Tifosi time at Monza

For six decades the tifosi – those red clad Ferrari fanatics – have been a constant presence at the ultra-fast circuit situated in an ancient royal park north of Milan. This weekend will surely be no exception as they cajole their beloved Scuderia to greater heights.

Following triple reigning champion Sebastian Vettel’s dominant win for Red Bull Racing over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso at Spa-Francorchamps a fortnight ago, they sure will need to do more than cheer, for Vettel now holds a lead of 46 points – slightly shy of two victories – over the 2005/6 champion with eight rounds remaining. However, they face a thorn in the shape of Lewis Hamilton (139), whose resurgence with Mercedes has revitalised the chase.

Although he finished third to Vettel and Alonso in Belgium he has now scored four poles on the trot and took the win in Hungary before the summer break. Hamilton poses a very real threat to the title duel even if his own title chances were effectively scuppered by a dismal opening half of the season.

This does not imply that only this trio has any real chance of line honours in Sunday’s 53-lap race at the 5,793-kilometre Autodromo. A variety of drivers are eager to make up for lost time.

TOUGH TIMES: Former world champion Jenson Button and McLaren are going through tough times. Picture: AFP.

After his retirement in Spa – his first since returning to the sport from world rallying 31 races ago – Kimi Räikkönen (134) dropped from second in the championship to fourth. While the Finn has now written off his chances of a second title, he remains very much a man on a mission for Lotus.

Nico Rosberg has also slipped down the order after posting two victories for Mercedes, while McLaren needs to pull its socks up if Jenson Button and Sergio Perez are not be heavily embarrassed. At Ferrari Felipe Massa is fighting for his career while further back Sauber and Williams have suffered their most unsuccessful seasons for many years.

For Williams it is their worst ever start. However, the Sauber has attracted new backing from Russia and the Williams appointed Pat Symonds (who directed Michael Schumacher and Alonso’s double titles with Benetton/Renault) as technical honcho.

Mark Webber is starting his last Italian Grand Prix for Red Bull ahead of a switch to Porsche and sports cars in 2014, and the Australian obviously plans to go out on a high.

At Monza full throttle is possible for up to 83% of each lap, with the longest single ‘burst’ lasting 16 seconds. More to the point is that top speeds of over 350 km/h are expected when F1’s DRS overtaking aid kicks in and, as per last year, two DRS zones have been specified.

The circuit’s high kerbs and short braking zones hammer suspension and brakes, with deceleration ahead of the first chicane being the most vicious. Here 270 km/h are shed from a max of 350 km/h to an apex speed of just 80 km/h.

It is no wonder turn one regularly features incidents or that it facilitates the most overtakes or is traditionally the scene of opening lap tangles?

As with the last race Pirelli has specified its hard (orange) and medium (white) compounds. Whether they come in for much demand depends very much on the accuracy of weather forecasts which predict 25 to 27 degree temperatures on Friday and Saturday and thunderstorms during the race so expect Pirelli’s wet (blue) and intermediates (green) to also come in for use.

Sunday’s 53-lap race starts at 2pm SA time.