Jack Leslie F1: 2014 Italian Grand Prix Thursday Snapshot

After a little break, my blog's Thursday Snapshot feature is back, providing you with a look at what went on at the Monza circuit prior to the start of the Italian Grand Prix on-track action.

As always, Thursday was a busy day with drivers walking the track, completing media commitments and meeting fans. Meanwhile, mechanics and engineers prepared the cars for Friday's first practice session.

Preview and track guide: http://bit.ly/1qiDEYL
F1 Flashback: http://bit.ly/WasokF
One Year Rewind: http://richlandf1.com/?p=27712
10 Things You Didn't Know: http://www.carthrottle.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-italian-grand-prix/

Nico Rosberg was one of six drivers in Thursday's FIA driver press conference. Naturally the Belgian Grand Prix contact with his team-mate was a hot topic. The German said he took some time to reflect on the incident and decided that he should take responsibility.

With the main focus being on the Mercedes duo, the other four drivers didn't get much time to talk. With McLaren in a close fight for fifth in the constructors' with Force India, Kevin Magnussen is aiming for a consistent end to his rookie season.

Max Chilton is looking forward to racing at Monza this weekend, as he confirmed in the FIA press conference that it is one of his favourite tracks.

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is hoping to score his fifth podium of the 2014 season at the Italian Grand Prix and believes the team can have a strong weekend.

Fernando Alonso has been on the podium at Monza for the last four years. He is hoping for more of the same this weekend, but remains cautiously optimistic.

Lewis Hamilton was the sixth and final driver in the FIA press conference. He is excited to race this weekend and has moved on from the events that occurred at Spa-Francorchamps.

Daniel Ricciardo met with fans at the front of the Red Bull Racing garage on Thursday.

Like the majority of the grid, Sergio Perez completed his track walk on Thursday morning with his engineers.

Romain Grosjean spoke to broadcast media in front of the Lotus F1 Team motorhome, sharing his thoughts and hopes for the Italian Grand Prix.

As you would expect at Ferrari's home race, the Tifosi were out in force to catch a glimpse of the team's drivers Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen.

Marussia's Jules Bianchi walked the track with his engineers and the team's on Thursday morning, noting down any changes.

This picture was taken on the approach to the Ascari chicane by the Williams team, with the old oval track crossing over the current layout.

Nico Hulkenberg visited the classic Monza banking on the old oval track to film a feature with the BBC.

Adrian Sutil spoke to broadcast media outside the Sauber motorhome on Thursday, ahead of the final European race weekend of the 2014 season.

After completing media commitments, Ricciardo and Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner took part in a cook-off to launch a new Casio watch.

Ricciardo sneakily tried out some of the food during the cook-off, as the media, photographers and paddock guests watched on.

Jean-Eric Vergne met a few Toro Rosso fans on Thursday at the Monza circuit. The Italian Grand Prix is, of course, the Faenza-based team's home event.

Just before the start of the FIA press conference, Hamilton took this sneaky selfie of the media.

After leaving the track, Susie Wolff, Felipe Massa and Bottas competed at a Martini event in Milan.

Roberto Merhi posed for a photograph in his Caterham F1 Team gear, ahead of his FP1 run on Friday.

Both Marcus Ericsson and Bottas celebrated recent birthdays in the F1 paddock.

Jenson Button spoke to the press in the McLaren brand centre on Thursday, sharing his predictions for the weekend ahead.

Mario Andretti visited Monza for the first time in 31 years, promoting this year's United States Grand Prix. With the event taking place in Texas, drivers were given their own cowboy hat. Here are a few more pictures of Andretti catching up with the 2014 grid:

4 September 2014

2014 Italian Grand Prix Thursday Snapshot

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