Track: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 3.6 miles (5.8km)
Race Length: 190.6 miles (306.7km)
Start Time: 13:00 BST
Fastest Lap: 1:19.525 (Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams BMW, 2004)
Fastest Race Lap: 1:21.046 (Rubens Barrichello, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 2004)
2014 Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG Petronas, 1:24.109, Medium Tyres
2014 Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG Petronas
Tyre Compounds: Soft, Medium, Intermediate, Wet
First F1 Grand Prix: 1950
Most Wins: Michael Schumacher (5), Scuderia Ferrari (19)
The final European race of the season takes place at the legendary Monza circuit, where the Tifosi are always out in force hoping for a Ferrari home victory.
Whilst the Scuderia have won twice this season, it appears unlikely they will at home. Mercedes continued their dominance at the high-speed Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps two weeks ago, meaning that they probably will do so again here.
The reigning champions do need to be cautious though. Issues with their brakes have plagued the Silver Arrows on the high-speed tracks since the hybrid formula was introduced last year.
Williams and Ferrari will be breathing down their neck, ready to pounce should a problem occur.
Traditionally, Monza is where the silly season regarding driver rumours really kicks in. Following the news that Renault are going to buy out Lotus, the driver market is now wide open again after whittling away following Raikkonen’s contract extension at Ferrari. With the season beginning to draw to a close, and just three teams with their driver lineup confirmed, Monza may well prove to be silly season home once again.
Let’s hope for a great race to round off the European part of the season, as Formula One heads into the final eight races of this year’s’ World Championship.
