2023 F1 Italian Grand Prix preview: Final European round

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Previewing the 2023 F1 Italian Grand Prix: Culmination of the European Leg

As the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship continues its intense competition, the focus shifts to the fifteenth round, marked by the prestigious Italian Grand Prix. Positioned as the conclusive European fixture of the season, this event is set to unfold at the famed Autodromo Nazionale Monza, situated on the outskirts of Milan. Often referred to as the Temple of Speed, this iconic track witnesses cars reaching astonishing velocities, regularly surpassing 217 mph over the course of a Formula 1 weekend.

In a tradition that traces back to the inaugural season of 1950, the Italian Grand Prix, much like the British Grand Prix, has maintained its steadfast presence on the F1 calendar. Monza, with its storied legacy, has been its host almost every year, with a solitary exception in 1980, when the race temporarily relocated to the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola. The recent past has witnessed an addition to the Italian racing landscape, with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, although its occurrence for the current year was regrettably thwarted by severe flooding during its scheduled timeframe.

Uniquely, Monza stands as the sole historical high-speed circuit that continues to embrace the spectacle of Formula 1 racing. However, the roots of the Italian Grand Prix predate the inception of Formula 1 itself, as its origins date back to 1921. The following year marked the completion of the Monza circuit, thereby solidifying its presence as a cornerstone of racing history for over a century. Notably, its very first Italian Grand Prix took place a mere week after the circuit’s inauguration.

The contemporary iteration of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza encompasses a 3.6-mile track layout characterized by elongated straights and strategically positioned chicanes. With a total of 11 corners, featuring seven right turns and four left turns, the circuit’s configuration ranks second only to the Red Bull Ring of the Austrian Grand Prix in terms of minimal corner count, boasting a mere 10 corners.

A defining characteristic of the Monza experience lies in the fact that drivers dedicate approximately 77% of their lap time and 80% of the lap distance to maintaining full throttle. A parallel can be drawn with the Jeddah Street Circuit of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which surpasses this percentage, reaching an impressive 82%. Consequently, vehicles are fine-tuned for low downforce, optimizing their top speeds. This strategic choice necessitates a heightened reliance on the tires’ mechanical traction to uphold stability through the corners. Pirelli’s tire selection for this event comprises the C3 compound designated as the White hard, the C4 as the Yellow medium, and the C5 as the Red soft – a selection slightly softer than that of the previous year.

Considering the climatic conditions specific to Monza during this period, heat prevails, playing a pivotal role in the dynamics of the race. Given the extended stretches of open track, the tires risk cooling excessively when confronted with milder weather. The prevailing weather forecast anticipates warm and sunlit conditions for both the qualifying session on Saturday and the ensuing race on Sunday. The projected peak temperature stands at 87 degrees F (31 degrees C).

As the weekend approaches, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing maintains a firm grip on the lead in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship, commanding 339 points. In close pursuit, his teammate Sergio Perez secures the second position with 201 points, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin trails behind with 168 points. The Constructors’ Championship landscape reflects a similar narrative, with Red Bull seizing the lead with 540 points, juxtaposed against Mercedes-Benz AMG at 255 points in second place and Aston Martin at 215 points in third. The victor of the preceding year’s Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza, was none other than Max Verstappen, a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel of his Red Bull machine.

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More about Grand Prix Preview

• 2023 Formula One World Championship
• Autodromo Nazionale Monza
• Italian Grand Prix History
• Pirelli Tire Compounds
• Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship Standings
• Max Verstappen’s Profile
• Red Bull Racing Team