I think we'll put in a good performance at Monza - Heidfeld

The 2006 Italian GP was the first race the BMW Sauber F1 Team contested at the "Autodromo Nazionale di Monza". Nevertheless, it did well. Nick Heidfeld recalls last year's Italian GP and describes the track layout.

"Monza is a very special circuit,", says the German. "It's the only real high-speed track left on the Formula One calendar. We hit speeds of up to 350 kph on the straights, higher speeds than at any other venue. Monza has a lot of tradition and character but unfortunately, some of its safety provisions are a little outdated. Given the high speeds we are driving at the run-off areas are pretty small."

In the 2007 Formula One season to date, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has delivered particularly well on fast tracks such as Montreal, where Heidfeld finished third. Monza is regarded as the ultimate engine track on the calendar. Consequently, Nick thinks that the Munich and Hinwil based squad will have a good chance of securing a great result in the Italian Grand Prix. "I think we'll put in a good performance at Monza," he admits. "It's a circuit where a good low-downforce package is vital and we are usually pretty strong in that area. The other thing you need is a lot of engine power and I think we'll be okay in that area too."

"We were right up there at Monza in 2006. I was 'only' third in qualifying but that was on a heavy fuel load. Had everybody been carrying the same amount of fuel, I would most likely have been on pole. In the race itself, I managed to get a point despite having to come in for a drive-through penalty."