Italian Grand Prix Preview

Historical Monza is the venue for final race of the European section of F1 season. Possibly the fastest race of the season, the 53 laps, 191 odd miles will be completed in around the one hour twenty minute mark. In short, this is a drag race, with three chicanes and four sweeping corners.

Whilst different in layout, both Spa and Monza have similar racing characteristics. Therefore, the result at Spa two weeks ago is an excellent form guide to the winner of this race. As highlighted in previous blogs Mercedes should qualify well for the race and then Hamilton and Rosberg will have to manage their tyres because of the heavy wear for the actual race. Alonso may well start on the third or fourth row of the grid and then race his way to a possible podium finish.  Kimi Raikkonen will look for a high points finish in order to maintain his challenge for second place in the Drivers’ Championship after dropping points due to his retirement at Spa.

Sebastian Vettel, who should go on to win his fourth Drivers Championship, will almost certainly challenge for his sixth race win of the season, or the bare minimum a top three finish, baring a first chicane pile-up at the start of the race or Pirelli tyre failure.

Rumours about driver changes for the 2014 season will now start to gather momentum and this is will be my speculative bet for the race. Felipe Massa performance has to improve if he is to stand any chance of a 2014 drive for Ferrari. Therefore, a small wager at 50/1, each-way 1/5 1,2,3 isn’t the worst bet in the world.