Italian GP 2012 - QF

A new type of Pirelli tyre with Mercedes power seems to be the fastest combination in Monza. Both McLarens were at the top of the charts in P2 and Schumacher & Rosberg were 1-3 in the morning P1, but Ferrari is right in the mix. 

There were a lot of laps devoted by all the teams to find the fine aerobalance required for the fast straights of the circuit plus corner stability. McLaren brought new a rear wing specially for Monza that seems to be the right kit to have, at least on single-lap configuration. Button was consistently quick until Hamilton bolted new options and set the marker for the day. Behind the silver cars the Ferraris had a strong showing, particularly with Alonso going very fast on the primes in the long run simulations and close to the leaders on mediums too, although there are some concerns for the leader of the Championship when he stopped with engine problem in P1 and lost many crucial practice laps in P2 with other mechanical issues including a gearbox failure. 

Pirelli brought the same compound spec as in Spa (medium-hard) with a thinner gauge rubber that gets up to temperature easier and doesn’t overheat. This has benefited McLaren (particularly Button) and Mercedes but has taken away some of Red Bull’s advantage. Webber in 11th and Vettel in 13th in P2 is not where they wanted to be, the Red Bulls are lacking in single-lap performance although they showed great form in the long-runs on race trim. Mercedes is looking better in this high speed layout that doesn’t have the sustained fast-long corners; Monza is all about quick direction changes and power and Rosberg & Schumacher are looking good for QF but who knows comes race day. Lotus keeps their patter of having the best chassis in heavier fuel loads but they can’t get the E20 to perform its best on QF trim. The top speed through the traps was done by Grosjean- stand in D’Ambrosio (DAM) at 345kph followed by Kimi at 343hkp, Button 342, & Hamilton 341, same as both Force India. 

P1- SCH (1.25.422) BUT ROS ALO MAS HAM RAI PER WEB MAL –VET (11) 

P2- HAM (1.25.240) BUT ALO MAS ROS RAI DIR HUL PER SCH 

At least this time we are not completely in the dark to make our QF selections, let’s see how much race performance the teams are willing to compromise in order to have a good qualifying. With race strategies expected to be only one stop on Sunday, grid positions wil be at a premium. 

Here we go: Cato – HAM BUT SCH 

Let’s see what you think, 

Good Luck! 

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