WilliamsF1 2006 Italian GP Preview
2006 Italian GP
By WilliamsF1 Team
September 5 2006
After completing three days of testing at Monza the WilliamsF1 team returns for the 2006 Italian Grand Prix. The team will be using a new aero package for this race and it is one where Mark Webber is hopeful of securing a good result as the seasons comes closer to an end.
| Italian Grand Prix: Monza |
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| Race Preview: |
| The Event Formula One moves to a more traditional location next weekend as the teams make the second visit of the year to Italy for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Affectionately known as the “Pista Magica,” Monza is the largest motorsport centre in Italy and one of the most prestigious racing circuits in the world. Opened in 1922, the Autodrome is also the third oldest motorsports venue after Brooklands in the UK (1907) and Indianapolis (1909) and has hosted all but one of the 56 Italian Grands Prix. Although re-designed several times over the years due to safety concerns, Monza essentially remains the same – a circuit which punishes the weak and rewards the brave. Williams has won nearly one in every four Italian Grands Prix entered, taken 19 podiums and claimed more fastest laps than any other team at the Old Royal Park. For this year’s race, the team is looking to capitalise upon improved pace seen in Turkey and score some solid points with both cars. Between the races The end of the August test ban allowed the team a three day session in Monza with Webber, Rosberg and Wurz completing two days each. While testing the Monza aero package and evaluating tyres for next weekend’s race, the trio covered just over 3,000kms, while Nico also set the fourth quickest time of the week. Following the conclusion of their test commitments, all three drivers enjoyed a brief few days’ rest before returning to Italy for the race itself. Making the car go faster The unique nature of the Autodrome demands a fully revised aero package which the team has developed in its two wind tunnels and at the test last week. The most visual of changes will be completely new front and rear wing assemblies. The FW28s will also run with new engine cover flip-ups, while the cars’ roll-hoop wings, cascade wings and winglets will all be removed to create a low drag configuration. Monza from a technical perspective A step away from previous rounds, Monza also presents a return to power track territory. The 5.793km circuit in the Old Royal Park is one of the highest speed tracks on the calendar and so requires the lowest downforce arrangement seen all year. Monza’s chicanes and four key corners, however, also demand a balancing aerodynamic efficiency to ensure a smooth transition over the harsh kerbs. A traditional power track, engines are put through their paces over the weekend as they consistently reach speeds of 340km/h and endure a full throttle ratio of 70% per lap. With such high top speeds, extensive loads are exerted on the brakes during each braking event, turn one, for example, sees drivers brake so hard into the corner, they experience 5g. Accordingly, brake durability is crucial while a car’s stability under braking is also important at Monza where the track surface is notoriously bumpy. With an approximate 25 second penalty for each pitstop, the Italian Grand Prix is invariably a one stop race but, with several overtaking opportunities over the lap, the finale to the European season is sure to be an engaging event. Mark Webber: Cosworth will therefore be able to run maximum engine performance, including the 20,000RPM rev limit, for all key laps in qualifying and for a significant fraction of the race. Cosworth has pushed hard to successfully approve and introduce the best possible engine specification for the forthcoming race and also in readiness for the impending FIA engine homologation deadline." |
KEY RACE DATA Race distance/laps 5.793kms. 53 laps = 306.720kms Local race start time Local: 14.00, GMT: 12.00 2005 fastest lap K Raikkonen, McLaren: 1:21.504 2005 pole sitter J P Montoya, McLaren: 1:21.054 2005 race winner J P Montoya, McLaren 2005 winning tyre Michelin Pit-stop schedule 1 stop: Laps 27 - 33 2 stops: Laps 17 – 22, 33 - 41 3 stops: Laps 11 – 16, 26 – 29, 42 - 46 WILLIAMS IN MONZA Races Wins Poles Fastest 2004 2005 |
"Monza is a different type
of circuit to the others that we race on over the season. It’s a track
which has high top speeds - in a straight line we’ll reach speeds up to
340kph - so the aerodynamic wing level on the car has to be totally
different for this race. Also, the set-up has to be good to allow us to
ride the chicances as we hit the kerbs so hard. Monza isn’t the safest
circuit in the world, so we need to work with the organisers to find
some way to make the track a little bit safer. I’ve had a few points’
finishes here, but I’ve never been on the podium, so hopefully I will
get there one day. We can probably have a reasonable race here, it’s
very competitive at the front at the moment but I hope we’ll be fighting
to get back up there in these last few races and get some good points."
"The Autodrome is a special track. I believe it’s one of the oldest
circuits on the calendar so there’s plenty of history. Monza is also a
very exciting circuit as it’s so different to the other tracks we race
on. There are lots of straights so you have to take all the downforce
off the car. That, though, means that there’s less grip, so it’s harder
to drive. Aside from the track itself, this Grand Prix is always a good
one because of the Italian fans who just go crazy for Ferrari. They’re
great supporters of motor racing in general as well, so this race always
has a very special atmosphere."
"Characterised
by long straights, a couple of slow speed chicanes and four important
corners, Monza is an entirely unique circuit on the calendar and so
requires a totally different car set-up to that seen at other races. The
car’s aerodynamics must be configured to a low downforce setting,
predominantly achieved through specific front and rear wings, to provide
good balance through the medium speed corners and stability over the
kerbs. With top speeds reaching the highest we see all year, engine
power is critical, while brake durability is also necessary at the
second hardest wearing track after Montréal. Due to the long pitlane
time and low tyre degradation at this circuit, most teams will be on a
one stop strategy. At the test in Monza last week, we worked on the aero
package and tyre selection to put us in the best possible position for
the race."
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