06.09.11

Luciano Burti's column

The F1 world championship followers know that Ferrari is one of the main F-1 teams, right? That was my vision of the team based in Maranello. However, when I was contracted as Ferrari's test driver (between 2002 and 2004), I noticed that this was not only a race team, but a huge myth. Truly, literally, it is almost a religion to the Italian team supporters.

In addition, the next race of the Championship, the Gran Premio Santander d’Italia, will be a weekend full of emotion, on and off the race track. Ferrari's fans, known as “Tifosi”, will be there in mass. And those who know this Grand Prix understand how valuable is Ferrari for the italians, something like the Brazilian soccer team in our country.

The Monza race track, located inside a park north of Milan, was constructed in 1922 and its high average speed is its main characteristic. Since then it went through several changes to reduce the speed aiming mainly to improve its safety, such as for example, construction of chicanes at the end of the pit straight race track and the Ascari Variant in 1972. Even so, Monza is still the fastest race track of F-1 calendar. As a matter of fact, the cars exceed the maximum speed of 350 Km/h at the end of the straight, providing amazing disputes for overtaking in each braking.

We should remember that the Italian Grand Prix is very important for the Brazilian drivers. Felipe Massa will receive full support from the fans as he will be racing “at home”. Rubens Barrichello, winner so far of this Grand Prix in 2003 and 2009, is very cherished by the “Tifosi” due to his years as Ferrari driver. And, Bruno Senna, confirmed by Renault till the end of the season, will run his second race with this team, aiming at consolidating him in F-1.

Good luck to our drivers!

- Luciano Burti