Italian GP: With 5 races to go, Brawn GP remains the leader

The more races pass, the more criticism suggests that the situation for Brawn GP by the end of the season will be difficult. However, with five races remaining in the season, the driver and constructor championships are largely in favor of Brawn GP and Jenson Button, the driver for the Brackley team. The Englishman has almost a two-race lead over his runner-up, who is none other than his teammate, Rubens Barrichello. The team itself is more than one race ahead of Red Bull.

The situation is therefore far from alarming, especially since Monza could prove to be a favorable track for Brawn GP. The weather will be nice, temperatures will be pleasant, and the type of circuit will favor the BGP001. Confidence is therefore high for this race weekend in Italy.

Jenson Button – Racing Driver

Monza is a fantastic circuit and I love the passion that Italian fans bring to the race. The track is very different from most layouts throughout the year. The car will need a special setup for low downforce which will be beneficial for the long straights. It always takes a few laps to get used to this track and since we haven’t tested at Monza this season, the practice sessions will be very important. Ascari is probably my favorite part of this track but also Parabolica where the challenge is to brake as late as possible, especially during qualifying when you are on a fast lap. It’s a circuit that should be reasonably good for our car. We feel positive and excited to take on this new challenge.

Rubens Barrichello – Race Car Driver

There’s something very special about Monza, and I’ve always loved racing here throughout my career. The presence in the park, the noise of the tifosi, the speed of the circuit, and the memories of my victories with Ferrari in 2002 and 2004 make this race the most exciting of the year. It’s the fastest circuit on the calendar, and our car has the potential to perform well. The power of our Mercedes-Benz engine will be really important to maximize speed on the long straights. Additionally, our car is quite good at braking, so you need to be aggressive and drive over the curbs effectively. It has been a season full of surprises, so it’s impossible to predict what will happen this weekend, but I hope the outcome will be favorable.

Ross Brawn – Team Principal:

Visiting Monza during the Italian Grand Prix is a very special experience that motorsport fans should not miss. It’s one of those classic places where the stands are always packed, and the atmosphere is electric throughout the weekend. From a technical standpoint, Monza should be a track where our car should react well, even though we believe that cars with KERS will have a significant advantage. The BGP001 has good brakes, which is important at Monza, and we additionally benefit from having Mercedes-Benz engines. With no in-season testing, we haven’t had the opportunity to test on this track before the race weekend, so it will be interesting to see how everyone can quickly adapt to the exceptional configuration: a low level of downforce. The aerodynamic efficiency of the car is essential, and we need to have a specific package to achieve the high speeds required.