10.09.2007

MONZA - UNIQUE ON THE CALENDAR

PARK LIFE: Jarno amid the trees

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is the third oldest permanent circuit in the world, behind Brooklands in the UK and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the USA. Monza was built in 1922 and became famous first for its banking, which was abandoned when the drivers complained that it imposed severe stresses on cars and was too dangerous. After that, the track became known for its slipstreaming battles and witnessed the closest finish in F1 history when Peter Gethin won the 1971 Italian GP by 0.01s from Ronnie Peterson, who lost his life at the circuit seven years later. Today Monza is the only high-speed low downforce circuit left on the F1 calendar. “It demands a one-off set-up and, effectively, a different car,” said Toyota Senior General Manager, Chassis, Pascal Vasselon. “You could go to high downforce Monaco with a Barcelona set-up and survive, but go to Monza without a bespoke car and people will pass you like you are standing still.”

NEWS FROM OUR RIVALS

ON REFLECTION: TF107 in the visor of a Monza marshal

Lewis Hamilton’s championship lead was cut to just three points by reigning double champion Fernando Alonso, who became the season’s first four-time winner with his Italian GP victory. Kimi Raikkonen’s third place puts him 18 points off the championship lead and mechanical problems for Ferrari driver Felipe Massa mean that the Brazilian is now 23 points adrift. BMW Sauber maintained its 100% record of getting both cars through into Q3 and also consolidated its third place in the constructors’ championship. Nico Rosberg brought AT&T Williams to within 13 points of ING Renault in the battle for fourth place, while Panasonic Toyota Racing aims to close down the four point gap to Red Bull Racing in the remaining four grands prix, starting at Spa Francorchamps on September 16.

RACE REPORT

In a tremendously competitive midfield, Trulli was just 5s behind a place in the points and lost out narrowly to Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Rubens Barrichello, who all started behind the Toyota but gained ground at the start, ran longer stints and emerged from their only pit stops in front. Schumacher’s race was dictated by difficult practice and q ualifying days when he did not like the feel of the car over Monza’s high kerbs and only managed to qualify 18th.

“I did not get the best of starts and it was a very close battle with the cars around me,” Trulli said. “The car had good pace but it was unfortunate that I lost so much ground off the line. I could not utilise my speed in the traffic and then Button ran three laps further than me and Webber and Barrichello one more than that, so unfortunately there was nothing I could do. But it is always a special race for me here in Italy and a good atmosphere. I will go on to Spa next weekend and aim for points as usual.”

Ralf added: “I was always going to have a tough afternoon from 18th on the grid and, like Jarno, I lost out to cars which ran a longer first stint, so I will just have to put this one down to experience and focus on Spa, a track I always enjoy.”

The race was won by double world champion Fernando Alonso, who beat McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton into second place. Hamilton passed Kimi Raikkonen’s one-stopping Ferrari in the closing stages and BMW Sauber drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica finished fourth and fifth. Nico Rosberg equalled his best result of the season with sixth place, only ceding fifth to the delayed Kubica in the closing laps. Heikki Kovalainen scored his third seventh place of the season for ING Renault, with Jenson Button giving himself and Honda their second point of the season in eighth place.