Kubica fascinated by high top-speeds at Monza

From a driver's angle, the "Autodromo Nazionale di Monza" isn't the biggest challenge on the Formula One calendar. Nonetheless, Robert Kubica is fully aware that the high-speed circuit is going to take the BMW Sauber F1.08 to its very limits. Furthermore, Robert is fascinated by high top-speeds...

At the circuit located in the Royal Park, the drivers will have to cope with just eleven corners - seven right-handers and four left-handers - less than at any other venue on the F1 calendar. Therefore, the cars' straight-line performance is particularly important for gaining those crucial fractions of a second.

"Monza is one of the most challenging tracks for the cars," explains Kubica. "It is where we drive with the lowest downforce level and the highest top-speeds. The key factors at Monza are low drag, in order to reach the highest speeds possible without losing too much downforce, and good braking stability."

Therefore, the teams contest the Italian Grand Prix with an aero package that was specially designed for the Northern Italian 5.793-kilomtre circuit and is used nowhere else. "The track is unique because of some very long straights where we easily reach more than 300 kilometres per hour. There are some really famous corners such as Parabolica, Ascari or Lesmo, and they are faster than the first chicanes. But you have to approach them braking heavily."

A glance at the Formula One record books reveals that Monza suits Robert and the BMW Sauber F1 Team well: in 2006, Monza was the venue of Robert's maiden podium finish in Formula One and last year he was the fastest driver with a top speed of 351.7 km/h.