Formula One: McLaren, Ferrari set for showdown at 'Tifosi Central'
10 September 1999
INDIANAPOLIS--Ferrari drivers Eddie Irvine and Mika Salo have the home-field advantage in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. But the West McLaren-Mercedes-duo of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen has the momentum.And that's setting everything up for a competitive race at this historic venue.
This is the 13th stop of 16 on the Formula One World Championship tour. Rounds 11 and 12 belonged to Hakkinen and Coulthard, who finished one-two in both events. That allowed McLaren-Mercedes to regain the lead in the Constructors Championship and Hakkinen to head Irvine by one point in the Drivers Championship.
Despite McLaren's domination in the past two races, Coulthard, who won in Belgium, predicts it's not going to be easy at Monza.
"It's going to be close between a number of teams because of the nature of the circuit," Coulthard said. "It's not that technical in terms of the setup. Once you've got your wings trimmed to give you a good aerodynamic balance, it's just a case of point and hold on."
Irvine agreed that the track will suit the Ferraris: "The nature of the Monza circuit, with its three chicane complexes, will suit our car far better than the Spa track, so I'm optimistic about putting up a good fight. "Last year I came second to my teammate (Michael Schumacher), which was a memorable event in front of the home crowd," Irvine said. "This year, if I'm to maintain my challenge for the championship, I need to go one better. "It's possible, but it will be very tough as our main rivals will be very competitive."
If Sunday's race crowd, expected to be larger than 100,000, has its way, Ferrari will win.
Monza is all about the "tifosi" -- the fanatical faithful that hang from every tree and fence and billboard to cheer for their beloved Ferraris. This year, however, they will not be able to cheer for Schumacher who, in last year's edition of the race, gave Ferrari its first win in the Italian Grand Prix since 1988. Schumacher is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered when he crashed in the British Grand Prix in July. This is Ferrari country.
True, the Imola circuit (home of the San Marino Grand Prix) is closer to Ferrari's base in Maranello, Italy, but Monza is the spiritual home not only of Ferrari but of motorsport in Italy.
The famed Italian circuit -- the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza -- was built in 1921 and, like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which staged the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, Monza is one of the oldest racetracks still in existence. It's set in a walled, wooded park just north of Milan where, once upon a time, Italian royalty used to hunt. Today it's a huge public park. If you build it, they will come. And they did. Every notable F1 driver has raced at Monza ... celebrated heroes like Archille Varzi, Tazio Nuvolari, Antonio and Alberto Ascari, Rudolf Caracciola, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Jacques Villeneuve, Hakkinen and Schumacher.
The best drivers from the Indy ranks came to Monza as well. The track was the site of the "War of the Worlds" in 1957 and 1958 when Indianapolis 500 stars like Jimmy Bryan and Troy Ruttman raced against the F1 drivers on the banked-oval portion of the Monza circuit.
This year Monza plays host to the War of the Championship. Sunday's race will decide if the impassioned backing of 100,000 tifosi and Ferrari's home-field advantage can overcome McLaren's momentum. Or will another driver and team add their names to Monza's list of illustrious winners?
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