Italian Grand Prix: Stage Preview

The Italian Grand Prix has always been held in the first month of autumn, but for the first time it will be held so early – on September 1, although the stage previously completed the first part of the season, and has now become the second after the summer break.

For the 75th anniversary of the Italian Grand Prix, the organizers carried out a large-scale reconstruction. During the negotiations for a new contract, the reorganization of the circuit was one of the mandatory conditions. The profile of a number of corners has been changed slightly, safety zones have been renewed, new asphalt and curbs have been laid and modern grandstands have been installed. While retaining the same character, Monza has become more modern. The negotiations for the contract extension will continue throughout the weekend, I would like to believe that they will end positively.

The stage on the slowest circuit in Monaco traditionally precedes the summer, the stage on the fastest in Monza ends it. This year’s summer in Formula 1 proved to be interesting. Who would have thought that Ferrari would not be able to build on its success after Leclerc’s victory in Monaco and that in seven summer races two victories would go to McLaren and three to Mercedes.

After the budget cuts appeared, many were convinced that there would be no serious changes in the balance of power during the season – there would be enough money for a few adjustments and the creation of a car for the following season, so that if the team dominated the first races, it would remain the leader until the end of the championship. Apparently, Red Bull was counting on this too.

Last year, only Verstappen won all the stages from Monaco to Monza. And fans complained that the name of the winner was known in advance, that ticket sales were worse and that the viewing figures were down. Nobody expected that anyone would be able to force a fight on Red Bull, and even more so, nobody expected this from McLaren, because at that point in the season they were in fifth place in the constructors’ championship and had no claim to anything.

Fall is getting more interesting! There is no early victory yet.

One of the talking points this weekend is the replacement at Williams, where young debutant Franco Colapinto will partner Alex Albon this weekend and for the rest of the season.

An unplanned change during the season is inconvenient for both teams. Without training and testing, it is almost impossible for a driver to reveal his potential behind the wheel of someone else’s car, especially if his partner is fast and already experienced – this significantly reduces the chance of signing a full contract. In the case of Colapinto, it is already clear that there will be no contract with Williams – in 2015 Albon’s partner will be Carlos Sainz.

For a team, a forced change is an emergency. Racers and teams are bound by numerous contracts, teams take out loans against payment from the driver’s partners and use the loans to plan phases of car modification. If a private team wants to fire a rental driver early, it needs an even larger loan and appropriate financial guarantees. In such a situation, teams usually close the season “as is” and carry out a planned replacement the following year. But this time, after Sargent’s accident at Zandvoort, the patience of the management was running out.

Rental drivers are the scourge of modern Formula 1. They were indispensable when private teams were struggling to survive. But now that the financial situation is good, the teams have a good budget with limited expenses. It is strange in such circumstances to have a driver in one of the teams who does not correspond to the level of Formula 1.

The talk that there should be an American driver in the championship between the American owners of the championship of Liberty Media and the American owners of Williams of Dorilton Capital can not be used as an excuse. Why Sargent? There are enough young and fast drivers in the US who dream of driving in Formula 1, but do not get the same financial support as Logan. Now Logan is gone too.

It is great that Sargent has been fired. He will have the chance to get into another series, and in the nine remaining races we will be able to appreciate the young Franco Colapinto, who will do everything to stay. That is how it should be.

Last week the stands were exclusively dressed in orange, but in Monza red will dominate. For Ferrari this stage is especially important. The team will prepare a special livery for the cars, invite guests, employees and important customers, and the company’s management will also be present. Given the traditionally high pressure in the Scuderia, the stage at the home circuit often becomes the most serious test of the season for the team.