RACE START: 14.00 UK TIME
WHERE: MONZA
WHY: Crazy starting grid, gravel back in parabolica, Max & Lewis comeback, underdogs at the front
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It's the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, in one of the most iconic tracks in the Motorsport World: this year, revamped, with more gravel traps added in multiple corners & sausage kerbs removed in the chicanes.
It's a unique track in F1's calendar: given the fast nature of the track, all teams (except for Haas 
) brings low downforce packages to maximize straightline speed.
Speeds of 350 km/h can be achieved using slipstreams, but as a result of the low downforce setup, corners become super tricky.
Car floats between the chicanes, making it hard for the drivers: it's essential to mantain a netural car balance even with the low downforce wings, in order to perform in the more technical sectors while being fast on the straights.
Decades of racing history, hundreds of drivers races these roads: lots found death here, others found eternal glory between the historic banked corners & the ultra fast sections.
Track was active since 1922, making it one of the oldest venues in the worlds of Motorsport.
From 1955 till the end of 60's, the banked section was used.
It was scary, with steep gradients, making it also attractive for the american drivers of Indianapolis.
In 1957 & 1958, the Monzanapolis was held there.
A 500 Miles Race, the italian version of the Indy 500: just two editions, but it was legendary, and plenty of drivers from all over the world came racing the banked corners.
NOWDAYS
Yesterday, it was a bonkers qualifying session, with all the Grid Penalty drama thing going on (not a fan!) & a close battle between Charles Leclerc & Max Verstappen for pole position.
In the end, it was the local idol Leclerc who got pole: the man in yellow wants to celebrate the Scuderia's 75 years of racing with another win on home soil.
About that quali showdown, let's see a good lap comparison between those two.
George Russel will start P2 for Mercedes, Carlos Sainz got 3rd on track, but he's one of those guys struck with massive penalties for components change.
Because of that, the two McLarens of Lando Norris and, back from the undead, Daniel Ricciardo will start respectively 3rd & 4th.
Pierre Gasly wants another maiden win in Monza, he'll start P5 ahead of Fernando Alonso's alpine.
Max Verstappen will start P7, penalized by 5 positions for components change: he'll start right ahead of Nyck The Quick, De Vries of Williams, replacing ill Albon!
Zhou Guanyu will start P9 for Alfa Romeo, ahead of the GOAT himself, Nicholas Latifi, fighting for his seat and his career today.
Big names at the back: Perez will start P13 for Red Bull, Carlos Sainz will start P18 for Ferrari & Sir Lewis Hamilton P19 for Mercedes.
The english legend will do his best to comeback from the last row & try to get a win, in memory of Queen Elizabeth, who sadly passed away this week.
Condolences to all the UK friends here, but let's enjoy a day of racing together!
Will we hear the english anthem today?
FINAL STARTING GRID
Here it is the final starting grid for the 2022 Monza Grand Prix.
Pretty mixed up, plenty of potential for a fun race. Who's your pick??
Tyre selection: given the high temperatures, we can expect red tyres to be used for the start of the race, than switching to yellow or even white for very long stints.
Race is one of the shortest of the season: the less pits, the better!
Who's going to take the 2022 Italian Grand Prix?
One of the most prestigious races of the year. Will it be another Max Verstappen masterclass?
Or can the local hero Leclerc take the win in front of the home crowd, after a serie of difficult races?
Imagine the scenes!
Or is it's going to be a day for the underdogs? Norris, Ricciardo, Gasly...who knows.
All to play for in Monza.
Let's race!
Edited by thegamer23, 11 September 2022 - 09:01.
