This is what you need to know about the Italian Grand Prix

Who goes into the weekend as the favorite? Otherwise the question was answered quickly and without much risk: Mercedes and with it superstar Hamilton. The Brit has already celebrated a total of five victories there. But this year the advantage of the supposedly more powerful engine in the Silver Arrow is gone. The Red Bull has proven to be fast on all routes so far and at least equal to Mercedes, if not even better.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are also the focus this weekend. © ANSA / KOEN VAN WEEL

Red Bull's team boss Christian Horner gives Mercedes the role of favorite. But it could also just be a tactic. “Mercedes has a top speed advantage over us,” Verstappen also mused. In Zandvoort they did not bring all the pieces of the puzzle together, emphasized Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. In short: There is no real favorite for the race, Mercedes has already made too many minor mistakes, the Silver Arrow is simply not as superior as it used to be and Verstappen and Red Bull are simply in too good a mood for that. Especially after the two victories in Belgium and the Netherlands.

What changes are there as a result of the sprint race? Some. Instead of training twice for an hour on Fridays, the drivers are only allowed out once for 60 minutes; qualifying follows later according to the usual procedure of knockout in three time stages. On Saturday there will be another free practice session before the sprint race. The winner gets three points, the second two, and one point for third place. The order at the finish corresponds to the starting grid for the race on Sunday. A pilot can collect a total of 29 points on the weekend (victory in the main race/25, plus fastest lap/1 and victory in the sprint/3) instead of the usual maximum of 26.

What is most important on the course? Firstly, the maximum speed. For much of the route, the drivers race across the asphalt in eighth gear. It only shifts around 38 times – over almost 5,8 kilometers. In comparison: On the winding, narrow street circuit in Monaco – two and a half kilometers shorter – the drivers change gears around 50 times. In addition to brute power, perfectly functioning brakes and good timing in qualifying when trying to do one fast lap are important in Monza. According to Mercedes surveys, the difference between a lap without and with a slipstream was 0,7 seconds a year ago - Formula 1 Worlds.

Are spectators allowed? The podium in Monza is legendary, the crowds flock to the start and finish straight. But many things are different in Corona times. Nevertheless, the organizers have achieved 50 percent capacity and 60 fans are expected per day.

Is there a threat of the next trouble in the Haas duel? Better not. Actions like Nikita Mazepin's recent one in Zandvoort would be even more dangerous on this route at these speeds. Whether team boss Günther Steiner can tame the Russian in the team duel with Mick Schumacher remains to be seen in Monza. It is obvious that this is not an easy task for him. Mazepin's father is the team's main financial backer, but Mick Schumacher's famous name brings worldwide attention. A tightrope act like wheel-to-wheel maneuvers with over 300 things in Monza.

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This is what you need to know about the Italian Grand Prix

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