VIDEO // FERRARI 458 CHALLENGE TESTING @ MONZA

Watch (and listen) as Ferrari's latest purpose-built racing car, the 2011 458 Challenge, laps the Autodromo Nazionale Monza during a test session earlier this month. The 458 Challenge, which is powered by a 570hp 4.5-liter V8, will make its racing debut when the 2011 Ferrari Challenge kicks off next March // [comment]

NEWS // THIRD GENERATION GP2 CAR UNVEILED

Ahead of last weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the GP2 feeder series held its penultimate race of the season, where Pastor Maldonado, driving for the Italian team Rapax, clinched the series title in its sixth season. Following the race, the series officials unveiled the third-generation GP2 spec racer... [read more]

Dubbed the GP2/11, the new car is designed and built by Italian chassis manufacturer Dallara. The car will be used exclusively by all of the GP2 teams for the next three seasons. Notable changes include a larger diffuser, a narrower rear wing, a raked front nose and anvil-shaped engine cover, and, like Formula One, the new GP2 car will switch from Bridgestone rubber to new Pirelli compounds. The car will see its first race early next year in the GP2 Asia Series.

Image and Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // COSWORTH CONFIRMS SPLIT WITH LOTUS

English engineering firm, Cosworth, has just announced they will not supply engines to Lotus for the 2011 Formula One season. In a statement released yesterday, Cosworth had this to say: "Cosworth has reached an agreement in principle with Lotus Racing whereby the team’s Cosworth engine supply agreement will come to a conclusion at the end of the current Formula One season. This agreement is subject to contract and until the agreement is signed, neither party will be making any further comment." According to our sources, Lotus is negotiating with Renault to supply their engines for the 2011 season, as continued problems with Cosworth's gearbox is believed to be the motivating factor behind the change // [comment]

2010 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX // RACE RESULTS

Having lost the lead early in the race, Fernando Alonso was able to regain the position from Jenson Button and win this weekends Italian Grand Prix. Button would go on to finish second ahead, while Alonso's teammate, Felipe Massa, finished third. Follow the link for complete results... [read more]

2010 Italian Grand Prix // Race Results:

1 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 53 1
2 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 53 2.938 2.938 2
3 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 53 4.223 1.285 3
4 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 53 28.196 23.973 6
5 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 53 29.942 1.746 7
6 6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 53 31.276 1.334 4
7 10 Nico Hülkenberg Williams-Cosworth 53 32.812 1.536 8
8 11 Robert Kubica Renault 53 34.028 1.216 9
9 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 53 44.948 10.920 12
10 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 53 64.213 19.265 10
11 16 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 53 65.056 0.843 14
12 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 53 66.106 1.050 19
13 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault 53 78.919 12.813 20
14 22 Pedro de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 52 1 lap 1 lap 16
15 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 52 1 lap 7.378 11
16 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 52 1 lap 55.999 15
17 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 51 2 laps 1 lap 24
18 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 51 2 laps 2.395 18
19 20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 51 2 laps 55.175 23
20 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 50 3 laps 1 lap 21
18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 46 7 laps 4 laps 17
21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 11 42 laps 35 laps 22
2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 0 53 laps 11 laps 5
23 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 0 53 laps 0.000 13

Image and Info: F1Fanatic
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

2010 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX // PRACTICE RESULTS

Sebastian Vettel finished atop the time sheets in the second free practice session ahead of this weekend Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Vettel, who managed to lap the 3.6 mile circuit in just 1:22.839, finished the day seven hundredths of a second faster than Fernando Alonso, while Felipe Massa finished the day third overall with a 1:23.061 lap time. Follow the link for complete results from both of today's free practice sessions... [read more]

Free Practice Two // Complete Results:

1 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1′22.839
2 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1′22.915 0.076
3 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1′23.061 0.222
4 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1′23.154 0.315
5 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1′23.210 0.371
6 6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1′23.415 0.576
7 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1′23.708 0.869
8 11 Robert Kubica Renault 1′23.709 0.870
9 10 Nico Hülkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1′23.852 1.013
10 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1′23.857 1.018
11 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1′24.181 1.342
12 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1′24.380 1.541
13 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1′24.407 1.568
14 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1′24.448 1.609
15 16 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1′24.517 1.678
16 22 Pedro de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1′24.547 1.708
17 23 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1′24.785 1.946
18 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1′25.106 2.267
19 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1′26.204 3.365
20 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1′26.306 3.467
21 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1′26.631 3.792
22 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1′26.676 3.837
23 20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1′29.498 6.659
24 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth

Free Practice One // Complete Results:

1 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1′23.693 28
2 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1′23.790 0.097 27
3 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1′23.967 0.274 25
4 11 Robert Kubica Renault 1′24.120 0.427 25
5 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1′24.129 0.436 30
6 6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1′24.446 0.753 26
7 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1′24.512 0.819 19
8 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1′24.543 0.850 24
9 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1′24.648 0.955 22
10 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1′24.756 1.063 26
11 10 Nico Hülkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1′24.841 1.148 28
12 14 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1′24.923 1.230 23
13 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1′25.292 1.599 25
14 16 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1′25.318 1.625 29
15 22 Pedro de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1′25.320 1.627 20
16 23 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1′25.334 1.641 24
17 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1′25.897 2.204 19
18 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1′26.772 3.079 19
19 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1′26.898 3.205 12
20 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1′26.956 3.263 17
21 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1′27.374 3.681 14
22 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 1′28.256 4.563 8
23 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1′28.516 4.823 4
24 20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1′29.870 6.177 17

Image and Info: F1Fanatic
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

GEAR // VITANTONIO LUZZI'S MONZA HELMET

The gentlemen at Kaos-Design have just unveiled Vitantonio Luzzi's new helmet, designed specifically for this weekends Italian Grand Prix. As you can see, Luzzi decided being PC was overrated and instead chose to highlight Italy's two most prominent exports, spaghetti and gangsters... [read more]



Click here for additional images courtesy of Kaos-Design.

Images and Info: Axis of Oversteer
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

RACE PREVIEW // VETTEL PREPARES FOR ITALIAN GP @ MONZA

Preparing for this weekend Italian Grand Prix and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Sebastian Vettel takes us for a flying lap around the old Italian circuit in Red Bull's F1 simulator. Click here for the video // [comment]

HISTORY // THE 4 HOURS OF MONZA - 1971

From our friend Harlo at The Chicane, check out this wonderful footage shot during the first round of the 1971 European Touring Car Championship, the 4 Hours of Monza. Featuring cars such as the Alfa Romeo GTA, BMW 2002 and 2800, Fiat 500, Ford Escort and even a Chevrolet Camaro, this footage is certainly worth a few minutes of your lunch break.

Follow the link for parts two and three... [read more]





Video(s): The Chicane
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

WTCC // PRIAULX AND MULLER WIN @ MONZA

Both Andy Priaulx and Yvan Muller took unexpected race victories at Monza yesterday in the third round of this years World Touring Car Championship. The BMW and Chevrolet drivers were handed victory through the misfortune of others as a spate of tyre failures hit Tarquini and Huff in race one and then the Seat of Mickael Nykjaer in race two... [read more]

The opening race had seen Tarquini lead onto the final lap before suffering a front blow-out at the Ascari chicane. With this Robb Huff looked odds on to take the flag with only half a lap to go but amazingly he had the same tyre failure going into the final turn allowing the chasing BMW's of Priaulx and Farfus through to victory. Notably Huff continued to the line and third place albeit on the deflated tyre.

Reverse grid race two saw Nykjaer on pole alongside Tarquini as the lights went out. The former Danish touring car champion took the lead when Tarquini was handed a drive through penalty for a jumped start. After building a comfortable cushion over his rivals heartbreak struck as the Sunred Seat fell foul to yet another front left tyre failure just as the Dane started the last lap. Picking up the pieces was Frenchman Yvan Muller in the Chevrolet Cruze, as the former champion duly accepted the victory and with it a 24 point lead in the championship standings.

Race One Results:

1. Andy Priaulx BMW 18m32.008s
2. Augusto Farfus BMW +0.248
3. Robert Huff Chevrolet +1.653
4. Yvan Muller Chevrolet +1.820
5. Tom Coronel SEAT +2.271
6. Fredy Barth SEAT +2.308
7. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT +2.375
8. Michel Nykjaer SEAT +2.726
9. Tiago Monteiro SEAT +3.243
10. Mehdi Bennani BMW +3.972
11. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet +9.032
12. Stefano D'Aste BMW +10.000
13. Sergio Hernandez BMW +11.575
14. Andrey Romanov BMW +30.320
15. Fabio Fabiani BMW +59.155
16. Jordi Gené SEAT + 1 lap
17. Alain Menu Chevrolet + 1 lap


Race Two Results:

1. Yvan Muller Chevrolet 18m29.805s
2. Tom Coronel SEAT +0.512
3. Rob Huff Chevrolet +0.822
4. Augusto Farfus BMW +1.001
5. Andy Priaulx BMW +1.742
6. Jordi Gene SEAT +3.495
7. Tiago Monteiro SEAT +4.197
8. Norbert Michelisz SEAT +4.580
9. Alain Menu Chevrolet +5.099
10. Leonel Pernia Chevrolet +9.918
11. Stefano D'Aste BMW +11.856
12. Darryl O'Young Chevrolet +13.499
13. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet +14.368
14. Fredy Barth SEAT +14.506
15. Kristian Poulsen BMW +14.836
16. Sergio Hernandez BMW +15.266
17. Mehdi Bennani BMW +33.557
18. Fabio Fabiani BMW +49.454


Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photos: WTCC

WTCC // FARFUS ON POLE @ MONZA

Augusto Farfus took BMW's first pole of the 2010 WTCC season at Monza today. The Brazilian will share the front row for tomorrows first race with British driver Rob Huff in the RML Chevrolet Cruze who prevented an all RBM BMW front row by displacing Andy Priaulx to the inside of the second row. Swiss Alain Menu took fourth spot ahead of the fastest of the Seat's in the hands of Frenchman Yvan Muller. Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini finished Q2 in seventh place after being fastest in Q1... [read more]

WTCC Round 3 @ Monza // Qualifying Results:

01 Augusto Farfus Jr. BMW 2:00.672
02 Robert Huff Chevrolet +0.025
03 Andy Priaulx BMW +0.135
04 Alain Menu Chevrolet +0.227
05 Yvan Muller Seat +0.406
06 Jordi Gené Seat +0.728
07 Gabriele Tarquini Seat +0.872
08 Norbert Michelisz Seat +1.059
09 Fredy Barth Seat +1.254
10 Tiago Monteiro Seat +1.255

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: WTCC

VIDEO // THE 1967 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX @ MONZA

The 1967 Italian Grand Prix at Monza saw John Surtees collect his first and only victory of the season, and the second ever Formula One victory for Honda. Surtees' win would be Honda's last until Jenson Button gave the team their third and final win at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Surtees, who had started in 9th, made quick work of the eight cars in front of him and took an early lead. Jack Brabham, who had started from 2nd, moved in behind Surtees and proceeded to do battle with the English racing driver for much of the race. Starting from pole, Jim Clark in his Ford powered Lotus 49, lost ground to Surtees and Brabham, and would go on to finish the race some 23 seconds off their pace. When the checkered flag waved, Surtees crossed the line a mere 0.2 seconds ahead of Brabham // [comment]

VIDEO // ON-BOARD A McLAREN F1 GTR @ MONZA

Following the release of McLaren's MP4-12C, I decided to browse YouTube's archives and see if I could find a decent bit of film featuring their original street car, the F1. After a few hours of browsing, what I came up with was this. Shot at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza before the circuit was updated in 2000, enjoy two minutes in a McLaren F1 GTR courtesy of MT89 Motorsports // [comment]

NEWS // WTCC RETURNS TO MONZA IN 2010

The European section of next years FIA World Touring Car Championship will kick off at Monza, as the legendary venue returns to the calendar.

Last season Imola hosted the Italian round of the championship, but for 2010 the famous GP circuit returns to host the series for the fourth time. In another change the race in Morocco, Marrakech, has now been moved two weeks forward in the season... [read more]

Revised Official 2010 FIA WTCC Calendar:

7 March: Curitiba, Brazil
11 April: Puebla-Amozoc, Mexico
2 May: Marrakech, Morocco
23 May: Monza, Italy
20 June: Zolder, Belgium
4 July: Portimão, Portugal
18 July: Brands Hatch, United Kingdom
1 August: Brno, Czech Republic
5 September: Oschersleben, Germany
19 September: Valencia, Spain
31 October: Okayama, Japan
21 November: Macau

--
Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: WTCC Media

VIDEO // DINDO CAPELLO @ 2009 MONZA RALLY SHOW

Ride along with Rinaldo 'Dindo' Capello, as he competes against a field of motor sport professionals during last months Monza Rally Show. At the wheel of a Citroen C4 WRC, Capello managed to best nine time MotoGP Champion, Valentino Rossi, to claim the top spot on the podium // [comment]

EVENT // THE 2009 MONZA RALLY SHOW

Late last month, the annual Monza Rally Show was held at the world renowned Autodromo Nazionale Monza, just a few miles North of Milan, Italy. Utilizing a portion of the current Formula One circuit and parts of the infamous Monza Banking, the Monza Rally Show is an annual gathering of motor sport competitors, where teams of two compete against one another in WRC cars. Amongst those in attendance was nine time MotoGP Champion, Valentino Rossi, as well as Audi's Le Mans driver, Dindo Capello // [comment]

BAVARIAN MADNESS @ MONZA // FORMULA BMW FIANLE

Running in conjunction with this years Italian Grand Prix at Monza, check out this bit of video from the final rounds of the 2009 Formula BMW European Championship // [comment]

RACE RESULTS // 2009 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX @ MONZA

Rubens Barrichello and teammate Jenson Button led yet another one-two finish for Brawn GP, as a late race incident caused current World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, to lose control of his McLaren, handing the race win over to Rubens Barrichello and Ross Brawn. While the Brazilian certainly ran an error free race, it was a combination of pit strategy and tire wear that put Barrichello at the front. Also on the podium was the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen, who having qualified third, was able to maintain his grid position for much of the race and bring home another podium finish for the Scuderia. Also of note was the 4th place finish of Adrian Sutil, who after qualifying second, ran an error free race himself, but was held back by a two-stop strategy that allowed Lewis Hamilton and the pair of Brawn GP drivers to take the front.

The win for Barrichello puts him within 14 points of his teammate Jenson Button, the current championship points leader. Follow the link for a bit of video, a handful of images and complete results from the 2009 Italian Grand Prix at Monza... [read more]


Here is a look at the final lap incident that took Lewis Hamilton out of the race.










Complete Results // 2009 Italian Grand Prix:
1. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes
2. Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
4. Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes
5. Fernando Alonso, Renault
6. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes
7. Nick Heidfeld, BMW
8. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault
9. Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari
10. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota
11. Timo Glock, Toyota
12. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
13. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari
14. Jarno Trulli, Toyota
15. Romain Grosjean, Renault
16. Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

DNF:
Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 22 laps
Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 19 laps
Robert Kubica, BMW, 15 laps
Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 0 laps

Images & Info: F1Fanatic
Video: Axis of Oversteer

QUALIFYING RESULTS // 2009 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX @ MONZA

With the 2009 Italian Grand Prix set to begin in but a few hours (4.5 to be exact) I thought it would be good to post a few photos as well as complete results from yesterdays qualifying session at Monza. Follow the link for a look... [read more]







Qualifying Results // 2009 Italian Grand Prix:
1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes – 1:24.066
2. Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes – 1:24.261
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari – 1:24.523
4. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes – 1:24.845
5. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes – 1:25.015
6. Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes – 1:25.030
7. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes – 1:25.043
8. Fernando Alonso, Renault – 1:25.072
9. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault – 1:25.180
10. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault – 1:25.314
11. Jarno Trulli, Toyota – 1:23.611
12. Romain Grosjean, Renault – 1:23.728
13. Robert Kubica, BMW – 1:23.866
14. Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari – 1:23.901
15. Nick Heidfeld, BMW – 1:24.275
16. Timo Glock, Toyota – 1:24.036
17. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota – 1:24.074
18. Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota – 1:24.121
19. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari – 1:24.220
20. Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari – 1:24.961

Images & Info: F1Fanatic