With just seven races left to run this season the championship is finally poised as Formula 1 heads into its final European race of the season for the Italian Grand Prix from Monza.
With just seven races left to run this season the championship is finally poised as Formula 1 heads into its final European race of the season for the Italian Grand Prix from Monza.
Much like Spa the circus arrives at another classic venue and at a circuit that should see the Mercedes powered teams in the prime seat come both qualifying and the race.
Monza has been on the Formula One calendar since 1950 however the track then was very different. The old circuit which was banked however the much loved track has seen many changes over the years, part of the old circuit still remain to this day.
Mercedes, Ferrari competing for the podium
Fresh from their coming together on lap two in Belgium Mercedes will be eager to get back to winning ways after Daniel Ricciardo was there to pick up the pieces again after Mercedes dropped the ball. With double points up for grabs in Abu Dhabi at the final race, the loveable Aussie could be in with a shot.
Mercedes who are without a race since July look to be the team to beat this weekend. On a 3.6 mile circuit that contains long straights and three chicanes this is a track that will play to the strengths of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as their colossal battle that took a turn for the worst at Belgium.
You cannot mention the Italian Grand Prix without talking about Ferrari and their fans the Tifosi. Although this season has not going to plan for the prancing horse there is no doubt that there will be a sea of red come race day under the podium in the hope that either Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen will be up there to be greeted by their adoring fans.
For Ferrari a podium finish could not come at a better time for the Italian outfit. In their battle for third in the constructors’ championship in which they lie just ten points ahead of the Mercedes powered Williams with Valtteri Bottas looking for podium number of the season a podium would feel like a win.
Hamilton looking for redemption
With the points gap between the two Mercedes drivers, unfortunately tensions are too. After Nico Rosberg accepting the blame for the incident the pair will have to be on their best behaviour yet still need to fight to maintain both their championship charges.
Lewis Hamilton has not been on pole position since the Spanish Grand Prix and made a number of mistakes on his attempts in Q3 last time out at Spa. The Brit needs to respond with a win and fast.
Unlike Spa we are without any driver line up changes planned, Kamui Kobayashi will be back in at Caterham this weekend after he lost out to Andre Lotterer at Spa.
Pirelli have opted for the medium (option) and hard (prime) tyres this weekend. With a one stop strategy being the norm at Monza, Pirelli have taken a more conservative approach.
With that being said evaluating the tyres on Friday will be vital however with the forecast not looking good for dry running on Friday the chances of this are slim.
Will the threat of rain showers throughout the weekend hinder Mercedes and help level out the playing field? We all saw in 2008 just how good Sebastian Vettel is in the rain around Monza. Could he be in for a shock first win of 2014 as doubts over his Red Bull future begin to gather pace?
Or, will it be a Mercedes driver back on the top step of the podium as draw a line under the European end of the season?
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