Nico Rosberg looks to strike back in the title fight, while Sebastian Vettel eyes a special result on his maiden Monza outing as a Ferrari driver.
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton’s dominant victory at the Belgian Grand Prix last time out saw the reigning champion open up a 28-point cushion and perhaps place one hand the 2015 crown. Even if the British driver fails to finish Sunday’s race and team-mate Nico Rosberg wins, he will remain at the top of the standings. Nevertheless, it is crucial that Rosberg bounces back this weekend before his title rival becomes a mere speck in the distance.
The German driver saw victory here last season slip from grasp as he wilted under pressure from his charging team-mate. Twice he went deep into the first chicane and was forced to slalom through the traffic cones, surrendering his lead on the second occasion. Should he be handed a similar opportunity this weekend, he simply cannot afford to let it slip as hopes of a maiden title begin to fade.
It does, however, appear at this stage that Nico won’t be able to defeat the red-hot Lewis on pace alone. Hamilton has reigned supreme on a Saturday – where Rosberg was so strong last year – and been largely untroubled on race day. It would take a super-human effort to knock Hamilton from his qualifying pedestal, but the long-run towards Turn one in Sunday’s race could prove Rosberg’s best opportunity.
Rosberg has vowed to improve his qualifying and race starts this weekend, and it’s time for him to deliver on his promises.
I know I have the car underneath me to get pole and the win every time with this incredible machine the team have built, so nothing less will do.
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
A last-lap tyre failure at Spa saw Vettel hobble home in 12th, quashing any talk of a title challenge as he slipped 67 points off the pace. After tasting success in Malaysia and Hungary, his focus will now surely be on recording a third victory for Ferrari rather than attempting to overcome the mighty Mercedes. And where better to make it a hat-trick than at Monza?
The thousands of adoring Ferrari fans – known as the Tifosi – who flock to Monza will have been reinvigorated by the Scuderia’s 2015 resurgence and will become Vettel’s most loyal supporters after booing him on the podium just two years ago. It will surely be the 3-time Monza winner who leads their charge, bolstered by an improved engine on a circuit where outright horse power is paramount.
However unlikely, a fourth victory at the iconic circuit for the German driver in scarlet red would perhaps be the most memorable of his career as he continues his quest to emulate idol Michael Schumacher. Should Mercedes slip-up as they have done at times this year, you’d have to imagine it’ll be Vettel who is there to pounce.
I’ve got a whole load of great memories and feelings linked to Monza and I always like coming here. And being here with Ferrari makes it even more special.
Valtteri Bottas, Williams
The persistent speculation linking Valtteri Bottas with a move to Ferrari distracted attention from a series of frustrating results for him and his Williams team. Yet with such speculation now having been put to bed, Bottas’ focus will now be on returning to the podium after just a single rostrum so far in 2015. The Grove outfit’s anticipated upturn in pace failed to materialise at Spa, yet their Mercedes power unit will stand them in good stead heading to the fastest circuit on the calendar.
Williams may find podium opportunities limited after Monza, particularly with high-downforce circuits – where they have recently struggled – like Singapore and Sochi on the horizon. Bottas may well be the man who earns them a top-three finish, his mind now free of the rumours which ruffled his feathers earlier on in the season and his future secure. Whilst he will have to bring his A-game to Monza to hold off team-mate Felipe Massa, it has looked in the past that the Finn is marginally quicker on his day.
It’s difficult to imagine Bottas challenging Mercedes this weekend, but the battle behind the silver cars was tighter than ever at Spa and the 26-year old may be the one to capitalise should things continue in a similar vein.
We are aiming for a strong weekend here. We have learnt from our mistakes and will bounce back even stronger!
Romain Grosjean, Lotus
After a 21-month drought, Romain Grosjean made a stunning – if a little fortunate – return to the podium at Spa. It was by far Lotus’ strongest showing of the season and one that they will be eager to replicate on a circuit which should also suit their E23.
The team’s trucks only arrived at the circuit on Wednesday as they continue grapple off-track issues, so preparations for the weekend have been far from ideal. Prospective buyers Renault look to be their long-term saviour, but it may well be Grosjean in the short-term after he reminded us of his superb talent a fortnight ago. The Frenchman will be eyeing another podium, or at least a top-five finish, at Monza and is certainly one to watch this weekend.
Erratic team-mate Pastor Maldonado could also be up there but may struggle to match Grosjean – who oozed confidence as he hunted down Sebastian Vettel in the closing laps at Spa. Perhaps we’re seeing the old Romain starting to re-emerge, and we know quick he can be.
On paper, Monza should suit our car better than Spa so in theory a podium could be possible again!
Nico Hulkenberg, Force India
From a neutral perspective, it was hugely disappointing to see Nico Hulkenberg hit technical trouble as he sat on the starting grid at Spa. P12 represented a disappointing grid slot for the highly-rated German, but Sergio Perez’s eventual finish of fifth in the sister car suggests big points were still up for grabs.
Fresh from confirmation that he will remain with the Silverstone squad, the Hulk will be looking to claim a few scalps this weekend on a circuit where Force India once again expect to be strong. It is indeed a venue where he has shone in the past, having qualified a magnificent third in his under-performing Sauber in 2013 before going on to finish fifth.
Spa was a missed opportunity, so expect Hulkenberg to be right amongst it in the fierce battle behind the Mercedes.
The layout of the track should allow us to be competitive and it’s an opportunity for us to score important points. I had a very exciting race there in 2013 and I wouldn’t mind a repeat performance.
Who will you be keeping an eye on next weekend? Let me know in the comments…
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