The Official 2014 Italian GP Thread ***Spoilers***

[Vaud]

OK, I'm going to be brave after the car crash of the Spa thread (post race) and start this one.

Qualifying:
Rosberg
Hamilton
Bottas

Race:
Bottas
Ricciardo
Rosberg

[Vaud]

It's a great track, some good races, amazing crowd and atmosphere - been there 3 times. Love the GA tickets and sitting with the locals in the heat... then walking the track at the end of the race... before a slightly sunburned walk to the station, train to hotel and a relaxing evening with the smell and echoes of the track still so prominent. With pizza and an Italian red of course...

[Vaud]

Gaz. said:

Monza is on my bucket list, it's just that things don't always work out. Nice part of the world too.

It's also one of the cheapest GPs to attend and can be combined with some lovely driving in the Swiss and French alps... Land in Geneva, Nice or similar and make it a long weekend...

[Vaud]

I hope for a great race.



Light chance of rain...

[Vaud]

Speed Badger said:

Will Juan-Pablo Montoya's record highest average speed lap of 262.242kmh / 162.9mph set in 2004 be broken?

Think McLaren will be quick this weekend.

Not sure they will be. Red Bull in low down force looked quick at Spa. I'd put Mercedes, Williams and RB ahead of Mclaren right now.

[Vaud]

Norfolkit said:

Humid as well today at the pit walk, looked like rain but didn't. Usual chaos trying to get to the track. Same friendly cosmopolitan crowd as ever.

Always a great crowd at Monza. Passionate fans and whilst a majority of locals are probably tifosi of Ferrari, they have a lot of respect for great drivers and heritage. They always loved Nigel M.. "il leone"

[Vaud]

wevster said:

If the FIA were consistent then Nico should have had a drive though, the incident is very similar to when Hamilton hit Massa at the Singapore GP in 2011. They have relaxed the rules a bit this year, maybe they have relaxed them too far?

Stewards can never win.

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pauloroberto said:

Flying out tomorrow for my first Grand Prix! Look out for me in the ferrari hat.
Can you take a rucksack in to the circuit?

Yes. No issues. Might be inspected at entrance but probably not. Very relaxed circuit. It was for me in 2009 and 2012.

[Vaud]

Does anyone think that Ferrari might be going all out and risking a whole power plant for this race? i.e. run to the max with no view on reliability other than this one race?

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stevesingo said:

Limits to boost pressure were introduced.

I know we are set on the current power units.

I do however wonder, what kind of power we would see from this engine formulae:

1 litre
supercharging and turbocharging allowed, no boost limits
20k rpm limit
5 engines for the season
Unlimited fuel for weekend, 200l for race

peaky, undriveable grenades?

[Vaud]

garyhun said:

Nor me - always thought circa 200 mph was the limit.

I always remember 220mph being peak, 230 was a surprise.

Just checked - unofficial straightline max is 413 km/h (257 mph) with a BAR007. FIA ratified record is 400 km/h (249 mph) but the car would not have passed scruitineering as it had a rudder for stability.

But interesting to see just how fast an F1 car could go with the peak 3l engines, albeit in slightly artificial scenarios - no bends

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deadslow said:

Vaud said:

Does anyone think that Ferrari might be going all out and risking a whole power plant for this race? i.e. run to the max with no view on reliability other than this one race?

yep

Cough.

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tonybhr said:

Ricciardo is the real deal isn't he.

Yes.

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Derek Smith said:

A thrilling race and I have to say that the most impressive driver this year is DR.

Well done.

I think Bottas has been great as well. Tough call for me between DR and VB.

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F1GTRUeno said:

That was nice to watch. Love Ricciardo, hate Vettel.

I'm always bemused by the tribal nature that F1 seems to be increasingly adopted. I rate all the drivers as being close or at the top of their game, I'm bemused by anyone using the word "hate" for a leading sportsman.

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F1GTRUeno said:

It's easier to hate a spoilt brat who is seen to have the sun shining out his arse by most.

Like Messi in football, you support who you support.

I respect his obvious talents though.

And the tribal nature of football is an aspect I hoped F1 was resisting.

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Hungrymc said:

If he comes second to Lewis in another couple of races he'll get very twitchy. Don't believe for a second that either of them will give away points cheaply. After Lewis's bad start, I think Nico will be smarting a little that Lewis was able to reel him in and then open a gap. But Nico is no mug and he's faster than he gets credit for .... There is a long way to go yet.

Agreed. Doesn't LH have to take an engine penalty at some point or did I misremember?

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Crafty_ said:

He and Nico were equal heading before Spa: https://twitter.com/SomersF1/status/50241513057628...

Well Lewis has used one more ES but yes, pretty similar. Thanks - hadn't seen that before. Vettel, Sutil, Kimi and Maldonardo all looking at risk for last races.

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MGJohn said:

Why so little mention of Bottas? Drive of the day for me and there were several very good drives today.

Enjoyed the race.

I think MAS and RIC were stronger on the day as drives go. Solid, consistent drive from Bottas but not exceptional. V happy for Massa on the podium in Italy, fully deserved. Fairly uncluttered Martini colours look good on the podium.

I think 2015 will be good now for Williams from a funding POV whatever happens in the balance of the season. I wonder which mid field sponsors they can lure.