04/09/2010
NEWS STORY
The next stopover for the 2010 Formula 1 Championship is at the historical Italian Grand Prix in Monza. It is also the last race in Europe, where Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team has demonstrated it is a reliable team that improves and fights for positions race after race. It is all about speed in Monza and the race is the fastest on the calendar. Top speeds of 340 km/h are possible and consequently cars have to have a very low downforce to maximize their top speed. The brakes are highly demanded and it is important to look after them.
The 'Autodromo di Monza', of 5.793 km in length, calls out corners like 'Curva di Lesmo', 'Variante Ascari' and 'Parabolica' and has three long straights. Drivers have to be careful at the first chicane after the straight line, as it leads to contact a competitor or a trip over the kerbs. The two 'Lesmos' are a very tricky pair of right-handers and a good exit from the second one is essential for the blast back under the old track and down to 'Variante Ascari'. The drivers need to achieve the highest speed possible at the exit of the 'Parabolica' to maintain or make up a position across the very long and wide start finish straight.
After achieving its best qualifying result this season, Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team wants to tie in another success. The Spanish team is eager to bring both Bruno Senna's and Sakon Yamamoto's cars to the finish line again and to show a good performance in Italy.
Dr Colin Kolles, Team Principal: "After the exciting race in Belgium, we are looking forward to coming to another historical Grand Prix in Monza. The 'Autodromo di Monza' is an ultimate power circuit with a top speed rate of 70 per cent. We have to find a very low downforce set-up for the car to achieve maximum speed. With top speeds of up to 340 km/h, the cars are difficult to control and the drivers have to be attentive and concentrated. We want to show a good performance and to finish the race with both of our cars again."
Sakon Yamamoto: "I was driving a Formula 1 car two times in Monza: in 2006 with Super Aguri F1 and in 2007 with Spyker F1. The circuit is very traditional and I am always looking forward to race there. The car has the lowest downforce setting of the whole season and the maximum speed is around 340 km/h. With this set-up, braking into the first corner is hard and difficult. We need to be prepared for good straight line speed and I am really looking forward to be in the car again."
Bruno Senna: "The track in Monza is full of history and the atmosphere there is very nice. Since 2005, I have been racing in Monza every year except in 2009 and I am always looking forward to racing there. It is a very high speed circuit with slow chicanes and medium speed corners interrupting the straight lines. So the car is configured with low downforce for maximum speed. The brakes and tyres are used very hard due to the high speed nature with low speed corners. I hope to have another competitive weekend against the new teams and still look forward to achieving our best results."
To experience Monza in more detail click here