Italian GP : Race Preview

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is a permanent staple of the FF1M calendar having hosted races in all seasons. The Temple of Speed has played host to some memorable classics such as Alain Prost’s late race charge to deny Mauricio Gugelmin a maiden win in 1992, the first chicane carnage of 2000 where Ralf Schumacher managed to tip both MRD Racing cars upside down and shove his teammate off, and Jarno Trulli’s third and final FF1M championship in 2004, won with a last lap overtake for the lead.

Teams Championship to be decided?

Another double Tornado podium finish last time out at Spa-Francorchamps means that they have a chance to wrap up the teams championship if they secure 1-2 finish and if Mitchell only score one point. The way both teams’ seasons have turned out as 2017 has progressed, that could actually happen as Tornado have a hugely impressive record at Monza, plus both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were curiously off the pace in the last race. The reigning champion currently sits 3rd in the Drivers Championship, 31 points behind Vaino Kimminen and with the other Tornado of Romain Grosjean in between. The fourth contender, Fernando Alonso, seems more likely to challenge the two Tornado drivers having been in mix at Spa-Francorchamps, but ultimately had to play second fiddle and settle for 3rd in the race.

Mitchell’s lack of pace could in part be down to the Mugen engine, which didn’t feature particularly strongly aside from Alessandro Farina, who was genuinely quick in qualifying and in the race before clunking the Bus Stop chicane kerbs and bouncing into the concrete wall. His teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, also crashed out at Les Fagnes, capping off an utterly miserable meeting for Gojira, who must surely be looking forward to 2018 with the dynamic young line-up of Farina and James Clark. Conversely, CBA Racing had reasons to smile as Tomas Gonzalez put in a good drive from 15th on the grid to finish 5th. The Argentine’s future teammate, Mason Taylor, was also on good form in FF2M after a brave double overtake into the Bus Stop rewarded him with a feature race win.

Paddock News

It was announced that existing teams on the 2017 grid who have chosen to build new cars for 2018 can now shift aerodynamic development onto their 18 cars after the Belgian Grand Prix. It is understood that three teams will carry across their current cars into the 2018 season with two of those teams planning to run 16C models. Aerodynamic budget spends suggest a potential return to form for Willows Racing in 2018, particularly with Max Verstappen and Romain Grosjean teaming up, but it very much depends on what Judd can bring to the table.

Meanwhile for this race Climax have finally taken their second engine upgrade of the season and will have a new ICE, ERS and CE whilst Hart have taken their third engine upgrade of the season and will have a new ICE.

More records to chase for Tornado

As previously mentioned, Tornado’s record at Monza is mighty with a total of 10 wins and 20 podiums finishes. In fact, not since 2006 has a Tornado not been on the podium here, and even then, they were only a second off of the rostrum. They were gifted last season’s win after Kevin Magnussen threw away victory and ultimately the Drivers Championship by crashing out at Ascari in the closing stages. Furthermore, FJR have a few scores to settle with the Italian Grand Prix with a number of races beset with bad luck for the team. 1992 saw both Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert retire on lap 2 thanks to Jean Alesi’s stupidity, with Herbert refusing the leave the car until after the chequered flag, and 2012 saw both Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen be victims of Lucas Di Grassi’s petulance when an errant wheel destroyed both their front wings and forced them to do an entire lap before pitting. FJR are one team developing a new car for 2018, but although they have the opportunity to develop next year’s aerodynamics, they are apparently “going for it” in this meeting.

Support Races

Driver changes continue in FF2M with the recently ousted Lance Stroll moving to STV Racing in place of Welshman Benjamin Pryor. Monza always throws up something special regardless of the series so expect two races of high excitement this weekend.