MONZA
2008 CIRCUIT INFORMATION AND RACE PROGRAM
THE 2008 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 2008 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. 2008 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 2008, we have included the 2006 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 will be extended to two 90 minute sessions for 2008, we do not expect any other major changes from the 2006 program.
So please take note that the following 2006 program and information could change for 2008.
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 2008 (53 Laps) |
