Ferrari Return to Monza in Triumph

Two drivers will make their Formula One debuts at Monza this weekend but they might as well be invisible as far as most of the local fans are concerned.

Sunday's Italian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a Ferrari festival, a triumphant homecoming and the fans' last chance to see Michael Schumacher and the team in action in the final European race of the year. Alex Yoong will become Malaysia's first Formula One driver with Minardi while Tomas Enge claims a first for the Czech Republic as a replacement for Prost's recovering Brazilian Luciano Burti.

But both are likely to be mere back-markers while Schumacher and Ferrari will be the star attractions, having delivered all and more that their legions of 'tifosi' demanded. The German has won eight of 14 races so far this season, been first or second in 18 of the last 20 races and secured his fourth title in Hungary last month.

He and Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello have also helped Ferrari secure their third successive Constructors' crown and a repeat of Ferrari's one-two finish at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix would be the icing on the cake. Some 60,000 grandstand seats have been sold and 150,000 spectators are expected over the race weekend.

Second Place

Schumacher's victory in the last race in Belgium gave him a record-breaking 52nd victory and he is now turning his thoughts to helping Barrichello overtake McLaren's David Coulthard and finish as runner-up overall. Coulthard is nine points clear of the Ferrari driver with three races remaining.

"It is still possible, although he (Barrichello) must absolutely try to win and I to keep David (Coulthard) behind me. That is the only way," said Schumacher last week.

Williams, rather than McLaren, can expect to provide Ferrari's biggest threat after putting behind them the disappointment of Spa. The BMW-powered team took pole positions at both Hockenheim and Spa, comparably fast tracks, and Ralf Schumacher recorded the fastest lap there in testing in July.

Ralf had the new FW23/08 chassis in Belgium but, after qualifying on the front row, saw his chances evaporate after the team got its timing wrong and left his car on jacks before a formation lap.

"With a little more luck than in Spa we should look fairly good in Italy, especially as Monza is a similar track to Hockenheim," said Ralf. Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, who was on pole at Spa but who has not raced at Monza before, also gets the new chassis for the first time this weekend.

Resurgent Benetton

Further down the ranks there is still much to be fought for, with a revived Benetton hoping to build on Giancarlo Fisichella's third place at Spa and close in on Honda-powered BAR and Jordan ahead of them.

"The whole team is looking forward to the final three races of the season after our strong performances in the last few rounds," said technical director Mike Gascoyne. "The new aerodynamic package should help us substantially here."

Renault-owned Benetton also have new aerodynamic parts and an improved engine for Saturday's qualifying. France's Jean Alesi, three times a runner-up and twice pole-setter at Monza while with Ferrari and Benetton, will be looking to impress Eddie Jordan further in the hope of retaining his place for 2002.

Last year's race at Monza was full of drama and tinged by tragedy when a fire marshal was killed by flying debris following a six-car collision. The catch fencing has been raised and improved run-off created at the exit to the Parabolica curve.