrari?

Vettel’s lack of straight-line speed could hurt him is at the start. The long-straight run to the first corner makes it difficult to defend a sluggish getaway.

Last year Jenson Button took the lead having started second on the grid alongside Fernando Alonso.

Quick opening laps have been key to Vettel’s advantage this year. If he can hold the lead at the start, his first priority will be to get more than a second clear of his pursuers so he is impervious to their DRS attacks.

The positioning of the two DRS activation zones may come to his aid here, as they are both after quick corners where his advantage should be at its greatest.

Keep an eye on Michael Schumacher at the start as well: he’s gained places in his last four starts.

As for Lewis Hamilton, if he makes it around Lesmo 1 he’ll already be doing better than he did last year.

Vettel’s straight-line speed disadvantageA crucial element of this race is whether Vettel’s comparatively poor straight line speed will leave him vulnerable. Here are some of the top speeds from qualifying:

1. Sergio Perez 349.2
2. Bruno Senna 347.2
3. Vitaly Petrov 344.8
4. Felipe Massa 342.3
5. Fernando Alonso 342.2
11. Nico Rosberg 339.5
14. Michael Schumacher 338.7
18. Mark Webber 336.1
20. Jenson Button 333.1
21. Lewis Hamilton 332.7
24. Sebastian Vettel 327.7

In race conditions, with DRS closed most of the time, these figures will change considerably. But they give an insight into what speeds drivers can reach when they get the DRS open for overtaking.

Vettel may be over 21kph slower than Perez in a straight line, but the gap to his closest pursuers – the McLaren duo – is far less, around 5kph.

Last year Button went into the race with an 11.5kph speed deficit to Alonso, yet was able to keep the Ferrari behind until the pit stops.

Ferrari’s straight line speed looks very good, though possibly exaggerated slightly by slipstreaming in qualifying. Coupled with their race pace, which is reliably better than their qualifying pace, and warm track conditions, they could have a strong race.

Tyres

The medium tyres were Ferrari’s weakness in Spa, while McLaren and Red Bull managed them well. They will all start on softs, as will Schumacher.

But, unusually, Nico Rosberg will start on medium tyres having used them in Q3.

This also means he has saved a set of fresh soft tyres to use during the race. This raises the prospect of Rosberg attacking on soft tyres late in the race when everyone else is getting their mandatory stint on mediums out of the way.

He will be vulnerable at the start of the race and will have to make sure he doesn’t lose too much time. But a safety car period could play into his hands later on.

Monza is not a particularly demanding circuit for tyres. And with teams now required not to exceed Pirelli’s maximum allowable camber limit the concerns over blistering seen in Spa are not likely to resurface.