Italian GP: Free Practice 2 - Re-Cap & Results

Free Practice 2 - Re-Cap & Results

Another good session at Monza, only a few hours after FP1. It was time for all original drivers to get back to their cars. 

Hamilton was out for the whole first hour of the session due to Electrical issues. Mercedes had the floor of the car off as they worked hard to get him out for at least a few laps. Luckily they did, and he finished with the second fastest time. His team-mate Rosberg finished in 1st, making it another Mercedes 1-2.

Lots of drivers were mentioning lack of grip in this session. Many were running wide at the new Parabolica run-off. Opinions are varying with this. Some drivers like it, others feel it shouldn't've been changed.

Here are the final times from the Session.

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:26.225 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:26.286 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:26.331 / Ferrari-Ferrari

4. Fernando Alonso - 1:26.565 / Ferrari-Ferrari

5. Valtteri Bottas - 1:26.758 / Williams-Mercedes

6. Jenson Button - 1:26.762 / McLaren-Mercedes

7. Sebastian Vettel - 1:26.762 / Red Bull-Renault

8. Kevin Magnussen - 1:26.881 / McLaren-Mercedes

9. Felipe Massa - 1:26.935 / Williams-Mercedes

10. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:26.992 / Red Bull-Renault

11. Sergio Perez - 1:27.079 / Force India-Mercedes

12. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:27.227 / Force India-Mercedes

13. Daniil Kvyat - 1:27.476 / Toro Rosso-Renault

14. Esteban Gutierrez - 1:27.840 / Sauber-Ferrari

15. Jean-Eric Vergne - 1:27.929 / Toro Rosso-Renault

16. Adrian Sutil - 1:28.029 / Sauber-Ferrari

17. Jules Bianchi - 1:28.659 / Marussia-Ferrari

18. Pastor Maldonado - 1:28.700 / Lotus-Renault

19. Max Chilton - 1:28.786 / Marussia-Ferrari

20. Romain Grosjean - 1:29.085 / Lotus-Renault

21. Kamui Kobayashi - 1:29.178 / Caterham-Renault

22. Marcus Ericsson - 1:29.275 / Caterham-Renault 

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Make sure you're following us on Twitter @F1Insider78 for Free Practice 3 later today!

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Italian GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Results

Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap

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The Italian Grand Prix weekend is in full gear with drivers getting right to the point of setting their best times in Free Practice 1. Before we get into the times, as always we note driver changes.

Changes for this session included: 

1. Charles Pic in for Romain Grosjean

2. Giedo Van Der Garde in for Adrian Sutil

3. Roberto Merhi in for Kamui Kobayashi

4. Daniel Juncadella in for Sergio Perez (First 30 Minutes of Session only.)

With that said, it was a very good start to Friday despite drivers having to learn how to take-on the new Parabolica run-off area. Lots of drivers were seen running wide there, along with going through the run-off areas at the chicanes. Monza is and always has been a very challenging track.

Daniel Ricciardo was out of the session early when something went wrong with his Red Bull. He came over the radio, telling the team "Fail 1" and the team told him promptly to Box. Red Bull later confirmed it was an engine failure. 

Daniel Juncadella was given the first 30 minutes of the session in Sergio Perez's VJM07 - Which didn't go quite as planned, when during his run, the floor of the car got damaged in an off-track moment, leaving the Force India crew the job of taking off and replacing the floor of the car before Sergio could go out for his first run. Luckily, both Sergio and Nico Hulkenberg had a great session.

The Mercedes 1-2 didn't happen this time around, as Jenson Button quickly made his way into the second slot with his timed lap, breaking the AMG pair up into 1st and 3rd.

Here are the times from this session. Because both Juncadelle and Perez took part in this session, there are a total of 23 times on the chart.

TIMES:

1. Lewis Hamilton - 1:26.187 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Jenson Button - 1:26.810 / McLaren-Mercedes

3. Nico Rosberg - 1:26.995 / Mercedes-Mercedes

4. Fernando Alonso - 1:27.169 / Ferrari-Ferrari

5. Kevin Magnussen - 1:27.228 / McLaren-Mercedes

6. Sebastian Vettel - 1:27.271 / Red Bull-Renault

7. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:27.493 / Ferrari-Ferrari

8. Sergio Perez - 1:27.687 / Force India-Mercedes

9. Daniil Kvyat - 1:27.741 / Toro Rosso-Renault

10. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:28.112 / Force India-Mercedes

11. Esteban Gutierrez - 1:28.114 / Sauber-Ferrari

12. Valtteri Bottas - 1:28.148 / Williams-Mercedes

13. Felipe Massa - 1:28.150 / Williams-Mercedes

14. Jean-Eric Vergne - 1:28.300 / Toro Rosso-Renault

15. Giedo Van Der Garde - 1:28.429 / Sauber-Ferrari

16. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:28.487 / Red Bull-Renault

17. Daniel Juncadella - 1:29.192 / Force India-Mercedes

18. Pastor Maldonado - 1:29.512 / Lotus-Renault

19. Max Chilton - 1:30.017 / Marussia-Ferrari

20. Jules Bianchi - 1:30.081 / Marussia-Ferrari

21. Charles Pic - 1:30.125 / Lotus-Renault

22. Roberto Merhi - 1:30.704 / Caterham-Renault

23. Marcus Ericsson - 1:30.948 / Caterham-Renault

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Make sure you follow us @F1Insider78 on twitter for LIVE commentary coverage and updates throughout the Italian GP weekend!

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Caterham

Preview Quotes - Caterham

Kamui Kobayashi - "I am working for Caterham F1 Team and I always respect team decisions. Now I am back in the car and looking forward to going racing again! We have worked hard as a team and added performance to the car as well as bringing new updates since I last drove in Hungary before the summer break, so I'm looking forward to feeling the updates on track here in Monza. I always enjoy the Italian GP, not only because of its high-speed nature; I also like the Italian fans, they are always very enthusiastic and a very big part of the Italian GP weekend. They create a very special atmosphere."

Marcus Ericsson - "I always enjoy racing at such a legendary circuit as Monza, where I scored one of my 13 GP2 podium finishes, but to do it for the first time driving a Formula One car is going to be even more special. I can't wait to get out on track: the long straights and fast corners mean that we are on full-throttle for most of the lap; it's a fantastic high-speed layout – in fact it's the circuit with the highest top speed of the season, so maximum power and minimal drag will be key.

After a solid race in Belgium, we need to build on the progress we made with the car and continue to work in this direction. We aim to fight against our nearest rivals and it will surely be another close battle I am ready for."

Roberto Merhi (Driving in FP1) - "I am delighted to be taking part in my first ever Formula One Free Practice session and I want to thank Caterham F1 Team for this opportunity – it's something I've wanted for a very long time! I've been working very closely with the team during the last few weeks and I feel ready for this opportunity; Friday is going to be a very special day for me and one I will never forget. Monza is also one of my favourite tracks – I ended up on the podium there earlier this year during my first race of the season in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship, so it's a circuit that will bring back very good memories. What a year it's been so far: last Christmas I didn't really know if I was going to carry on racing and now I'm about to drive a Formula One car! I'm definitely going to make the most out of this weekend in Italy."

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Marussia

Preview Quotes - Marussia

Jules Bianchi - "Every driver has a few favourite Grand Prix venues, but I consider myself very fortunate to have effectively four home races on the calendar this season: Monaco, Silverstone, Monza and Sochi. I am very proud to be a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and I know how special this race is for Scuderia Ferrari. To be able to race in front of the Tifosi is a very exciting and intensely emotional experience and it is nice to know that not just me, but the whole Marussia F1 Team, can feel part of that this weekend in Monza, as the fans will want everything Ferrari to be successful. The last race in Spa did not go well for me and it was especially disappointing after a qualifying performance I felt very pleased with. I hope to combine a good qualifying with a good race this time and reward the passion of the Italian fans."

Max Chilton - "The Italian Grand Prix is a significant race for the whole Team as not only is this the final European round of the season, but also the home race of our powertrain partners, Scuderia Ferrari. I love Monza; it's impossible not to get caught up in the magic of such a historic racing venue and I always take a trip out to the old banking when I race here. I had a good race in Spa, which enabled the Team to achieve at least part of its objectives for the weekend. For the remaining Grands Prix we need to keep fighting for good qualifying and race results, to ensure we maintain our current grasp on 9th place in the Constructors' Championship. I'm looking forward to the whole Monza experience and, hopefully, a nice reward for the support I'm sure we will receive from the Tifosi."

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

Jean-Eric Vergne - “It’s the home race for us at Toro Rosso and I’m really looking forward to the weekend, because it’s always great to perform in front of the Tifosi, who really make this Grand Prix special. I think it might be a difficult race for us, as it is very much a power track where you need to be flying down the straights, which is maybe not our biggest strength this year. We will still be doing our best to have a good home race. I love the atmosphere here and I have good memories of when I won here in the World Series.”

Daniil Kvyat - “I really like Monza and it’s been an important circuit for me, as I have taken some major wins and podium finishes there. Last year was particularly good, when I won Race 1 in the GP3 category and then came second in Race 2 in which they reverse the grid order for the front runners. It’s a very challenging track, especially for the rookie drivers, as it is a very high speed and demanding circuit. I have always enjoyed driving it in the junior formulas and I hope it will still be the case in the Formula One car this year. I have spent a lot of my life in Italy, so it’s going to be cool to be in a familiar atmosphere. Of course, it’s also Toro Rosso’s home race, which will make what is always a highlight of the Formula One calendar even more special.

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Williams

Preview Quotes - Williams

Felipe Massa - “Monza is a place I enjoy. I love the people and the fans and I hope now despite the fact that I have moved teams that they still support and cheer for me. Monza is a special circuit as it’s so quick, but the corners are quite slow. Aerodynamics are vital at a track like this and that could benefit us over the weekend. I hope to be competitive here as I think the Italian fans would like to see us do well.”

Valtteri Bottas - “Monza could be a great track for our car and I know we will be busy with our partners, many of whom are coming to Italy. The track is really good fun to drive and it is important to have good straight-line speeds as it has some very quick straights. We have a track specific aero package that we will take, combine that with the strong power-unit and we could have a very competitive weekend.”

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - McLaren

Preview Quotes - McLaren

Jenson Button - “I think every racing driver looks forward to Monza. It’s one of the greatest circuits in the world, with a unique layout and an atmosphere and vibe that make it probably the most special place we visit each year. I’ll never grow tired of going there.

Driving out of the pits at Monza is always cool. You’ve been so used to the higher downforce levels that we run at most other circuits, that it just feels crazy when the speeds keeps rising and rising - it never seems to end. And, with ERS and DRS, I think we could have a very special Monza race.

It’s such a fast circuit that it really requires a different driving approach to any other circuit on the calendar. You’re running such low levels of downforce that braking and accelerating are made much trickier - under heavy braking, the car is constantly trying to break away from you; equally, when you’re trying to get the throttle down, the car is unsettled, so the rear is squirming around. It’s a unique challenge.”

Kevin Magnussen - “I last raced at Monza in the World Series by Renault 3.5 back in April last year. I was runner-up in both events, and took a pole too. I’m looking forward to getting back there: it’s such a great racetrack, and it’s a Grand Prix I’ve watched since I was very young - it’s a place where I’ve always wanted to race a Formula One car.

With this year’s hybrid cars, I think Monza will be spectacular, too. We’re expecting to see top-speeds in the region of about 345km/h (214mph) - and that’s without a tow - which ought to be the fastest speeds we’ll have seen so far this season. That will be great for the fans. I think we showed at Spa-Francorchamps that our low-downforce package has kept us in the mix, and I’d like to come away from the Italian weekend with some good points for the team. I certainly think we’re making progress, and it would be good to pull it all together over the course of a single weekend.”

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Preview Quotes - Sauber

Esteban Gutierrez - "I am looking forward to going to Monza. Due to the track layout, we need a high top speed in order to be fast on the straights. Monza's characteristics are different in comparison to the other circuits on the calendar. On one side, there are long straights, but on the other there are also two very slow chicanes on which we will use the kerbs. Therefore, the mechanical set-up of the car is crucial. From an aerodynamic point of view, it is important to have low drag, and, as a result, the downforce is much reduced. Ascari and Parabolica are my favourite corners on the track. In Monza it is not only the circuit that is special, but also the event itself. I am always excited to go there."

Adrian Sutil - "The race weekend in Monza is always a very special event due to the popularity of Formula 1 and the tifosi. It is surely one of my favourite Grands Prix, as the Italians are great fans, and they generate a nice atmosphere around the track. The circuit is the fastest on the calendar, and I am curious about the top speed on the straights with the new engines. The car needs to be stable under braking, as in the first chicane we reduce our speed from approximately 340 kph to about 60 kph, and on top of that we hit the kerbs. On the long straights a high top speed is important, which can be achieved by a very low downforce. As Pirelli has chosen the medium and hard compounds, it could be a challenge for us to bring the tyres up to temperature. After the German Grand Prix, the race weekend in Monza is another home race for the team, as the track is not far away from the Swiss border. I am looking forward to racing there, the Italian Grand Prix has a remarkable history."

Giedo Van Der Garde (Reserve) - "It is great to be back again in the cockpit on Friday morning. Particularly in Monza, there is always a special atmosphere, and the Italian people are really passionate about motorsport. I like this high speed track, and with the new engines and the special aero package we will be very quick on the straights. It is important to have a high straight-line speed, and to be fast through the chicanes. We need to find a compromise with the downforce level resulting in a high straight-line speed, but also finding the right set-up for a stable car. During the first free practice session we will test different configurations in order to find the best possible package. My favourite corner is Ascari, which is very technical and for me a perfect combination. I believe the spectators will see a lot of oversteering cars there. The track has quite high kerbs, while when you brake hard the rear is moving and the car is sliding around. It is good fun, and I look forward to driving there."

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Force India

Preview Quotes - Force India

Nico Hulkenberg - "It's a fantastic weekend and I really enjoy everything about the event: the town, the people and the track. The atmosphere is just brilliant with the energy of the fans and the history of the place. It's also a fun track to drive. It looks simple, but hooking up a quick lap is still a challenge and it's easy to make mistakes. I expect us to be quite competitive there - it should be better for us than Spa. It's all about power and top speed and we know the engine will be strong. We also have a new low downforce rear wing that we will use for Monza only. Braking from top speed for the chicanes with a skinny rear wing is always tricky."

Sergio Perez - "Monza is another favourite of mine. I think everybody enjoys going there because it's such a beautiful location. I raced there a few times before Formula One and always had good results. I was on the podium two years ago (finishing second) – it was one of my best races in Formula One and a very special memory. I think it's going to be a good track for us. It's important to qualify in the top ten to have a chance of scoring good points. It's difficult to overtake at Monza and if you are out of position it's hard to recover."

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Preview Quotes - Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton - "The Italian Grand Prix is always a special one for me in terms of the memories I have there - going right back to my early career. The karting championships used to race in Italy quite often and it's also where I met Nico - so that's where our rivalry really began. Monza is such a historic circuit and to win there is a really special feeling. I had that experience in 2012 and I'd love to do it again in 2014. Last season we really struggled at this race - but we have a fantastic car this year and I'm confident we can make up for it this time around. One thing I always love about racing at Monza is the fans. They're just so passionate about motorsport and the buzz around the place is unbelievable - particularly on the podium. Hopefully we can reward them with some exciting racing. My aim for the weekend, of course, is to claw back the gap in the drivers' championship. It's as big as it's been all season so I've got a lot of work ahead of me - but anything can happen in this sport. I won't give up until the flag drops in Abu Dhabi and there's still plenty of points to be won before then, so it's far from over yet."

Nico Rosberg - "Monza is a circuit I really enjoy going to. Firstly, the history of the place is fantastic and then there's the fans - the Tifosi - who make an incredible atmosphere. I've not had much luck at this race in the past - 2011 in particular where I didn't even make it past the first corner! But this year things are different. We have a great car and with the Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Power Unit behind us I feel confident we can get a really great result. It's still all to play for in the Championship and with the double points race in Abu Dhabi anything can still happen. I'm focused on taking the maximum points possible in the remaining seven races and I know the team is too - starting with a top result this weekend."

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