Italian Grand Prix Review

Brawn championship......That’s what many people are calling it after the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday at Monza. The two Red Bull drivers has a poor afternoon with Mark Webber out before the end of lap one and Sebastian Vettel only just making it into a point scoring position due to Lewis Hamilton crashing out on the final lap. With Lewis, Kimi Raikkonen and Adrian Sutil all running two stops at Monza, Ross Brawn knew he just had to keep his cars in sight of the front three.

This was helped with power of the Mercedes engine. In Saturday's practice and qualifying, the Mercedes powered cars (Mclaren, Force India and Brawn) were all in the top seven with only Nick Heidfeld (practice) and Kimi Raikkonen (qualifying) breaking the monopoly. They could have had a monopoly over the top six in the race but pre-race favourite Heikki Kovalainen could not keep the pace on his heavier fuel load and Tonio Liuzzi produced a strong drive on his return to Formula 1 but was unlucky with a driveshaft failure. The engine manufacture may have more on it's plate over the next few years with the paddock understanding that they will slowly phase in a buy-out of the Brawn team. This could end the 14 year partnership between Mclaren and Mercedes.

Until then, Liuzzi had kept up with pace in his first race in one and half years and would have been in a position to outscore team-mate Sutil and even dream of a podium in his home race. He also showed his racing skill had not left him with a brilliant pass on Kovalainen on the outside of Parabolica. The Force India has been so strong on the low downforce circuits lately that they could have won either race. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up at the next round on the roads of Singapore. I hope they can but feel they will not be as strong as the last two rounds, maybe getting a couple of points at most.


The main story over the weekend was the rumors that the Renault team asked Nelson Piquet Jr to crash on purpose in Singapore last year to create a safety car, which in turn was the only way that Alonso could make a mad fuel strategy work. Flavio Briatore accused Piquet Jr of blackmail and launched criminal proceedings against Piquet and his father but has sensationally left the team alongside Pat Symonds, who was offered immunity in return for information about the event. This, and the team not contesting the charge, shows the many people that the members of the team involved are guilty. Apparently this is only three members, Piquet, Britatore and Symonds. I feel if it is honestly true, that it is poor sportsmanship and proves that a few members of the team would put members of circuit staff, drivers and spectators at risk to win a grand prix. Then again, even if it guaranteed Piquet a race seat next season, why did he do it? Why didn't he tell Flavio where to go and prove himself on the track? The questions will go on.....


It is also good to see the Lotus name returning to Formula one in the place of BMW Sauber. Although the BMW team has been sold for next season, Formula one chiefs are trying to organise a 28 car grid for next season with 14 teams. This would allow BMW's new owners to continue and the four new teams to start racing in 2010. I think this will be great and can see no problems with a larger grid and hopefully the new teams will be able to follow Force India's example by creating a successful package.


Red Bull had something to cheer at Monza with their junior driver Daniel Ricciardo winning the BritishF3 title and has marked himself as someone to watch out for in the future. He will probably join Carlin in World Series by Renault next season.


To end with, well done to Nico Hulkenberg for winning the GP2 title at Monza, with a round to spare. He has defiantly lined himself for a Formula one drive next year and the world has gone mad if he does not get one somewhere, I think Williams.