F1Krof wrote: ↑09 Sep 2022, 09:26
This is going to be pretty close to Spa. Verstappen without engine penalties will lap everybody up to 3rd or 4th place.
The only glimmer of hope of this not being the case is the different aero philosophies (and ride height compromises) required between Spa and Monza. It does seem to be the case that the ride height adjustments made by nearly the entirety of the grid at Spa greatly affected the gap of the Red Bulls to the rest.
I know Monza has typically been a processional type race in the recent past (10 or so years), but I am very curious (maybe more so optimistically hopeful?) to see how the new cars change that. We should be seeing cars being able to stick right tight to the leading car through the parabolica, which again should bring about a better overtaking opportunity. The teams must be thinking this way as well, if they are electing to take a bunch of grid penalties here. Then again Singapore is next on the list, and you sure as heck don't want to be taking any self-inflicted penalties there, so Monza may just be the compromise.
Side note... I got the chance to visit Monza (and Imola) when I was across the pond back in July. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of walking the inner workings of the track, and along/behind the old track and banking. Simply surreal. I couldn't even walk up past the half way point of the banking because of how severe an angle it is at. I would have had to crawl the rest of the way!
Bonus points for whoever did the Montoya graffiti