Editing Monza Circuit (section)

==A lap of the circuit in a Formula One car==
[[File:Autodromo Nazionale Monza, April 22, 2018 SkySat (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Satellite photograph of the circuit from 2018]]
[[File:Autodromo Monza.jpg|thumb|The {{cvt|1.12|km|mi|abbr=on}} start/finish straight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/2015/italian-grand-prix/2015-italian-grand-prix-preview/|title=McLaren Formula 1 - 2015 Italian Grand Prix Preview|publisher=McLaren|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>]]

Monza, throughout its long and storied history has been known for its high-speed, simplistic nature (compared to "harder" circuits such as [[Marina Bay Street Circuit|Singapore]] or [[Circuit de Monaco|Monaco]], which are tight, unforgiving street circuits with lots of corners) thanks to its 1920s design and the few alterations it has received, and is currently the fastest track on the Formula One calendar and has been so since 1991. Monza consists of very long straights and tight chicanes, putting a premium on good braking stability and traction. The {{cvt|5.793|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=F1.comLap/> circuit is very hard on engines; Formula 1 engines are at full throttle for nearly 80% of the lap, with engine failures common, notably [[Fernando Alonso]] in the [[2006 Italian Grand Prix]] or [[Nico Rosberg]] in the [[2015 Italian Grand Prix]].

Drivers are on full throttle for most of the lap due to its long straights and fast corners, and is usually the scenario in which the open-wheeled Formula One cars show the raw [[speed]] of which they are capable: {{cvt|372|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} during the mid-2000s [[V10 engine]] formula, although in [[2012 Italian Grand Prix|2012]] with the 2.4L [[V8 engine]]s, top speeds in Formula One rarely reached over {{cvt|340|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}; the 1.6L turbocharged [[hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid]] [[V6 engine]], reduced-[[downforce]] formula of 2014 displayed top speeds of up to {{cvt|360|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The circuit is generally flat, but has a gradual gradient from the second Lesmos to the Variante Ascari. Due to the low [[aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] profile needed, with its resulting low [[downforce]],<ref name=Clarin>{{cite web |title=Fórmula 1: los pilotos tienen miedo por la seguridad en Monza |trans-title=Formula 1: the drivers are afraid for safety at Monza |url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/09/05/um/m-01265869.htm |publisher=Clairín.com |language=es|date=5 September 2006 |access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> the grip is very low; [[understeer]] is a more serious issue than at other circuits; however, the opposite effect, [[oversteer]], is also present in the second sector, requiring the use of a very distinctive [[opposite lock]] technique.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Since both maximum [[power (physics)|power]] and minimal drag are keys for speed on the straights, only competitors with enough power or aerodynamic efficiency at their disposal are able to challenge for the top places.<ref name=Clarin/>

Formula One cars are set up with one of the smallest wing angles on the F1 calendar to ensure the lowest level of drag on the straights. There are only 6 corner complexes at Monza: the first two chicanes, the two ''Lesmos'', the ''Ascari'' complex and the ''Parabolica''. Thus cars are set up for maximum performance on the straights.

Cars approach the first corner at {{cvt|340|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in eighth gear,<ref name=F1.comLap/> and brake at about {{convert|120|m|yd|abbr=on}} before the first chicane—the ''Variante del Rettifilo''—entering at {{cvt|86|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in second gear, and exiting at {{cvt|72|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in second gear.<ref name=F1.comLap/> This is the scene of many first-lap accidents. Higher kerbs were installed at the first two chicanes in 2009 to prevent cutting.<ref name="The Official Formula 1 Website">{{cite web |title=Bigger kerbs installed for Monza chicanes |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9881.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091004215814/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9881.html |publisher=formula 1.com |date=8 September 2009 |archive-date= 4 October 2009 |access-date=21 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Good traction out of the first corner is imperative for a quick lap. Conservation of speed through the first chicane is made possible by driving the straightest line, as a small mistake here can result in a lot of time being lost through the ''Curva Grande'' down to the ''Variante della Roggia'' chicane in eighth gear, at {{cvt|330|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=F1.comLap/> The braking point is just under the bridge. The kerbs are brutal and it is very easy for a car to become unbalanced and a driver to lose control, as [[Kimi Räikkönen]] did in 2005. This chicane is probably the best overtaking chance on the lap, as it is the only one with the "slow corner, long straight, slow corner"; one of the characteristics of modern circuits.
[[File:Monza aerial photo.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the Autodromo of Monza, with the village of Villasanta in the upper part. The city of Monza is southwards off to the right of the photo.]]

The ''Curve di Lesmo'' are two corners that are not as fast as they used to be, but are still challenging corners. The first is blind, entered at {{cvt|273|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in sixth gear, apexing at {{cvt|217|km/h|mph|abbr=on}},<ref name=F1.comLap/> and has a slight banking. The second is a seventh gear entry at {{cvt|278|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, apexing in fifth gear at {{cvt|203.5|km/h|mph|abbr=on}},<ref name=F1.comLap/> and it is very important that all the kerb is used. A mistake at one of these corners will result in a spin into the gravel, while good exits can set a driver up for an overtaking move into ''Variante Ascari''.

The downhill straight down to ''Variante Ascari'' is very bumpy under the bridge. ''Variante Ascari'' is a very tricky sequence of corners and is key to the lap time.

The final challenge is the ''Curva Parabolica Alboreto'': approaching at {{cvt|335|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in eighth gear,<ref name=F1.comLap/> cars quickly dance around the corner, apexing in sixth gear at {{cvt|229|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name=F1.comLap/> and exiting in sixth gear at {{cvt|285|km/h|mph|abbr=on}},<ref name=F1.comLap/> accelerating onto the main start/finish straight. A good exit and slipstream off a fellow driver along the main straight can produce an overtaking opportunity under heavy braking into ''Variante del Rettifilo''; however, it is difficult to follow a leading car closely through the ''Parabolica'' as the tow will reduce downforce and cornering speed.

The maximum speed recorded in a {{F1|2024}} Formula One car was {{cvt|357.1|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, established at the end of the start/finish straight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2024_16_ita_f1_r0_timing_racemaximumspeeds_v01.pdf |title=Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia 2024 – Race Maximum Speeds |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] |date=1 September 2024 |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref> They experience a maximum [[g-force]] of 4.50 during deceleration, and the track has many dramatic high to low speed transitions.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/09/the-ultra-fast-f1-track-where-the-biggest-problem-is-slowing-down/|title=The Ultra-Fast F1 Track Where the Biggest Problem Is Slowing Down|last=Golson|first=Jordan|magazine=Wired |access-date=2016-09-04}}</ref><ref name=F1.comLap/>