The 2023 Formula 1 season continues at its peak, and this weekend, we move to one of the most important speedways of the calendar, the historic Monza Circuit, for the Italian GP.
This will be the 14th stop of this intense F1 calendar, and we are waiting to see what will happen, as Max Verstappen accumulates 9 consecutive victories and will be looking for the 10th in Monza. Meanwhile, several drivers and teams have made great progress throughout the season, which will surely not make it very easy for them.
The Italian GP of this 2023 season will take place this weekend, that is, from September 1-3. Moreover, as historically, the event will be held in its traditional format, i.e., 3 free practices, qualifying (Pole Position), and the race (Sunday).
Italian GP
Known as the “Temple of Speed,” Monza is a circuit that tests the mettle of both driver and machine, offering a unique blend of high-speed straights and challenging corners.
The Italian GP is undoubtedly the most important race on the calendar for Scuderia Ferrari. However, this season, the team is having many problems with performance and speed in fast and slow corners. However, being a circuit full of straights, they may have chances to cope with Verstappen’s absolute dominance this season.
On the other hand, it is also worth mentioning that at Monza, we have a “curse” regarding the winning driver. We mean that, since the 2019 season, the winning driver of the previous race has had an accident or has problems with his single-seater and cannot complete the race. Now, the 2022 Italian GP winner was Max Verstappen, so we will see if the Dutch monster will crush this trend.
The Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
The circuit, located in the royal park of Monza, north of Milan, has been a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since the sport’s inception in 1950. The 5.793-kilometer circuit is the fastest on the calendar, with cars reaching up to 360 km/h (198 mph) speeds.
The track’s layout, composed of long straights punctuated by tight chicanes and sharp turns, demands a low downforce configuration and a powerful engine. This combination often results in exciting racing and unpredictable outcomes.
Monza’s high speed also means that reliability will be a crucial factor, so we come to Ferrari’s weak point this season. Engine breakdowns and brake problems are not uncommon, and this unpredictability adds an extra layer of intrigue to the betting landscape. Teams like AlphaTauri and Aston Martin, which have reliable power units, could be candidates to finish in the points.
Possible strategy
In addition, the strategy will play a key role in the race’s outcome. Choosing between a one-stop or two-stop strategy could make the difference for each constructor. In addition, the teams will have to balance the need for speed with tire degradation, making the pit wall (another weak point for Ferrari) as important as the driver in the cockpit.
As for the weather, early forecasts point to a dry and sunny weekend. However, as we have seen, the weather at Monza can be unpredictable, and a sudden downpour could turn the race and the betting upside down.
Italian GP 2023- Formula 1 – Preview – Info – Betting Odds
When:
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Betting Odds:
Verstappen, Max -176
Leclerc, Charles +900
Perez, Sergio +940
Alonso, Fernando +1100
Sainz Jr, Carlos +1200
Hamilton, Lewis +1325
Norris, Lando +1375
Russell, George +1825
Albon, Alexander +2000
Piastri, Oscar +3000
Sargeant, Logan +6400
Stroll, Lance +11000
Ocón, Esteban +13000
Gasly, Pierre +13000
Bottas, Valtteri +36000
Tsunoda, Yuki +36000
Hulkenberg, Niko +48000
Magnussen, Kevin +50000
Zhou, Guanyu +50000
Lawson, Liam +50000
Where can I watch it?
This year, the battle for the top of the podium is expected to be between three spectacular teams: Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton, a five-time winner at Monza, will be eager to add another victory to his tally. However, the Red Bull demon Max Verstappen is the clear favorite to win due to his unquestionable dominance this season. The odds are heavily in Verstappen’s favor due to his aggressiveness and current form.
However, the fight for the podium is not limited to these two. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc have shown impressive pace and could spring a surprise. Norris, in particular, has been superb since the improvements to his car since the Austrian GP. Leclerc, meanwhile, will have the added motivation of performing well in front of the passionate Ferrari “Tifosi” and knows what it’s like to win at this track, having done so in 2019.
Similarly, we cannot rule out Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, two other great and experienced drivers ready to take a big hit in this race.
Betting Picks
There is no doubt that the first betting selection, which seems more than obvious, is a victory of Dutch Max Verstappen. However, the rest of the podium is complex to predict, as it will all come down to the car’s reliability, both in qualifying and in the GP.
We dare to predict that Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will occupy the second place on the podium. In contrast, the third place between Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton will be extremely disputed. Likewise, we will have to wait and see how they finish Saturday’s qualifying because, in Monza, starting at the front of the grid is fundamental for success.
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