Following an absolutely chaotic race weekend in Zandvoort, we are headed to Italy for Round 15 of the 2023 Formula 1 Championship. More specifically, we are headed to Monza, also known as the “Temple of Speed”.
Loved by drivers and teams alike, Monza poses a unique challenge to any driver that attempts to conquer this track, even more so if that driver is inexperienced. With this in mind, it is clear why AlphaTauri’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson, will have his work cut out for him. If you’ve only just heard about this newcomer, let us remind you that Lawson is currently filling in for Danny Ric who broke his wrist at Zandvoort in Practice 2 in his attempt to avoid crashing into Oscar Piastri.
With a new name going around the paddock, new upgrades set and ready to go and a good chance of another Verstappen record being set, it would seem as if this weekend in Formula 1 couldn’t possibly get any more exciting. Will someone finally challenge Max and save Vettel’s record? And will the paddock’s rookie show what he’s made of at the Temple of Speed? UK bookmaker William Hill has the latest odds!
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 30th, 3:00 A.M. (EST)
All things considered, this week’s odds are mostly expected. With Verstappen’s dominant performance in Zandvoort, a new record and all round masterful drive, the odds on this young man have reached an all-time low with a price of only 1.22 for a potential win in Monza. Following a controversial decision to box Verstappen ahead of Perez in Zandvoort (even though Perez was leading at the time) squashed any doubt about who is Red Bull’s 1st driver and set the standard for any future Red Bull strategies.
On a more exciting note, this week’s odds on Williams have improved significantly with Alex Albon being priced at only 101.00 despite driving a Williams. This could well be due to the fact that Williams’ challenger proved to be one of the fastest F1 cars in a straight-line. Weekend in and weekend out, they have dominated the speed-traps and have set the bar high with top speeds reaching a mind blowing 350 km/h. Monza, being a fast track as it is, driven under full throttle could give Williams a good chance of scoring good points and showing why they belong in Formula 1.
The Circuit
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza, located in Monza, Italy, is an iconic racetrack renowned for its high-speed straights and historic significance in motorsports. Originally built in 1922, the circuit stands as one of the oldest and fastest tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. Its iconic layout, characterized by long straights and challenging chicanes, demands a balance of power, aerodynamics and precise driving. The passionate Italian fans, the Tifosi, known for their fervent support of Ferrari and racing in general, create an electric atmosphere during races, particularly the Italian Grand Prix. The Monza Circuit’s rich history, intense racing, and exceptional speeds make it a revered destination for both drivers and enthusiasts in the world of motorsport.
The track itself is a 5.973 km long circuit featuring 53 laps, 11 corners and 2 DRS zones making this one of the most exciting tracks to watch drivers race on. The current lap record was set all the way back in 2004 by Rubens Barrichello with a time of 1:21:046.
What to Expect?
Going into the race weekend in Monza, two things stand out as the most important topics to consider ahead of Sunday’s race. First, let us start by mentioning how dominant and fast Max Verstappen has been throughout the 2023 season. There is no doubt whatsoever that he will continue delivering masterful drives for his team and himself. That said, Max has a unique chance this weekend to surpass Vettel’s record of 9 consecutive race wins and etch his name in the history books as the world’s most dominant driver to ever grace Formula 1. A feat neither Schumacher nor Hamilton achieved despite winning 7 championships each. Should Max achieve this, he will silence all critics and prove why he deserves to be a world champion in Formula 1.
Another driver to pay close attention to is Liam Lawson. AlphaTauri confirmed earlier this week that Lawson will continue driving for them until Danny Ric is fit and ready to hop into his F1 seat once more. Lawson’s career, full of controversy and unwanted attention could be revived once more being given such a unique chance of proving himself at the highest level in Formula 1. Should the rookie perform well, not to mention score points for the struggling AlphaTauri team, then there is no doubt in our minds that teams will fight over Lawson’s signature in hopes of signing a reliable and young driver such as himself. Let us hope Lawson’s career in Formula 1 has only just begun.
