Formula One heads to the Temple of Speed this weekend, also known as the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy for the Italian Grand Prix. As the last of the true low-downforce circuits on the Formula One calendar, this gives the cars a true test of engine power and reliability, as oppose to a test of balance through high-speed corners. With the powerful Mercedes powertrain, in theory McLaren should do well here.
Following a strong showing which didn’t yield as many points as it should have done, McLaren will be looking to amend that here. The team’s last victory came from pole position in 2012; a dominant Lewis Hamilton took a classy win in a McLaren that was the quickest machine on the day, and didn’t break down on him. The team were on for a 1-2 but Jenson Button retired from second place.
McLaren Italian Grand Prix Preview:
No. 20 Kevin Magnussen (DEN) – 11th
Form: 7/7/9/12/12
Having been denied a good points haul at Spa, Magnussen has now finished behind his team mate in each of the last four rounds. Monza is a track where he has never won on, but finished on the podium twice, last year in Formula Renault 3.5. With big names linked to McLaren for 2015, some are beginning to believe that Magnussen is also under pressure to retain his seat, arguably a touch harsh on a rookie.
No. 22 Jenson Button (GBR) – 8th
Form: 11/4/8/10/6
2013: Grid: P9, Race: P10
Button had a pretty decent result here last year, finishing on the outskirts of the points in the woeful McLaren. He has never won here or had a pole position, but he has had four podiums, three of them consecutive second places. Like Magnussen, he too is driving for his career, as Sebastian Vettel is just one of the drivers linked to a seat at the team next season. There are some forecasts predicting rain for Sunday, which may well help Button.
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