News
7th September 2014, 00:41
From the potential for chaos at the first corner to the threat posed by Williams to Mercedes, and from the likelihood of a tough afternoon for Ferrari to the spectacle of Daniil Kvyat charging up the order, we break down the key themes to look out for in Sunday's Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2014...
First chicane could provide a flashpoint
The start in Italy is always one of the trickiest of the season - not only does the track narrow significantly from the grid to the first chicane, but the drivers will approach the slow switchback at over 300km/h - with cold tyres and brakes and the lowest downforce settings of the year. Put simply, they will have to take great care - it only takes a man in the midfield to miss his braking point by a couple of metres to cause major problems at the first corner. It's not uncommon to see drivers taking to the escape road to avoid problems, nor to see bodywork flying as the pack, bottlenecked together, try to negotiate the tight sequence of bends. In short, don't be surprised if the order is shaken up by the time the cars reach Curva Grande for the first time.
What will be particularly interesting is how the front row-starting Mercedes drivers approach the first chicane. After their second-lap clash in Belgium there's considerable pressure on polesitter Lewis Hamilton and team mate Nico Rosberg to avoid further contact, but if they're too cautious they could come under real pressure from behind from drivers more willing to take a risk
More... (http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/9/16316.html)
First chicane could provide a flashpoint
The start in Italy is always one of the trickiest of the season - not only does the track narrow significantly from the grid to the first chicane, but the drivers will approach the slow switchback at over 300km/h - with cold tyres and brakes and the lowest downforce settings of the year. Put simply, they will have to take great care - it only takes a man in the midfield to miss his braking point by a couple of metres to cause major problems at the first corner. It's not uncommon to see drivers taking to the escape road to avoid problems, nor to see bodywork flying as the pack, bottlenecked together, try to negotiate the tight sequence of bends. In short, don't be surprised if the order is shaken up by the time the cars reach Curva Grande for the first time.
What will be particularly interesting is how the front row-starting Mercedes drivers approach the first chicane. After their second-lap clash in Belgium there's considerable pressure on polesitter Lewis Hamilton and team mate Nico Rosberg to avoid further contact, but if they're too cautious they could come under real pressure from behind from drivers more willing to take a risk
More... (http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/9/16316.html)