After the sweeping bends and undulations of Spa-Francorchamps, the world's top 22 racing drivers arrive in Italy for the 12th round of the season and to tame a very different beast.
Set in the stunning parkland of the Royal Villa of Monza, the area is steeped in motorsport history with the modern Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit running just metres away from the classic oval that hosted the Italian Grand Prix decades ago.
Despite the addition of numerous tight and tricky chicanes, Monza still remains the fastest circuit on the calendar with an average speed of 159mph.
Gone are the days of the meaty V10 engines powering cars along the straights at almost 230mph, but the cars are still immensely fast. The current V8 engines can get cars to the 210mph mark along the pit straight thanks to the unique low downforce set-up.
Home of the Tifosi - Ferrari's fanatical supporters, they will be hoping that the Italian teams recent turn in form at the Belgian Grand Prix will continue around the historic venue - a place where Ferrari have won on 18 occasions.
The last Ferrari victory on home turf was back in 2010 when Fernando Alonso took a strong race win after a close battle with the McLaren of Jenson Button. There was a euphoric atmosphere above the podium as fans invaded the track for post-race celebration.
I've talked long enough about the beauty and pure speed of the circuit, so let's take a look at the track itself: Drivers cross the start/finish line to begin a lap of the 3.600 mile Monza circuit, continuing along a lengthy straight where cars can reach up to 211mph. Turn one and two make up the tricky Variante del Rettifilo, with drivers applying the brake 120 metres before the first apex. It is a 165mph deceleration down from seventh to first gear to make the first part of the turn.
The right-left is tricky to get right and is notorious for first corner contact on lap one. High kerbs were added to the corner in 2009 to prevent and penalise cutting the corner.
It is exited in second gear before the long sweeping bend of Curva Grande. A good exit and strong traction is vital to get a good run through this corner, the third on the circuit, as it is flat out. Sector one ends as the cars go under the bridge – roughly the braking point – and enter Variante della Roggia.
This tricky left-right chicane makes up turns four and five and has high kerbs that are unforgiving, it is very easy to apply too much power and spin here. The cars then run under the trees with a quick burst of power before the famous Curve di Lesmos – a two part turn. The first right-hander is entered in fifth gear but drops to fourth during the turn, which is slightly banked.
A short burst on the power leads drivers on to the second right-hander. That is then followed by a long straight that dips downhill. Part two is taken in third gear and requires use of the kerbs to make the turn as straight as possible.
Cars then run downhill and under the old circuit on the run to Variante Ascari (where sector two ends and sector three begins). This straight is where the second DRS zone will be, the first being on the start/finish straight.
The run down to the complex of turns eight, nine and ten is bumpy which makes braking tricky when the first left-hander comes up. The first part is taken in third gear with the gentle right kink and the final flat-out left being taken in fourth gear. Getting the entry right is key to carrying speed and momentum through the next two turns which will give drivers a better exit onto the straight that leads to the famous Parabolica hairpin.
It is a fast turn approached at 208mph and in seventh gear. Cars then decelerate down to fourth for the apex before gradually building up speed through the turn, exiting in fifth gear and onto the pit straight – with entry to the pits being on the right-hand side.
Last year's round saw Lewis Hamilton clinch pole and race to victory, but it was the man in second who impressed the most. Sergio Perez used a one-stop strategy like his fellow frontrunners, but he used the harder Pirelli compound first before powering to the finish on the medium rubber.
This helped him climb through the field to take second place, equalling his best ever result in Formula 1. Alonso kept Ferrari's presence in third but that was only thanks to Jenson Button retiring mid-way through the race.
It was a relatively mature race from all drivers with little in the way of incidents. However one stand-out moment was Alonso running side-by-side with Sebastian Vettel through the Curva Grande, on the grass. The German was given a drive-through for this overly aggressive move which was a near mirroring of Alonso's squeeze on Vettel at the same corner 12 months earlier.
Vettel is a double Italian Grand Prix race winner after taking a memorable first career win in treacherous conditions back in 2008. The triple world champion had been racing for Toro Rosso at the time and dominated the race.
Three years later he returned to the top step in what was a surprising race victory, no one had suspected the Red Bull car - which consistently propped up the speed trap standings - to feature over the race weekend.
Of course, the Italian Grand Prix has a rich history going back to the sports inaugural year in 1950. In fact, it has appeared on the calendar in every single Formula 1 season apart from one - 1980 where Imola hosted the Italian round.
Drivers drive under the classic oval circuit on the run to Ascari, a formidable challenge for even the best of drivers. Fangio, Ascari, Moss, Clark and Stewart - to name just a few - have all conquered the Monza circuit in its numerous guises.
It may look very different to the track that opened in 1922, but the history can still be felt today with the old track sitting, decaying, just metres from the modern day cars. It is a truly special race weekend and one that I hope will remain on the calendar for quite some time.
Also a mention to the Tifosi, this is their home. Ferrari will travel to their home race with the backing of thousandths of spectators, sharing their love for the sport and creating a sea of red in the grandstands as they cheer on Alonso and Massa. These fans are some of the greatest and most enthusiastic in the world, the passion for the sport is something we all have but they take it to another level.
Monza is also a circuit situated in a prime location. It is set in the pretty parkland of the Royal Villa of Monza, with campsites lying just metres from the track and plenty of hotels to choose from in and around Milan.
Also a quick word on that podium - every track should have one like it. I can't imagine the feeling that drivers get when they stand in front of that adoring crowd, especially if you are driving for the prancing horse.
So who is looking good for this weekend? Red Bull had strong pace in Spa with their low-downforce package and will surely dominate the second sector. Mercedes will be fast in qualifying but whether they can get over their returning race issues - Monza is hard on tyres - is a different story.
However, don't count them out just yet - you never should. Ferrari will surely be in contention as they have a good engine and progress is being made. This is the most important race of the season for them, so the Maranello team would have been working extra hard to impress in front of the adoring Tifosi crowds.
Lotus will certainly be challenging at the front and McLaren could make progress this weekend after the flashes of promise in Spa. However, as always, it is very difficult to tell. One thing is certain though; I can't wait for this weekend's race!
Italian Grand Prix Fact-file:
Location: Monza, Italy
Track Length: 3.600 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 11
Laps: 53
Gear changes per lap: 46
Full throttle: 83%
First race: 1950 (1st year of championship)
Lap record: Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari, 2004, 1m21.046
Tyre compounds: Hard and medium
2012 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2012 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1m22.275
2012 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m27.239
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC (Both in HD)
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Despite the addition of numerous tight and tricky chicanes, Monza still remains the fastest circuit on the calendar with an average speed of 159mph.
Gone are the days of the meaty V10 engines powering cars along the straights at almost 230mph, but the cars are still immensely fast. The current V8 engines can get cars to the 210mph mark along the pit straight thanks to the unique low downforce set-up.
Home of the Tifosi - Ferrari's fanatical supporters, they will be hoping that the Italian teams recent turn in form at the Belgian Grand Prix will continue around the historic venue - a place where Ferrari have won on 18 occasions.
The last Ferrari victory on home turf was back in 2010 when Fernando Alonso took a strong race win after a close battle with the McLaren of Jenson Button. There was a euphoric atmosphere above the podium as fans invaded the track for post-race celebration.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
I've talked long enough about the beauty and pure speed of the circuit, so let's take a look at the track itself: Drivers cross the start/finish line to begin a lap of the 3.600 mile Monza circuit, continuing along a lengthy straight where cars can reach up to 211mph. Turn one and two make up the tricky Variante del Rettifilo, with drivers applying the brake 120 metres before the first apex. It is a 165mph deceleration down from seventh to first gear to make the first part of the turn.
The right-left is tricky to get right and is notorious for first corner contact on lap one. High kerbs were added to the corner in 2009 to prevent and penalise cutting the corner.
It is exited in second gear before the long sweeping bend of Curva Grande. A good exit and strong traction is vital to get a good run through this corner, the third on the circuit, as it is flat out. Sector one ends as the cars go under the bridge – roughly the braking point – and enter Variante della Roggia.
This tricky left-right chicane makes up turns four and five and has high kerbs that are unforgiving, it is very easy to apply too much power and spin here. The cars then run under the trees with a quick burst of power before the famous Curve di Lesmos – a two part turn. The first right-hander is entered in fifth gear but drops to fourth during the turn, which is slightly banked.
A short burst on the power leads drivers on to the second right-hander. That is then followed by a long straight that dips downhill. Part two is taken in third gear and requires use of the kerbs to make the turn as straight as possible.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
The run down to the complex of turns eight, nine and ten is bumpy which makes braking tricky when the first left-hander comes up. The first part is taken in third gear with the gentle right kink and the final flat-out left being taken in fourth gear. Getting the entry right is key to carrying speed and momentum through the next two turns which will give drivers a better exit onto the straight that leads to the famous Parabolica hairpin.
It is a fast turn approached at 208mph and in seventh gear. Cars then decelerate down to fourth for the apex before gradually building up speed through the turn, exiting in fifth gear and onto the pit straight – with entry to the pits being on the right-hand side.
Last year's round saw Lewis Hamilton clinch pole and race to victory, but it was the man in second who impressed the most. Sergio Perez used a one-stop strategy like his fellow frontrunners, but he used the harder Pirelli compound first before powering to the finish on the medium rubber.
This helped him climb through the field to take second place, equalling his best ever result in Formula 1. Alonso kept Ferrari's presence in third but that was only thanks to Jenson Button retiring mid-way through the race.
It was a relatively mature race from all drivers with little in the way of incidents. However one stand-out moment was Alonso running side-by-side with Sebastian Vettel through the Curva Grande, on the grass. The German was given a drive-through for this overly aggressive move which was a near mirroring of Alonso's squeeze on Vettel at the same corner 12 months earlier.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Three years later he returned to the top step in what was a surprising race victory, no one had suspected the Red Bull car - which consistently propped up the speed trap standings - to feature over the race weekend.
Of course, the Italian Grand Prix has a rich history going back to the sports inaugural year in 1950. In fact, it has appeared on the calendar in every single Formula 1 season apart from one - 1980 where Imola hosted the Italian round.
Drivers drive under the classic oval circuit on the run to Ascari, a formidable challenge for even the best of drivers. Fangio, Ascari, Moss, Clark and Stewart - to name just a few - have all conquered the Monza circuit in its numerous guises.
It may look very different to the track that opened in 1922, but the history can still be felt today with the old track sitting, decaying, just metres from the modern day cars. It is a truly special race weekend and one that I hope will remain on the calendar for quite some time.
Also a mention to the Tifosi, this is their home. Ferrari will travel to their home race with the backing of thousandths of spectators, sharing their love for the sport and creating a sea of red in the grandstands as they cheer on Alonso and Massa. These fans are some of the greatest and most enthusiastic in the world, the passion for the sport is something we all have but they take it to another level.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Also a quick word on that podium - every track should have one like it. I can't imagine the feeling that drivers get when they stand in front of that adoring crowd, especially if you are driving for the prancing horse.
So who is looking good for this weekend? Red Bull had strong pace in Spa with their low-downforce package and will surely dominate the second sector. Mercedes will be fast in qualifying but whether they can get over their returning race issues - Monza is hard on tyres - is a different story.
However, don't count them out just yet - you never should. Ferrari will surely be in contention as they have a good engine and progress is being made. This is the most important race of the season for them, so the Maranello team would have been working extra hard to impress in front of the adoring Tifosi crowds.
Lotus will certainly be challenging at the front and McLaren could make progress this weekend after the flashes of promise in Spa. However, as always, it is very difficult to tell. One thing is certain though; I can't wait for this weekend's race!
 |
| (c) AllF1 |
Location: Monza, Italy
Track Length: 3.600 miles
Turns: 11
Gear changes per lap: 46
Full throttle: 83%
First race: 1950 (1st year of championship)
Lap record: Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari, 2004, 1m21.046
Tyre compounds: Hard and medium
2012 race winner: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2012 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1m22.275
2012 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m27.239
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC (Both in HD)
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