Taffin: Monza is comparable to ovals in the USA

Rémi Taffin, track operations manager at Renault Sport F1, explains that the Italian event of the world championship Formula 1 is one of the most complicated of the season to tackle as an engine manufacturer. On a circuit where the top speed exceeds 300 km/h four times per lap, the engine blocks will be put to the test for the 13th event of the season.

« Monza is comparable to what is done on ovals in the United States, with an average speed exceeding 250 km/h, explains Taffin. The RS27 will be used with the pedal to the metal for almost 20 seconds in two portions of the circuit. To put this into perspective, a light aircraft can take off in this interval... Only the support obtained thanks to the ailerons prevents the F1 cars from taking off, generating strong stress on the cars and the drivers. The engines are really put to the test, being at full throttle for 75% of a lap. Therefore we generally use new V8s for this race, even if we have already fitted new engines at Spa-Francorchamps. Although top speed and pure power are the main objectives, we work to judiciously calibrate the gearbox to obtain acceleration leading to a good top speed. For this we retain the longest reports. »

Contrary to what one might think, Monza is one of the tracks where fuel consumption is the lowest of the season. “ Even if the engine is used at full throttle, the quantity of fuel on board at the start is the second lowest of the season. Only in Monaco do we carry less fuel, but this is rather conditioned by the short distance of this Grand Prix. Surprisingly to some, Monza is the most fuel-efficient circuit of the year, as the engine is used at a constant revs and the car adopts a very efficient aerodynamic configuration. The comparison is the same as highway consumption versus city consumption for a passenger car. Consumption is lower when you drive at a constant speed, even if you go faster, compared to a journey where you stop and start, moving up and down gears. »