Belgian GP tech attack
Keep up-to-date with all the latest technical developments in F1 with the sport's leading graphical analyst Giorgio Piola. His illustrations are second-to-none, direct from the pit lane, and outline just who is doing what to find the all-important advantage in the world's fastest-moving sport
After Jarno Trulli's accident at Silverstone, Renault revised the specification of its unique one-piece rear wishbone system. It retains the one-piece concept, but the material has been changed from carbon fibre to titanium since Hockenheim. This gives a small weight increase and a rigidity decrease, but neither was judged to be a significant safety issue.
The triangular fin ahead of the rear tyre has been removed. This was a pre-planned tweak for fast circuits. Hence the car will appear in this new form at Monza, but the fin is expected to reappear at Suzuka, where the downforce/drag compromise swings back towards the former.
Williams tried new rear bodywork at Spa. The side flip-up (1) was much longer with a pronounced banana profile, rather like Renault's. There was a steeper curve to the profile (2) and the chimney/winglet combination (3) was different, with the chimney now partly overlapping the winglet.
A variation of the team's Canada wing was brought to Spa, although it was slightly different in that the profile of the lower section, which is usually twisted, was straight. The flap at the outside of the endplate is gently cut at the corners. For qualifying and the race at Spa the team reverted to the twisted lower profile.
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
Why Italian GP success is on for McLaren even if Verstappen dominates
For the second time in 2021, McLaren will line up for the start of a grand prix from the first row. It knows it has the chance of “glory” if things go well for Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris at the start of the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but even if they just maintain their grid positions, signs from the rest of the Monza weekend suggest success is very possible for Formula 1’s other orange army
