With just a handful of races remaining, the championship battle is still open with Red Bull leading both the championship, Mclaren following a close second and Ferrari hanging on with a possibility in the Driver's championship.
Here is a review of the high-speed Monza track and the chances of the title contenders at this year's Italian GP.
The Circuit
Monza is currently the fastest circuit on the calendar, with an average speed of 250 km/hr.
The circuit consist of harsh kerbs, hence requires precision driving and control on every lap.
The circuit has a few heavy braking zones that would be testing the car's brakes and putting pressure on the softer compound tyres.
Fans can look forward to witness powerful engines running at full speed, with ample scope of overtaking opportunities on the circuit.
Teams
Red Bull have qualified on pole position in 12 out of 13 races, and hence it makes them the favourite at the qualifying day.
The circuit overall demands a good aero efficiency from cars, and the Red Bull, with the best car on the grid, would have an added advantage amongst the top teams at Monza.
However, their Renault engine might lack more power on straight line speed, and the heavy braking zone is not to their car's liking.
McLaren lines up second favourite with Lewis Hamilton in great form after his recent victory at Spa, Belgium.
The McLaren has the unmatched power of mercedes engine and would be having an upperhand at full speed run on the straights.
McLaren's innovative F-duct would be of little help though as the track being of low-downforce nature, the effectiveness of the F-duct would be minimal.
The team has hence decided that they might do away with the F-duct at Monza.
However, the F-duct being an integral part of their car, it would be challenge for the team to get optimum performance in it's absence.
A disheartened Ferrari F1 team, who are favourites behind the Bulls and Mclaren here, are looking forward to positive results at their home GP in Monza this weekend.
Ferrari has good aero package and their tweaked engine is on par with that of mercedes engine in terms of power.
Ferrari have also been comfortable with heavy braking, and unlike Mclaren don't lose much running without their F-duct solution.
The biggest hindrance to the Italian outfit's challenge would be to lay out the best strategy, which has let them down at crucial juncture this season.
During the last GP, they released the drivers for the flying lap at qualifying just when it started to drizzle, that saw Alonso qualifying out of the top 5 grid position. Then, later during the race when Barrichello of Williams crashed in to Alonso, the team put on the intermediate-tyres when he pitted, in anticipation of rain, which never came, and Alonso had to pit for a second time.
Ferrari needs to tighten their grip on strategy and close all loose ends if they are serious about challenging for the championship this season.
Of the remaining teams, Force India, who finished 5th on the grid at Spa, can count on their mercedes engine power and a stable car for a chance to get their first podium finish this season.
Renault has been so far the best improved team of the season, and though the engine comparatively lacks power at this high-speed circuit, their fans can vouch for a good result from it's lead driver Robert Kubica.
Mercedes lacks aero-efficiency, but can make up for with their powerful engine, and it remains to be seen how Michael Schumacher performs at one of his favourite tracks, as there would be many Italian fans cheering him on.
Here is a review of the high-speed Monza track and the chances of the title contenders at this year's Italian GP.
The Circuit
Monza is currently the fastest circuit on the calendar, with an average speed of 250 km/hr.
The circuit consist of harsh kerbs, hence requires precision driving and control on every lap.
The circuit has a few heavy braking zones that would be testing the car's brakes and putting pressure on the softer compound tyres.
Fans can look forward to witness powerful engines running at full speed, with ample scope of overtaking opportunities on the circuit.
Teams
Red Bull have qualified on pole position in 12 out of 13 races, and hence it makes them the favourite at the qualifying day.
The circuit overall demands a good aero efficiency from cars, and the Red Bull, with the best car on the grid, would have an added advantage amongst the top teams at Monza.
However, their Renault engine might lack more power on straight line speed, and the heavy braking zone is not to their car's liking.
McLaren lines up second favourite with Lewis Hamilton in great form after his recent victory at Spa, Belgium.
The McLaren has the unmatched power of mercedes engine and would be having an upperhand at full speed run on the straights.
McLaren's innovative F-duct would be of little help though as the track being of low-downforce nature, the effectiveness of the F-duct would be minimal.
The team has hence decided that they might do away with the F-duct at Monza.
However, the F-duct being an integral part of their car, it would be challenge for the team to get optimum performance in it's absence.
A disheartened Ferrari F1 team, who are favourites behind the Bulls and Mclaren here, are looking forward to positive results at their home GP in Monza this weekend.
Ferrari has good aero package and their tweaked engine is on par with that of mercedes engine in terms of power.
Ferrari have also been comfortable with heavy braking, and unlike Mclaren don't lose much running without their F-duct solution.
The biggest hindrance to the Italian outfit's challenge would be to lay out the best strategy, which has let them down at crucial juncture this season.
During the last GP, they released the drivers for the flying lap at qualifying just when it started to drizzle, that saw Alonso qualifying out of the top 5 grid position. Then, later during the race when Barrichello of Williams crashed in to Alonso, the team put on the intermediate-tyres when he pitted, in anticipation of rain, which never came, and Alonso had to pit for a second time.
Ferrari needs to tighten their grip on strategy and close all loose ends if they are serious about challenging for the championship this season.
Of the remaining teams, Force India, who finished 5th on the grid at Spa, can count on their mercedes engine power and a stable car for a chance to get their first podium finish this season.
Renault has been so far the best improved team of the season, and though the engine comparatively lacks power at this high-speed circuit, their fans can vouch for a good result from it's lead driver Robert Kubica.
Mercedes lacks aero-efficiency, but can make up for with their powerful engine, and it remains to be seen how Michael Schumacher performs at one of his favourite tracks, as there would be many Italian fans cheering him on.
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