Overhaul of Monza track divides F1 drivers · RaceFans

While some drivers were dismayed by the changes made to Monza for this year’s Italian Grand Prix, others were more sanguine about the state of Formula 1’s oldest track.

The circuit operators have fully resurfaced the 5.7-kilometre course for this weekend’s race. Many of the kerbs have also been altered, leading drivers to change their approach to the corners.

Daniel Ricciardo, who won the 2021 race at the track, was among those who was largely unimpressed by what he found, particularly the fluctuating grip offered by the new asphalt.

“Some circuits you obviously just enjoy more than others, this is one,” said the RB driver. “But, in saying that, it was a little bit different as well, Monza.

“The asphalt, we saw a couple of big crashes and the grip is a little bit hard to find. It’s a little bit peaky. So it’s kind of there but then it can catch you off-guard. So I’m glad those boys are okay.

“But it’s one of those ones, it’s challenging but fun. Some of the chicanes, I don’t love the new kerbs and all that, but anyway it’s still a good day and good to be back out on this track.”

Kevin Magnussen, who crashed at the Roggia chicane, also described the track surface as “peaky”. So did Carlos Sainz Jnr, who skidded off at Alboreto (formerly Parabolica) in much the same way Andrea Kimi Antonelli did when he crashed, albeit without hitting anything.

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The 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner Pierre Gasly had a mixed impression of the latest changes.

“I know it’s been a big topic, on my side I don’t think it’s worth arguing,” he said. “Obviously some people prefer the old kerbs and I think in some areas potentially it was a bit better before and some other corners better with the new one. So we’ve just got to get used to it.

“I think obviously technically and driving-wise it doesn’t change massively. It’s still very similar lines. Just the Tarmac, we’ve got to have a look at the degradation for Sunday because I think that will be the biggest change compared to before.”

Others, such as Nico Hulkenberg, were unmoved by the changes. “It’s still the Monza that we know despite the new asphalt and the new kerbs,” he said.

“Of course the kerbs, it’s a little bit different in detail here and there, but I think the old DNA is still there and coming through.”