2021 Italian Grand Prix - Monza, Sep 10 - 12

[Mogster]

Yep. Max definitely should cover Hamilton in terms of new engine implementation. Especially on such track like Monza, where overtaking is quite easy.

Why is Monza easy to overtake? Overtaking requires a tow. A low drag circuit has, almost by definition, a small amount of tow. DRS is similarly less effective.

Yes. For some reason Monza seems to viewed as an easy circuit to overtake, I’m not sure it is anymore.

[zibby43]

Zero chance Merc takes a new PU at Monza when they don’t have to.

Shovlin shared today that Hamilton’s PU1 was going to be done after Zandvoort FP2 anyway.

[Edax]

Yep. Max definitely should cover Hamilton in terms of new engine implementation. Especially on such track like Monza, where overtaking is quite easy.

Why is Monza easy to overtake? Overtaking requires a tow. A low drag circuit has, almost by definition, a small amount of tow. DRS is similarly less effective.

Isn’t it also a lot dependent on the corner leading to the straight and the length of the straight. With Monza you can follow quite close through Parabolica and you have a lot of space to work the tow and get alongside.

[Just_a_fan]

Yep. Max definitely should cover Hamilton in terms of new engine implementation. Especially on such track like Monza, where overtaking is quite easy.

Why is Monza easy to overtake? Overtaking requires a tow. A low drag circuit has, almost by definition, a small amount of tow. DRS is similarly less effective.

Isn’t it also a lot dependent on the corner leading to the straight and the length of the straight. With Monza you can follow quite close through Parabolica and you have a lot of space to work the tow and get alongside.

If the circuit was only the Parabolica and the start/finish straight, you'd have a point. But one has to be able to get close before Parabolica. And that isn't always that easy.

[Zynerji]

Why is Monza easy to overtake? Overtaking requires a tow. A low drag circuit has, almost by definition, a small amount of tow. DRS is similarly less effective.

Isn’t it also a lot dependent on the corner leading to the straight and the length of the straight. With Monza you can follow quite close through Parabolica and you have a lot of space to work the tow and get alongside.

If the circuit was only the Parabolica and the start/finish straight, you'd have a point. But one has to be able to get close before Parabolica. And that isn't always that easy.

I agree. A turn one overtake starts at the chicane before parabolica.

[holeindalip]

Anyone who thinks overtaking is easier here anymore should definitely rewatch the ‘20 race. The only car to make moves was Hamilton from first to last and worked his way back up to around 8th…

[zibby43]

Anyone who thinks overtaking is easier here anymore should definitely rewatch the ‘20 race. The only car to make moves was Hamilton from first to last and worked his way back up to around 8th…

True! It was on lap 28 that he had to serve a 10-sec stop/go. Think he finished 7th.

All things considered, he made up the ground relatively quickly. But his recovery in Hungary this year was better, but there was a lot of race left.

[zibby43]

DESPITE the fact that the PU can handle it. There’s simply no reason to, at **Monza** . . .

We live in an age of....... PIRELLI. The more downforce, if you could afford it, the more happier PIRELLI. Who could have afforded to run more wing?

Monza, 2018.
https://i.redd.it/dqzwucyoesh31.jpg

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pirel ... 4/5295034/

The combination of that, plus being trapped behind Valtteri Bottas, which meant his car was losing downforce and sliding more, ultimately triggered the blistering problems that proved so costly.

Monza, doesn't necessarily mean, drop downforce, especially if you can afford it. It's a desperate choice teams make to not load it for the fear of being eaten alive on the straights, not because, they like it. Yeah, there IS a reason.

Please tell me why an engineer for one of the top teams just told AMuS that they could almost run Monza without a rear wing, as the underfloor/diffuser downforce is enough to get the job done there.

[piast9]

Some of you have mentioned possible engine swap penalties. How do they work in the sprint qualifying weekend? I mean when they are applied? At the starting grid to the sprint race or the main race? Does the sprint race weekend format ant Monza make the part changes penalties less severe?

[Wouter]

Some of you have mentioned possible engine swap penalties. How do they work in the sprint qualifying weekend? I mean when they are applied? At the starting grid to the sprint race or the main race? Does the sprint race weekend format ant Monza make the part changes penalties less severe?

Grid penalties are always for the main race on Sunday.
The Sprint Race is the Qualifying for the main race.

[SiLo]

Surely Mercedes aren't taking a penalty here when they could be odds on for a win? Better to take one in Russia where I see it as easier to overtake for them.

[Wouter]

"For the second time, after the race at Silverstone, this event features the Sprint Qualifying format, that means
on Friday they go straight from one free practice session into qualifying, with parc ferme conditions,
so changes to the settings are not permitted."

I don't think this is a good thing. Normally they are allowed to change the settings after three free practice sessions and during qualifying.
Now that is not even allowed after FP1. So you only have an hour to get everything in order for the rest of the weekend.
If the settings are not correct, you will have bad luck in qualifying for the sprint race, which is the real qualification.
Moreover, FP2 on Saturday morning is of no use to them, because they are not allowed to change anything.
I think Parc Fermé should start after FP2.

[NathanOlder]

Surely Mercedes aren't taking a penalty here when they could be odds on for a win? Better to take one in Russia where I see it as easier to overtake for them.

Im not so sure, If Max is taking an engine change, then its the ideal to do the same. Take Sochi and Monza as the 2 best places to do it, Mercedes could see themelves as favourites for both. If Max takes a grid pen in Monza, he will probably qualify 3rd, start 13th, still finish 3rd. Mercedes start 1-2 and finish 1-2. So Lewis gains 10pts.

Then in Sochi, Mercedes take their new PU's. They qualify 1-2 with Max 3rd. Max starts 1st, Lewis and Bottas start 11th and 12th. Max wins with such a head start. Lewis finishes 2nd. Max gains 7pts. So over 2 races Lewis gains 3pts.

If they take the grid penalty walong with RedBull at monza, Lewis would start Monza 11th, to Max's 13th. Lewis still wins with Max 2nd or 3rd as I expect him to be better than Bottas getting through the field. So a 7pts gain for Lewis.

Then Sochi, no penalties, Mercedes favourite , and grab a 1-2, a 10pts gain. So over 2 races its a 17pts gain.

I know this depends on RedBulltaking a pen in Monza, and all cars starting cleanly and not being involved in an incident. But the theory is right and with such an advantage in pace over the 8 other teams, starting 11th in Monza is very win-able for Mercedes. The last race Max and Lewis (if he hadn't had taken the final pitstop for fastest lap) lapped the entire field such was their pace advantage!

[NathanOlder]

"For the second time, after the race at Silverstone, this event features the Sprint Qualifying format, that means
on Friday they go straight from one free practice session into qualifying, with parc ferme conditions,
so changes to the settings are not permitted."

I don't think this is a good thing. Normally they are allowed to change the settings after three free practice sessions and during qualifying.
Now that is not even allowed after FP1. So you only have an hour to get everything in order for the rest of the weekend.
If the settings are not correct, you will have bad luck in qualifying for the sprint race, which is the real qualification.
Moreover, FP2 on Saturday morning is of no use to them, because they are not allowed to change anything.
I think Parc Fermé should start after FP2.

I agree its not a good thing. But I thought parc ferme came in to play as you roll out the garage for Q1. And in a normal weekend you can't change the setup during Qualifying.

[f1316]

Alfa Romeo will have a new livery for Monza to celebrate Nino Farina"s WC in 1950. Check the photos out at Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen on Facebook.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gpblog ... monza.html

Kinda cool but you’d think it would be more predominantly red (given the 1950 Alfa was pure red). Maybe Ferrari wouldn’t like it? Bit silly if so imho.