After another podium finish in Belgium the Williams Martini team now moves to the famous Monza circuit for the 2014 Italian GP. It is felt that this track will allow the Williams cars to again be competitive. It is expected that the team will be able to come away with another good result, to this end the team is bringing a package designed for this low downforce configuration track.
Known in Italy as ‘La Pista
Magica’, Monza is rightly loved by everyone who visits it. The track was
on the inaugural F1 calendar in 1950 and the original banking, used by
F1 cars until 1961, can still be seen today, giving the circuit a direct
link to its glorious past.
The track has evolved over the years and become safer, but its
high-speed nature continues to get the pulse racing like nowhere else.
The layout is predominantly made up of long straights separated by
chicanes, so straight-line speed and a good traction are crucial to good
lap times. With average speeds hovering around the 160mph mark, and top
speeds in excess of 210mph, Monza is the only circuit on the current
calendar for which teams produce special low-drag aerodynamic packages.
With the passionate Italian fans cheering from the packed grandstands,
the Italian Grand Prix has one of the most electric atmospheres of the
year. It’s a great way to sign off from the European season.
Rod Smedley:
The track should suit our car as it requires a very low downforce
package. We expect all the teams to adapt their cars for the nature of
the circuit and have specialised Monza aerodynamics. We have worked a
lot on the long straights and high drag sensitivity, and so are
confident that the aero package will be effective. The track offers a
good mix of low and medium speed corners. At this time of year we can
expect high temperatures which can cause issues with tyre temperatures
on the long straights. Monza is one of the last of the old circuits, in
a great setting with some of the most passionate fans in the world.
Felipe Massa:
Monza is a place I enjoy. I love the people and the fans and I hope now
despite the fact that I have moved teams that they still support and
cheer for me. Monza is a special circuit as it’s so quick, but the
corners are quite slow. Aerodynamics are vital at a track like this and
that could benefit us over the weekend. I hope to be competitive here as
I think the Italian fans would like to see us do well.
Valtteri Bottas:
Monza could be a great track for our car and I know we will be busy with
our partners, many of whom are coming to Italy. The track is really good
fun to drive and it is important to have good straight-line speeds as it
has some very quick straights. We have a track specific aero package
that we will take, combine that with the strong power-unit and we could
have a very competitive weekend.
Race Data Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00 Sunday: Race: 14:00
Italian GP: Williams Martini Race Preview
Posted by: Williams F1 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/09/2014 12:10
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