Formula 1 News: Monza’s €21m-Upgraded Circuit Proves Controversial Ahead of Italian Grand Prix
Formula 1 Tyres and Kerb Changes Take Center Stage
Ahead of Formula 1’s 2024 Italian Grand Prix, the €21m-upgrade to the Monza circuit was a hot topic of discussion. Now, we’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of those controversial kerb changes at the famous Ascari chicane.
During Thursday’s media day, Formula 1 drivers voiced concerns about the lowered and flattened kerbs, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo stating “it’s very flat now,” and Mercedes’ George Russell suggesting “it’s going to offer the opportunity for drivers to cut the corner.”
At the Ascari chicane, we observed the Renault engine staff protesting Alpine’s idea of becoming a Mercedes engine customer. Meanwhile, the circuit commentators were excited about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s early laps, and the atmosphere reached a fever pitch as he put Russell’s Mercedes W15 top with his first flier.
Formula 1 Qualifying and Track Limits
After a 13-minute delay, we saw how the drivers were indeed much more on the kerbs through the Ascari sequence compared to their 2023 lines around the old kerbs. The new kerb-riding was particularly evident in the second and third parts of the sequence, with the cars still staying wide through the first left to carry better speed into the longer second part.
Formula 1 Driver Performance and Tactics
Lando Norris caught the eye early on, slamming across the kerbs at the third apex much harder than the other frontrunning drivers. However, he wasn’t outrageously cutting this point as had been feared on Thursday. The Williams drivers struggled through the Ascari complex, while Alex Albon impressively saved a massive rear snap between the apexes of the second and third Ascari elements.
Formula 1 Calendar and Track Conditions
As the session progressed, the changes Mercedes made to Lewis Hamilton’s car meant it was sparking from its rear floor after skating across the apex three kerbs. Max Verstappen provided a handy illustration of the differing challenge on new and used rubber, topping FP1 with a 1m21.676s lap.
Formula 1 News and Analysis
At this stage, concerns about the Ascari kerb changes ruining the Monza spectacle and risking reigniting the track-limits nightmare seem overblown. The drivers are running on the kerbs now, but the spectacle from trackside seems little different compared to 2023.
Verstappen’s leading time comes in almost exactly one second quicker than what he’d put in to lead 2023’s FP1 session, but back then he was using the hard tyre compared to the softs this time around. The new, darker asphalt is punishing the tyres right from the off at this event, and this must be considered alongside the usual engine mode and fuel load practice caveats.
A comparison of Verstappen’s year-on-year GPS data traces is revealing, showing that grip levels offered by the new asphalt will make a critical difference. Interestingly, Verstappen’s minimum speed through Ascari in 2024 on his quickest lap comes in at 108.7mph, while in 2023 it was 113.7mph.
Formula 1 and Beyond
As we watch the Italian Grand Prix unfold, it’s clear that this is just the beginning of the Monza speed challenge. Stay tuned for more Formula 1 news and updates from the Italian Grand Prix paddock.
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