07/09/2014
NEWS STORY
They took away the banked loop, they added a few chicanes, over the years they have continued to tinker but still the Autodromo Nazionale Monza demands respect.
Looked at on a map, it looks relatively easy, a series of very fasts straights, a couple of big corners and three chicanes to keep a check on speeds.
Yet the Parabolica and the Curva Grande are still corners you take by the seats of your pants, whilst entering the first chicane, Ascari and said Parabolica, having hit speeds in excess of 200 mph demands blind faith in your car, especially the brakes.
It's a heart-breaker, a car-breaker and a ball breaker. They talk of ghosts, and that's because since the circuit was first built in the 1920s all the greats have raced here... and some perished.
The old banked circuit even played host to a couple of races in which USAC went head-to-head with F1, and whilst it was dropped for F1 after 1961 it continued to be used for Sports Car racing until 1969.
When you talk of Monza you talk of passion, history, speed, bravery and, yes tragedy. Over the years many have perished here; drivers, spectators and officials... most recently race marshal Paolo Gislimberti losing his life when hit by debris in a crash at the second chicane at the start of the 2000 Grand Prix.
As we prepare to head off to some of the newer, more grotesque and entirely artificial additions to the calendar, it is only fitting that following the majestic Spa we are at the Temple of Speed.
And talking of Spa, and that followed, as the media focusses on what might happen at the first chicane today, let's not forget that Monza - even at its most dangerous - uses to feature battles of four, five, six cars, all slipstreaming one another, three or four abreast as they exited the Parabolica. No artificial grass verges or white lines then, nor the need for drivers to be warned about silliness.
Despite the fact that we do not want to be drawn into the media frenzy surrounding the possibility of the Mercedes duo taking one another out at the first chicane, or even the second, the fact is that there is a distinct possibility. Though both are under clear orders from the team about such incidents, ignoring the fact that they are ultra-competitive, let's not forget that on the opening lap they will be under intense pressure from the Williams and McLarens.
On paper the race will last around 75 minutes and will feature just one pit-stop apiece, we cannot even rely on the weather god to intervene. However, while the Safety Car hasn't made an appearance for the last two years, it is a regular here having been brought out in four of the previous five years.
Whilst Lewis Hamilton needs to win in order to close the 29 point gap to Nico Rosberg, the German merely has to follow the example of his father in his winning season and keep adding to his tally. Whilst the Mercedes has looked awesome this weekend, its reliability is increasingly suspect, and let's not forget Hamilton's previous issues with brakes.
Newly confirmed for 2015, Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas will want to thank Williams and where better, the FW36 looking very strong here. In danger of being entirely eclipsed by his teammate, the Brazilian could do well with a good result here... and the tifosi will always have a soft spot for him.
With Ron Dennis intently studying the driver market, and possibly hoping his protégé Hamilton might upset his Mercedes bosses, Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen also have something to prove today. The McLaren has looked strong all weekend and ahead of a whole slew of circuits that won't suit the MP4-29 this is probably the Woking outfit's 2014 swan song.
It's unsurprising that with the first three rows filled with Mercedes-powered runners, Fernando Alonso is the first driver in a car not sporting a three-[pointed star somewhere on its chassis but rather a black horse. Once again, the Spaniard totally belies the true competitiveness of the F14T.
With its aero advantage totally negated here, Red Bull was always going to struggle, but nonetheless it's strange to see Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo starting from eighth and ninth.
Following a difficult start to the weekend, Sergio Perez did well to qualify tenth, Force India seemingly the least competitive Mercedes-powered car here. That said, the Mexican and his German teammate are a good bet to add a few more points to the teams tally.
The battle behind the leading ten will be ferocious, though Kimi Raikkonen will want to make his way up to join his teammate as soon as possible, the Finn having lost out to traffic and poor strategy in Q2.
With Kvyat demoted to the back of the grid, courtesy of the new power unit rules, Jean-Eric Vergne has the opportunity to impress prospective employers and add to Toro Rosso's points tally at what is its home race.
Sauber looks set for another 'pointless' afternoon, as does the woeful Lotus, whilst Marussia and Caterham look set for a long afternoon.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to make their way to the grid, most completing a couple of out laps.
The most likely winning strategy will be to start on the medium (option) tyre and then switch to the hard (prime) on lap 23. Starting on the hard tyre and then switching to medium on lap 30 gives the same theoretical race time, but there is a bigger risk of traffic. If track temperatures turn out to be slightly higher than expected, those starting on the medium tyre may pit a little sooner: at around the lap 18-20 mark.
There are two DRS zones. The detection point for the first zone is 95m before Turn 7, with the activation point 210m after Turn 7, while the second detection point is 20m before Turn 11, with the activation point 115m after the finish line.
Should you believe in such things, the last time Hamilton started from pole position was at Barcelona. By the same token, the last time the Briton held the championship lead was following the Spanish Grand Prix.
Despite being one of the most expensive events on the calendar the Grand Prix is usually well attended however, there are a surprisingly large number of gaps in the grandstands all around the track.
On the grid Mercedes change the front wing on Hamilton's car, having been damaged on its way to the grid.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 44 degrees. It is bright and sunny, typically Monza.
All are on the option rubber bar Hulkenberg, Sutil, Gutierrez, Grosjean, Kvyat and Ericsson who all start on the prime (hard). Interesting move by Force India for Hulkenberg.
They head off on the warm-up lap, all get away cleanly. All bar Ericsson who starts from the pitlane following his yellow flag infringement in FP3.
They're away. A brilliant start from Rosberg whilst Hamilton is slow to get away and loses a couple of positions. An even worse start for Bottas who slips back down the order. All get through the first and then second chicane with no problems other than Ricciardo and Gutierrez who miss the first chicane.
It's Rosberg, Magnussen, Massa, Hamilton, Vettel, Button, Perez, Alonso, Hulkenberg and Bottas at the end of lap 1.
With Vettel also over him, Hamilton complains of a problem with his energy recovery. Rosberg leads Magnussen by 1.4s.
"Looks like everything's in a muddle," Hamilton is told, "just leave it for a minute."
Out front, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap as Massa is told to use DRS to overtake Magnussen. The Brazilian, all over the Finn, has his mirrors full of Mercedes.
After just three laps it's a typical Monza crocodile, the entire field strung out along the pit straight.
As Magnussen and Massa battle for second, Hamilton is right behind them. The Brazilian nails the Finn on the run to the second chicane, Hamilton also passing the McLaren.
As Rosberg posts another fastest lap (29.711), Bottas is battling Hulkenberg for tenth whilst Raikkonen is battling Perez for eighth. The Finn passes the German.
Game over for Chilton who is in the gravel at the second chicane. Replay shows him losing the car after hitting the inside kerb.
Now in clear air, Massa is the fastest man on track, albeit 3.8s down on the leader.
Hulkenberg is now passed by Ricciardo, the German clearly struggling. Elsewhere, teammate Perez now has a 2.2s advantage over Raikkonen.
Rosberg gets it all wrong and out-brakes himself at the first chicane, he has to use the escape road. A totally unforced mistake from the race leader.
Bottas passes Raikkonen but subsequently runs wide and is re-passed by the Ferrari.
0.3s down on Massa, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (29.495). He subsequently nails the Brazilian at the first chicane, much to the delight of the crowd. There is a 2.3s gap between the two Mercedes now.
At the end of lap 9, Gutierrez is the first driver to pit, swapping from prime to option.
Hamilton posts another fastest lap (29.306) as he closes to within 2.2s of his teammate.
After ten laps, it's: Rosberg, Hamilton, Massa, Magnussen, Vettel, Button, Alonso, Perez, Bottas and Raikkonen. Kvyat is up to fifteenth.
Next time around Rosberg responds with his own fastest lap (29.173) as he maintains a 2.2s lead.
Replay shows a close encounter involving Bianchi and Grosjean as they battle for eighteenth.
Magnussen has Vettel and Button in hot pursuit, whilst Perez and Bottas are all over Alonso.
Under braking for the first chicane, Bottas nails Perez to take eighth.
A string of fast laps for Hamilton as he closes to within 1.6s of his teammate.
Masa is told that he is pressing the brakes whilst on throttle in T5.
Bottas nails Alonso on the pit straight to take seventh, courtesy of DRS and sheer Mercedes grunt.
Separated by 1.4s, the Mercedes are lapping just three-thousandths of a second different to one another.
As Vettel hounds Magnussen, Bottas closes on Button. The Finn makes short work on the McLaren driver on the pit straight.
Hamilton is told that he is getting a tow (from Rosberg) but whilst this means he is quicker on the straights he is losing speed in certain corners.
At the end of lap 18, Vettel dives into the pits. He rejoins in 15th 25.176s later. Replay shows a massive lock-up for the Red Bull champion as he entered the pitlane.
Next time around Perez pits as does teammate Hulkenberg who started on the prime.
As Raikkonen pits, at the end of lap 20, Bottas makes short work of Magnussen and the usual spot, the run up to the first chicane.
Magnussen and Alonso both pit at the end of lap 21, Maldonado also. Magnussen rejoins in tenth, behind Vettel, and Alonso twelfth, the Spaniard losing out to Perez.
Button, currently fifth, pits at the end of lap 22, rejoining in eleventh just ahead of Alonso.
Third placed Masa pits at the end of lap 23 as Maldonado goes off at the second Lesmo but is able to continue. He rejoins in fifth.
As Rosberg pits, at the end of lap 24, Hamilton is told "it's Hammer time". The German rejoins in second, 23.181s down on his teammate. Vergne and Bottas also pit. The Finn rejoins midst the Vettel/Magnussen battle.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 25, rejoining 1.899s behind his Mercedes teammate.
Having lost out on rejoining the race, Bottas now has it all to do again. He nails Perez for eighth.
After 26 laps, it's: Rosberg, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Massa, Kvyat, Vettel, Magnussen, Perez, Bottas and Button. However, Ricciardo and Kvyat have yet to stop.
"The race will be at the end," Hamilton is told. "Get the benefit of the tow without losing downforce. We're going to need the tyres at the end." In response, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (28.330).
Next time around Hamilton posts another fastest lap (28.053). As he visibly closes on his teammate, Rosberg makes another mistake at the first chicane, again he has to take to the escape road, much to the delight of the crowd. Hamilton leads.
All over for Alonso who stops at the first chicane, the Spaniard's perfect record for 2014 comes to an end.
Hamilton already has a 2.1s lead over his Mercedes teammate however, we wait to see whether tyres will decide the race later on. Indeed, Rosberg is told to save his fuel and tyres for the "attack at the end".
At the end of lap 30, Kvyat finally pits as Bottas and Magnussen have a little moment at the first chicane. The Finn has to cut the chicane to avoid an incident.
After 31 laps, it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Massa, Vettel, Magnussen, Bottas, Perez, Button, Raikkonen and Ricciardo.
Great scraps between Magnussen and Bottas and Perez and Button as Hamilton now leads by 2.9s.
"Keep it clean Checo," Perez is told as continues to battle with Button.
A nice move from Ricciardo sees the Australian snatch tenth from Raikkonen. Might we see Ferrari fail to score a single point on home turf.
The stewards are investigating the Bottas/Magnussen incident.
"It's going to get pretty tasty out there," Ricciardo is told. "Let's get amongst it."
Hamilton and Rosberg currently separated by 4s but the German appears to be lapping round about the same time as his teammate.
Behind Vettel, who is 17.7s down on Massa, Magnussen, Bottas, Perez and Button continue to scrap for fifth.
A great move sees Bottas take fifth from Magnussen, a brave, bold move into the first chicane.
At the end of lap 53, Gutierrez makes his second stop of the day.
Magnussen is handed a 5-second stop and go for forcing Bottas off track. A sad end to a strong performance from the Finn.
Lovely move from Button who passes Perez at the first chicane but the Mexican subsequently fights back and runs wide in the second chicane. They head into the first Lesmo side-by-side, Button giving way to the forceful Mexican. All of which has allowed Ricciardo to catch up.
As Bottas nails Vettel to take fourth, so Ricciardo nails Button to take eighth.
"You know what he did to me," complains Perez. "I did, you were brilliant," comes the response.
Now the Mexican has Ricciardo to worry about, the Australian is far more determined and forceful than Button and makes short work of the Force India.
So, after 43 laps it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Masa, Bottas, Vettel, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Perez, Button and Raikkonen.
Battle resumes between Perez and Button and once again they are wheel to wheel, the Force India driver holding his own. On the pit-wall Vijay Mallya is clearly loving it.
Magnussen has nothing to give as Ricciardo closes in and takes sixth. The Australian is now 2.866s behind his Red Bull teammate.
In the midst off all this, Raikkonen has closed to within 1.9s of Button.
Out front, the gap between the Mercedes duo is steady at 4.2s. Both drivers continuing to post similar times.
Ricciardo is told that he is quicker than his teammate. "Go get him," he is urged.
Kvyat makes short work of Hulkenberg to take eleventh, the Russian now 6s down on Raikkonen.
Magnussen is told to up his pace as the stop and go penalty will see the 5s penalty added to his time.
A fantastic move my Ricciardo on Vettel at the first chicane but the German holds on. At the second chicane however, Ricciardo turns up the wick and there is on holding him, he's through. Other than sheer bravery, the fact that his tyres are seven laps fresher will have helped.
Magnussen, Perez and Button are now closing on Vettel, who was, you will remember, the first driver to pit for fresh rubber.
A massive lock up for Hamilton at the first chicane which brings the gap down to 4s.
Gutierrez has a right-rear puncture after a coming together with Grosjean and heads back to the pits.
Magnussen and Perez now at it hammer and tong as the gap between Hamilton and Rosberg is down to 3.2s.
Kvyat is all over Raikkonen but then loses it after carrying far too much speed into the first chicane. He is lucky not to have a very big accident. Missing the second chicane also it is clear he has a brake problem.
Hamilton takes the flag and with it seven points out of Rosberg's lead, the German apologising for the mistake that cost him the lead.
Massa takes a fine third, his first podium since Spain 2013, with teammate Bottas fourth, Williams thereby leapfrogging Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.
Ricciardo is fifth, ahead of teammate Vettel, whilst Perez is seventh ahead of Button, Raikkonen and Magnussen, courtesy of the Finn's penalty.
Kvyat is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Vergne, Maldonado, Sutil, Grosjean, Kobayashi, Bianchi, Gutierrez and Ericsson.
Though he will be bitterly disappointed to have made two unforced errors, Rosberg can at least console himself with the fact that his title hopes remain very much alive.
Whilst there were no real fireworks out front there was some terrific battling further back, the ghosts of Monza will be smiling.
Check out our race gallery, here.
Chris Balfe