BMW Sauber Monza preview (the team)
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director: Monza is the classic high-speed track. The biggest challenges here are for the aerodynamics and engine experts. The switch to V8 engines has increased the proportion of each lap spent at full throttle from 67 to...
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
Monza is the classic high-speed track. The biggest challenges here are for the
aerodynamics and engine experts. The switch to V8 engines has increased the
proportion of each lap spent at full throttle from 67 to 76 percent. The top speed
during last year's race was 350 km/h, the highest of the year by quite a distance.
The cars aerodynamics are adapted to deliver low drag at this circuit in order to make the most of the long straights. The flipside is low downforce and, as a result, low cornering speeds. Like last year, we will, therefore, be lining up with an aero package specially developed for Monza.
In contrast to previous years, this time round the Italian GP does not mark the end of the European season. This year the final race in Europe will be in Spa, the week after Monza. Then we are off again for a run of three GPs overseas.
We are very much looking forward to Monza and have some great memories of last
year's race. We were really strong there in 2006. Nick qualified on the second row of the grid and Robert finished on the third step of the podium in what was only his third Formula One race. We will be looking to build on those good results this year.
Willy Rampf, Technical Director: Monza was our strongest race last season and we got our rewards with Robert's third place. The track in the city's Royal Park is the sole remaining high-speed circuit on the calendar. We develop a special low-downforce aerodynamics package specifically for this race extremely flat wings allow a top speed of around 350 km/h. The second important factor here is the cars' mechanical set-up, which combines good braking stability with a comparatively smooth ride over the kerbs. Our technical preparations for the race have gone very well and we are approaching Monza with high expectations.
Facts and figures: Circuit/Date Autodromo Nazionale di Monza/9th September 2007 Start time (local/UTC) 14.00 hrs/12.00 hrs Lap/Race distance 5.793 km/306.720 km (53 laps) Winner 2006 Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1 hr 14:51.975 min Pole position 2006 Kimi Räikkönen, Team McLaren Mercedes 1:21.484 min Fastest lap 2006 Kimi Räikkönen, Team McLaren Mercedes 1:22.559 min Current lap record Rubens Barrichello, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:21.046 min (2004) Data 2006 (race): Full-throttle percentage: 76% Top speed: 350 km/h Longest stretch at full throttle: 16 sec / 1,360 m Right-/Left-handers: 7/4 Gear changes per lap: 42 Tyre wear: medium Brake wear: high Downforce level: low
Willy Rampf, Technical Director: Monza was our strongest race last season and we got our rewards with Robert's third place. The track in the city's Royal Park is the sole remaining high-speed circuit on the calendar. We develop a special low-downforce aerodynamics package specifically for this race extremely flat wings allow a top speed of around 350 km/h. The second important factor here is the cars' mechanical set-up, which combines good braking stability with a comparatively smooth ride over the kerbs. Our technical preparations for the race have gone very well and we are approaching Monza with high expectations.
Facts and figures: Circuit/Date Autodromo Nazionale di Monza/9th September 2007 Start time (local/UTC) 14.00 hrs/12.00 hrs Lap/Race distance 5.793 km/306.720 km (53 laps) Winner 2006 Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1 hr 14:51.975 min Pole position 2006 Kimi Räikkönen, Team McLaren Mercedes 1:21.484 min Fastest lap 2006 Kimi Räikkönen, Team McLaren Mercedes 1:22.559 min Current lap record Rubens Barrichello, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:21.046 min (2004) Data 2006 (race): Full-throttle percentage: 76% Top speed: 350 km/h Longest stretch at full throttle: 16 sec / 1,360 m Right-/Left-handers: 7/4 Gear changes per lap: 42 Tyre wear: medium Brake wear: high Downforce level: low