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With Monza’s updated track, surface temperatures could reach 50 degrees or higher adding new challenges for teams at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza was constructed in 1922 as the world’s third purpose-built race track. It was part of the original Formula One calendar in 1950 and has hosted a race every year, bar 1980. However, track changes for the 2024 Italian Grand Prix will bring some ‘unknowns’ to the familiar track.
Formula One CEO, Stefano Domenicali had made it clear to many of the older circuits that an inability to modernise would affect their place on the F1 calendar. Due to this, the track affectionately referred to as the ‘Temple of Speed’ has seen a huge revamp for the 2024 Italian Grand Prix.
The entire track and pitlane have been resurfaced and the pitlane was also renovated. Resurfacing smoothed out any previous track imperfections and helped with the drainage.
Monza also faced underground work to aid the drainage work, with access tunnels being added. Kerbs were replaced and made lower and the Rettifilo and dello Roggia chicanes have both returned to gravel traps.
How does that affect this year’s cars?
New tarmac can bring challenges. Pirelli engineers took to Monza back in August, to run tests on the new track. The biggest takeaway was that the new tarmac is significantly darker than the old. This means it absorbs more heat than the old surface – which could be vital in regards to tyre wear.
Pirelli’s statement noted:
“This latter factor will have an impact on track temperature, which if the sun is shining could see it get hotter than in the past, even reaching significant highs of over 50°C.
“In theory, the new surface should offer more grip, which will impact tyre performance and their operating temperature range.”
Tyre management is likely going to be critical. With the current forecast of 30-degree weather, teams that can prevent their tyres from overheating will find themselves out front. This is where Mercedes hits trouble.
Potential problems for Mercedes
This year we’ve seen the W15 come alive at cooler tracks such as Montréal and Silverstone. The colder temperatures give the Mercedes more stability, especially in the rear tyres.
However, the warmer conditions are when the W15 struggles. Most recently in Zandvoort, we saw George Russell suffer from poor tyre degradation, dropping from P3 after the first lap to P7 by the chequered flag.
Mercedes trackside operations director Andrew Shovlin told Autosport that Mercedes, “Seems to be putting more temperature in the tyres than the others.” Although they are working on it, it will likely still affect them for Monza.
On the other side, teams that have impressive tyre degradation could have an edge around the Autodromo. McLaren has shown impressive levels in all temperatures that may benefit them come Sunday.
Mercedes aren’t the only team who will face trouble at Monza, all the teams are coming in blind with a lot of uncertainty surrounding how big the impact of the changes might be.
Free practice sessions will be even more important than usual. Giving teams and drivers the chance to figure out how the cars run on the new tarmac and ride the kerbs. All while avoiding the new gravel.
Featured Image Credit: Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images