2010 Monza Formula 1 Gp

Monza 2010 Circuit Information And Race Program

The 2010 Monza Formula One Grand Prix

On the outskirts of Milan, Italy, lies one of the oldest GP circuits in Formula 1 - the Autodromo di Monza. One of the last few fast and old fashioned European tracks, the Monza circuit will host the 2010 Italian Grand Prix for the 58th time. It will be a celebrative time for the excited spectators, but it will also be a testing time for the drivers and their machinery. 2010 will mark the 85th anniversary of the Autodromo di Monza, which is without a doubt, one of the most historic circuits on the F1 calendar. The circuit design is firmly set in the past, with a classic European layout, which definitely favors top speed The fervor surrounding the circuit comes from the excitable Ferrari fans - the Tifosi - used to their Ferrari team dominating Formula One, in recent years.

Monza Circuit Information

General information

The Autodromo di Monza has an unbelievable history in Formula One, and has been generally regarded as the spiritual home of Italian motor racing, from its earlier dangerous days on the banked circuit to its modern chicane-strewn layout. Despite the chicanes that have marred the long straights for the last decade, Monza is still considered to be, above all, F1's "home of speed". It is only speed that counts at the Autodromo - the layout of long and fast straights not only rewards top speed, but also offers good overtaking opportunities, from slipstreaming or late braking. Unique to Monza, is the fact that the FIA allows the teams to test at the circuit during the week before the race.

What the drivers say

With not many low down force circuits on the F1 calendar, the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo di Monza represents one of the more unique races of the year, seeing the racing drivers optimise their cars for speeds up to 370kph! To run fast at Monza, the racing drivers need to sacrifice as much down force as possible to cut drag - they only run just enough aerodynamic load to keep the cars stable under braking and through the 'Curve Biassono'. A good lap time, requires a powerful engine to deliver on the straights, good mechanical grip to counter the lack of down force and effective brake cooling to handle the frequent big stops. Engines are run heavily stressed and flat out for nearly 70% of the lap, in usually very hot conditions. Monza demands very special tyres, as the track surface is grippy and smooth. High terminal speeds, allied to hot ambient temperatures, quickly builds heat up in the tyres, and the impact of heavy braking - followed by kerb hopping through the chicanes - places stress on the sidewalls, which need to be stiffer than normal to cope.

Racing Program And Event Timetable

Although not yet finalised for 2010, we have included last year's Formula 1 program, to give you an idea of what the event timetable should look like. Except for the two Friday free practices sessions, which were extended to two 90 minute sessions in 2008, we do not expect any other major changes from the 2010 program.
So please take note that the following program and information could change for 2010.

Thursday
10h00 - 12h30	Formula 1	Pit Lane Walk by all grandstand ticket holders
16h00 - 19h00	Formula 1	Pit Lane visit by all grandstand ticket holders
Friday
09h30 - 10h00	GP2	Practice Session
11h00 - 12h00	Formula 1	First Practice Session
14h00 - 15h00	Formula 1	Second Practice Session
15h30 - 16h00	GP2	Qualifying Session
16h30 - 17h15	Porsche Supercup	Practice Session
Saturday
11h00 - 12h00	Formula One GP	Third Practice Session
12h25 - 13h10	Porsche Supercup	Qualifying
14h00 - 15h00	Formula One GP	Qualifying
16h00 - 17h15	GP2	Race (32 Laps)
Sunday
10h00 - 10h45	GP2	Race (21 Laps)
11h40 - 12h15	Porsche Supercup	Race (13 Laps)
12h30	Formula 1 GP	Drivers Parade
12h45 - 13h15	Formula One	Grid Presentation
13h30	Formula One	Pit Lane Open
13h45	Formula One	Pit Lane Close
13h46	Formula One	National Anthem
14h00	Formula 1	Formula 1 Gran Premio Vodafone D'Italia (53 Laps)