Zoom Wurz describes a lap around Monza

The Formula One circus heads for Monza's Royal Park this week to take on the Italian Grand Prix, this season's 14th round. With speeds reaching up to 350km/h, the set-up requirements are quite unique to this circuit and most teams will be running a one-time-only package.

The Honda team explains the technical demands of the venue, along with a lap description provided by reserve driver Alex Wurz.

The technical challenge:
The emphasis at Monza is on engine power and aerodynamic efficiency. As a result, the team will run a special low downforce aero package, which produces 30 percent less grip than the high downforce generated at the slowest circuits on the calendar.

From a set-up point of view, the most demanding aspects of the lap are slowing the cars from high speed and getting the power down at the exit of the corners. The introduction of the standard Electronic Control Unit this year has had a big impact in both areas of performance, so a good car balance is vital in low downforce trim in order to be quick.

The cars also run higher ride heights at Monza to allow the drivers to use the kerbs at all three chicanes.

There are two key corners on the lap: Lesmo 2 and Parabolica. Both are followed by long straights and the drivers need to get the power down before the apex of each turn to ensure a clean exit.

Full throttle: 75%

Brake wear: Medium

Downforce level: Low - 1/10

Tyre compounds: Medium / Hard

Tyre usage: Low

Average speed: 250kph (155mph)

Lap of the track with Alex Wurz:
"There is something very special about Monza. The setting, the noise of the Tifosi, the old banking crumbling in the background, the name - I like it all! It's the only super-fast track on the calendar and everything happens very quickly for the drivers. It takes a few laps to get used to it, even if you've been racing all year."

"In terms of driving style, Monza is an incredibly interesting mixture. On the one hand you have to be very harsh with your car by being super-aggressive over the kerbs, but you also have to treat it with respect by being very careful with the throttle because of the low downforce."

"Turn 1 is all about braking. You don't want to out-brake yourself, which can easily happen because the approach is so fast - 340kph (211mph) - and you then have to use the kerbs a lot. You must make sure that you make a clean exit because the long straight around Curva Grande follows before you're back on the brakes from high speed for the second chicane. The braking area is bumpy and you then have to jump over the kerbs very aggressively, which is fun."