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wow! i'm so looking forward to this race!

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Same for the "outside UK" version of this video :(

Can't wait for this race, hoping for the ex Jordan man to do to it, go on Giancarlo....

Love Monza every year. I guess the result as

1.Barrichello
2.Vettel
3.Button
4.Hamilton
5.Webber
6.Fishicella
7.Raikkonen
8.Rosberg

Clear your throat Murray

I think Barrichello will do well at Monza but button needs a race win either this race or the next because sooner or later his rivals will catch up and start getting good some of points. The kers cars should do well here

monza, a great track,with fantastic tradition,and always produces exciting races. my prediction for the top eight is
1.vettel
2.raikkonen
3.rosberg
4.fisichella
5.hamilton
6.button
7.barrichelo
8.kovalainen
sorry all you webber fans, but i think hes lost a bit of his early season form,so no points for him this weekend.

I have a feeling its going to be a KERS car for the win.... the obvious dream would be for Fisi, but I don't see that being that likely. So my money is on either Kimi or Lewis for the win. Hopefully Jenson will have his race head back on and grab a podium battling with any of his three rivals for 2nd and 3rd.

I just wonder who is going to be crying....

Video doesn't work.

Did that take one take? Monza is just unpredictable. No-one has a general answer/prediction. None are the same. If Brawn manage to not get caught by KERS if they're fast it's Brawn for the win. I just have no idea

@10 LOL, we know you are right but its still fun having a go :) Although I am sure that someone will be crying by the end of the weekend!

Just remembered Renault are also running KERS at Monza, this might give Alonso a chance as well....

This will be the toughest race of the year for Williams, their car has a lot of drag and it will hurt them at Monza. I think a Ferrari will win and i think Fisichella will surprise a lot of people.

I think Fisi will disappoint a lot of people, my feelings are that there is an awful lot of expectations put on his shoulders after his superb drive at Spa and the only way he can match those expectations to climb a step higher on the podium and I think that is unlikely.

Personally I think a points finish for him would be great and if he can get a sniff at or on the podium then he will have done remarkably well. Regardless I hope he has a fantastic drive and gets to show some of the promise he had at the start of his career, I have always felt he was one of the drivers who could have been up there reliably with a decent car under him (and no his time at Renault doesn't really count as he was number 2 at a team that is notorious for only having 1 good car).

Video still doesn't work..

Can someone fix it?

Picture the scene...
Murray at his favorite watering hole, bridge in the background, with a fine glass of red (Ribera del Duero if he knows his wines!) talking about who will win the Italian grand prix...the video doesn't work, but trust me - Murray is having the time of his life..
Predictions? well it has to be Barichello or bust. He has got to NAIL it here- and history has proved he's great on this track.
Will he though? nah!
So who? well, if it's silverstonish =Vettel/Webber - and I reckon whoever comes out on top of this one, team orders will finally sway towards the leading driver..
If it's Spa(n)ish - KERS involved, then (and please, don't choke on your cereal) then Raikkonen/Hamilton and (stop laughing) Alonso if his tractor has the magic button.
So - if Fizzy in a Force can make a car that was going nowhere all season suddenly has the temerity to finish second in Spa, then (yes - but in Formula 1 anything can happen - and it usually does...ask Murray)I predict
ALONSO FOR THE WIN!

Monza is traditionally the place where teams confirm who drives who drive with who for next season,
So - finally, Alonso gets the nod from Ferrari.
Raikkonen back with Maclaren.

Barrichello, (if he truly believes in his destiny), a win in Monza

ps. a lot has been said about Red Bull and their chances etc...the bottom line is both B and B at B are still sitting pretty in 1st and 2nd - it'll take something extraordinary to change the advantage Brawn has gained in the first half of the season..

Coorect Carlonso

Santander confirm sponsorship of ferrari!! Same as they did with Maclaren before alonso joined them.

Definately the worst kept secret!!

The video above does not work.

Please get it fixed

Hamilton will win :D

Greetings Ter Murray Walker & ALL F1 Fans..........

Bingo Ster ere...... aka failed comedian, failed musician, failed racing driver & demented truck driver....... but noot too demented az ave gotta clean driving licence.... well when a say clean.... a accidentally left it in the pocket of me coat thatta took ter the laundrette.......

So this iz the BIG one.... weekend am talkin'!!!!!!!

It's the Italian GP and Fisichella's AWESOME debut for Ferrari..... still can't believe it meself!!!!!
A get such a great feeling Fisi iz gonna win or get on the podium!!!! But really only a win will do!!!
And if 'e does win..... 'e will become abit of a national 'ero in Italy az the italians go mental for F1 & in particular the Ferrari F1 Team so if an italian wins the italian GP in their much loved italian Ferrari..... it's gonna be mental for Fisi!!!!!!!!!!@!!@!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!@!@@!@!
A just 'ope 'e can get used ter the car fast. Az 'e under the rules 'e can't test so literally this iz Fridee's practice iz gonna be the first time 'e gets ter drive the car.
And although similar ter the ForceIndia car that 'e been driving all season.... the Ferrari will feel a lot different and particulalry the KERS system which Fisi 'as never used!!!!!!
A just 'ope all goes well and the weekend doesn't become a learning exercise or Fisi end up crashing out!!!!
Am sure though az 'e exits the long sweeping right 'ander aka the Curva Parabolica at 105mph and drives down that VERY long, long, long, long, long, long, long............. long pit straight accelerating/ building speed maxing up to 210 terrrrrr 215mph.... 'e will 'ave a very long, long time ter glance at the thousands of red Ferrari flags waving in the crowd.... and this alone will make 'im think about just what it will be like if 'e does win!!!!!
In fact I think it will make 'im try just abit 'arder than normal & 'e might just think az 'e gets ter the end of the long pit straight, one of the longest straights in F1 nowadees if noot there longest, (might ave guest that from all the longs above) just 'ow late can 'e slam on the brakes inter the 45 terrrr 50mph chicane.... aka the chicane that's small on speed but also goot one of the longest names of any damn corner in F1 aka the Variante Del Rettifilio Chicane..... the later 'e can brake the more time 'e will gain.... unless 'e brakes too late and messes up the chicane!!!!!!!
Na, a getta good feeling ere this iz the BIG one!!!!!!!!!! Positive thinking!!!!!! The Beguim GP I predicted ter be 'THEE' race for Fisi but this iz 'THE BIG ONE!!!!!!!!'

Also it'll be interesting ter see 'ow Fisi's replacement at ForceIndia gets on aka Tonio Liuzzi... I don't rate 'im meself as that talented, still MEGA talented ter be in F1 but noot nearly az fast az Fisi!!!!!!!
Plus yer 'eard it ere first..... I wreckon although Fisi iz gonna be Ferrari's #1 test driver next year..... I think without a doubt Vijay Mallya will 'ave Fisi back az 'is #1 driver at ForceIndia...... yer 'eard it ere first F1 dudes!!!!!!!!!!

'ope all ave an AWESOME weekend.... a know a will with the F1 gig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!!@!!!@!!!!!!!!

GOURANGA TER ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!@!!@!@!@!!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!

With hind sight, these so called pundits are not any good at predicting than the average fan. Redbull and ferrari dominating? More like force india, maclaren and brawn.

Couldn't help but watch this and be reminded of the advert he did with Damon Hill!

How long will it be before someone says "Lewis crashed to help Mercedes buy into Brawn?"

And can someone seriously tell me why F1 insists on obliterating its status by consistantly dragging up conflict in the media, as though it actually helps anything?

While I am at it, when Lewis crashed, and in fact, when anything occurs such as an overtake, the TV coverage insists on going to some people in the pit garage. why? does someone out there really want to miss the action so we can see some people stood about looking at TV screens?

I could go on.

Hi,
I would like to ask the ultimate expert and F1 legend.
Subject: in-season testing:
I perfectly understand the cost cutting needs in F1, But is the ban on in-season testing a potentially dangerous path. When you have a new part for a car, I don't think finding out that it flies off or explodes during a race weekend is the best way to "test" it.
The same with drivers, everyone of them are the best of the best, but any driver put into a different car on friday and then "off you go", is also a potential hazard.
Like all hi-tech situations, pilots, surgeons, your own techie's in the TV OB van, any situation needing intensive concentration you really need to know all the knobs and buttons blindfold. That takes time and practice, or Parts testing.
I would love to hear your views on this.
Thanks.
Bob
Sussex.

Dodgy question but what's that tune that's played in the background on Murray's question and answer segment? So so cool...

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Excuse my last post, I accidentally clicked "Post Comment!"

Anyway, this is my question, Murray.

In fact, I have two.

1) Why was Heikki Kovalainen so off the pace in Monza?
2) Even without his error on the last lap, would Lewis Hamilton have been able to pass Jenson Button?

Love the work, keep it up!

From Sean, Dover

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Hi Murray,

First question. Who do you rate higher as an all-round driver: Button or Barrichello?

Second question. Did you enjoy your Pig commentary?!

Hello Murray

What do you think of the accusations against Renault by former driver Nelson Piquet Jnr?

With Kubica being Orange and Black Flagged should teams be forced to bring in driver with broken front wings in sooner, as all year drivers have been racing with bits of the front wings hanging off ?

Why on earth did Mclaren opt for a 1 stop strategy?

Hi Murray

Why haven't Ferrari announced Alonso as their 2010 driver yet? Monza is always the place for these announcements so why the delay?

Hi Murray

What chance does Force India have of finishing ahead of Renault this year?

Regards
Lordwoz

What you say about Vettel joining Mcleren for next season? He is young and motivated with an urge to win races. Secondly, he may be the motivating factor for Lewis as well? Thirdly, both are young and can grow with Mcleren for a long term.

I would like to know your thoughts on this.

With a new aerodynamic package coming in Singapore, can Force India win a race this season?

I'm so glad Rubens won! It keeps his title hopes alive and makes him a worthy challenger to Button...

My question:with Red Bull's set back at Monza...
Do you think the championship is now a two-horse race between the Brawn drivers?

First Question is; With all with Kimi has done for Ferrari this season, 5 podiums, which included on win at Spa, do you think Ferrari should show him some respect and keep him on because if it wasn't for Kimi, I am not sure were they would be in the constructors.

Secondly; Do you think the Ferrari's and McLaren's will be back next year now that they have adjusted to the new regulations?

Keep up the good word Murray.. Hope to hear you again commentating, possibly in Abu Dhabi.

Hi Murray, I just wanted your opinion on Fernando Alonso and this time on his driving. Have his performances been enough to cement a drive for Ferrari next Season in your opinion?

I've noticed he seems to have been putting in a few quiet performances and hasn't been the usual startling presence he was in the early Renault days and his short stint at McLaren.

I was hoping Barrichello would do it and he did! Great race from him.It keeps him in the hunt.
Hamilton had a great race too, but unnecessarily threw it away.so my question:

Does Hamilton's uncompromising driving style sometimes compromise valuable points for his team?

and...
Who was the woman who approached Adrian Sutil after the race?
I think I'm in love...

@37 - inquisitive_person He is already signed for Red Bull for next season, so I would say very slim.

Can you explain why so many media people / pundits seem to think that Ross Brawn will get involved in the battle for DWC?

Do you think McLaren and Ferrari will struggle at the start of next season when they re-adjust to running a car without KERS? Are they damaging next seasons car by sticking with kers to get points this season?

p.s.

How do you rate Fisi's performance this weekend? Personally I felt a points finish would have been great, and he finished 9th so I think he did OK.

Firstly have you ever known two teammates to be a closer match than Button and Barrichello, cos they were consistently witin hundreths of a second of each other. Secondly do you think it would be wise for brawn to change their driver line-up for next year?

Hi Murray,
with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello fighting each other for the tittle could their relationship come under strain? Could we see a classic battle between two teamtes such as Senna and Prost, Mansell and Piquet or even Alonso and Hamilton?

Thanks

Hello Murray, Do you think Mercedes have fallen out of love with Mclaren?

@42 Kylie_Minogue_knows "Does Hamilton's uncompromising driving style sometimes compromise valuable points for his team?"

It was that same uncompromising style that won him his DWC last year on the last corner of the last race... Lewis is the racer he is and its his style that has won him numerous points, yeah he occasionally makes mistakes because of it but if you stopped him from pushing to the absolute limit I think he wouldn't be half the driver he is.

@48 cordas. very true

I thought Lewis!s front near side tyre looked odd just before he crashed

Hi Murray, do you think the 3 car teams idea will ever become reality?

@48

Dear Murray

How likely will Cordas take over from answering your questions?
;)

@52

Dear Murray

Can I become your understudy? :-)

REF 51
Great question - was about to ask that myself, considering the response given by Stefano Domenicali today.

The silence over Alonso's proposed move is intriguing - how realistic could it be to see Massa, Alonso and Raikkonen on the grid for Ferrari next season?
(can be a question answered Murray!)

and..

Traditionally by Monza, we know who's driving for who - so:
Why the uncertainty still at this late stage of the season to know which drivers are driving for which teams?

Everything is still up in the air for most teams!

Always great to hear your views.

Hi Murray, What do you think the chances are of Ferrari creating a second team? BMW looks like a prime candidate? Especially as they have so many driver to hand...

@53
I too would love to join the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ commentary team.
Love it!


@54
Kovalainen blew it today - and Eddie Jordan made such a comment.
Alan Whitmarsh has suggested that the whole driver merrygoround can only be resolved once Alonso has a confirmed drive {with Ferrari}for next season.

So I'm thinking -
Now that Kovalainen failed in the best strategy organised for him by Maclaren, it now paves the way for Kimi for a return and allow Alonso into Ferrari- maybe the delay is to find a team prepared to take on Kovalainen - but the whole switch makes perfect sense.
Kimi would be in a team he knows well, and it's not as though he's going backwards in his career..
And Alonso would finally be in a competitive car that's worthy of his talents.

Hurry up teams and let us know!

Hi Murray

With so much of so little investment going into 2009, can Brawn still be competitive next season?

Hi Murray

Do you think Formula One should reward drivers for getting Pole position and the fastest race lap?

F1 Crazy ([Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]) say that in the last five races, Kovalainen has scored the fourth most points, just two behind Hamilton, and this si true! WOW

Another podium for Raikkonen, he is deffinately a great driver and if Ferrari drop him, then they will be making a big mistake!

Great blog, Murray!

Surely Kimi Raikkonen has shown his critics wrong by putting in consistant performances and scoring the most points in the last 5 races? Do you think he will drive for Ferrari next year?

Hi murray!

Why is this year so unpredictable!!?

and who was ur driver of the day?

With Hamilton crashing out on the last lap, I remember Prost, Senna and Coulthard running out of fuel on the last lap of grand prix in the past but do you know who out of all the people who have retired/crashed on their last lap was the closest to the finishing line? I'm sure there was someone who stopped at the pit wall but can't remember who it was.

David coultard seems not to like lewis hamilton from some of his comments on bbc. He was the first to say he should be penalised in qualifying at monza and even said at the end of the race, well atleast jenson made it to the end and did not crash on the last lap.
I can only presume he is very jeolous of lewis because he has obviously forgot that lewis is the current world champion and did it in his 2nd year and nearly in his first which is something coultard has never done in 13 years, do you think this is why he does not support him like he does his mate jenson?
In my opinion lewis will be the greatest F1 driver britain has had, what do you think?

@62 Jenson retired with a burning engine on the pit straight at the start of the season a couple of seasons ago, I think he was running fairly highly, but didn't want to take an engine penalty for the next race as he/Honda thought he could win it if he didn't.

@63 Huh? Lewis baulked another driver and ruined his flying lap.... That is a punishable offence in qualifying, you can bet your last penny that if that had been a driver who thought he could have made it into Q2 and hadn't that a complaint would have been launched and Lewis would have been penalised, and if Lewis had done that at Monza last year then the stewards would have penalised him.

As for DC he has given Lewis plenty of praise this season (and in previous seasons when he was racing against him).

I think Lewis has the potential to become one of the true greats of F1 with his name mentioned along side Schumacher, Senna and Fangio but its far to early to call him the greatest British driver when you think of the likes of Sterling Moss, Jim Clarke, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell to name but a few of the best British drivers, even if I do think he might eclipse all of them.

Hi Murray,

Who would your choice for emerging driver of the year be?

Cheers

With manufacturers potentially withdrawing from F1 I would love to hear your views on how the sport can boost its numbers and increase the interest.

•The teams finishing in the top 4 in the constructers championship have to run 3 cars with only 2 counting for points. Other teams may run 3.

•1 point for pole – extra interest on the Saturday

•1 point for fastest lap – extra interest on Sunday for all runners

•Keep re-fuelling as for 2009

•Keep 2009 tyre regulations

•Reduce effect of having to stop but increase the potential loss/gain in pits
•Shorten pit length
•Only 8 people allowed working on the car – 4 on Wheels, 1 Starter, 1 Lollipop, 2 Fuel
•This should allow increase in pit lane speed

Amalgamate TV and Radio 5 Live Coverage
•Practice/Race Coverage & Podcast
•David Croft
•Anthony Davidson
•Maurice Hamilton

•Pit Lane & Forum
•Holly Samos
•Ted Kravitz

•Show & Forum
•Jake Humphrey
•Eddie Jordan

•Pre Race Walk & Forum
•David Coulthard
•Martin Brundle

Hi Roy,

Would it be possible to ask Murray for his thoughts on kovalainens poor performance at Monza. Hopefully, by his obvious contacts, he may be able to paint a more accurate picture for those of us who are curious.

Thank you

REF 67
It's because, deep in his heart of hearts, he wants to be a travel journalist - he uses F1 as a convenient way to travel around the world so he can write up reports on the sights' main interests...
he's not very good

3 cars in each team?
2 in each is bad enough and in this economic downturn the costs would be unjustifiable - you would have to lengthen the pit lane to fit so many!

with no refueling for next season you could introduce points systems for qualifying and fastest laps..

Hi Murray! Just one question but it's an important one.

With all the recent attempts by the governing body to increase overtaking, why are thy banning pit-stops? Surely this will turn a race into a procession because there will no people

Hi Murray,

If Ferrari get their way somehow and race three cars in 2010, do you think that Michael Schumacher will return and how well would he do?

Thanks.

@69

3 cars in the top teams should mean a dilution of their annual funds, so long as its not for testing.

Suggest keeping the garages the same size but reducing the pit entrance and exits or improve the entrances and exits.

Please keep the refueling!!

Still love to here the comments on my suggestions for the coverage in @66

Just an observation. The clip in Murrays video of Rubens on the podium has Schumi no the second place step and guess who..........a young Jenson in third sporting the Honda livery.......who says he has no provenance.

Odd question, but no harm in asking:

Which driver is best in the art of overtaking?


I don't mean the quaestion to be as obvious as it sounds ie. faster cars v slower cars, but Jenson's overtake on Kovalainen at the beginning was crucial to keep up with Rubens and consolidate his second place in Monza

Watching this season I'd say Jenson has been supreme...

@75 Lewis has pulled off a number of great moves on camera, Sutil did some amazing overtaking at Spa (I loved seeing him go round the outside of Badoer, using the grass to get past him) but unfortunalty it didn't get picked up by the commentates or a repeat, he did a couple of other moves that looked great as well.

Hi Murray!

There's been a lot of talk about KERS recently, with many people saying that it has ultimately failed to achieve what it set out to do i.e. allow more overtaking and closer racing. My question to you is therefore this:

Why not make it compulsory for ALL the teams to carry a KERS unit on their cars at EVERY race, but limit the number of races at which KERS can actually be used to 9/10 weekends over the course of the season?

I truly believe that this would add a further, and potentially fascinating, strategic dimension to the sport. Teams would have not only to consider the layout of each circuit, but also to try and predict what other teams will be doing, before making their decision about whether or not to activate the system. Moreover, since all cars are carrying the extra weight of the KERS unit, the degree of overtaking permitted by running the boost would be greatly enhanced. And, of course, over the course of the season, every team would have the same number of opportunities to use KERS, meaning that there can be no complaints (as there have been this year) of the KERS cars having an unfair advantage.

I would be genuinely fascinated to hear your opinion on this idea, if you have time in your next video!

In the meantime, best wishes and keep up the excellent work!

James Palmer

Poole, Dorset.

is kers now blocking overtaking?, monza was the second race in a row now where a faster force india car was stuck behind a kers powered ferrari.

With regards to testing restrictions. Is it not unfair and indeed unsafe, as in the case of Massa not being able to race, to restrict a new driver from testing in the car he is going to race. To have someone who has never driven the car before put straight into a race seems to be a recipe for disaster. In the same way as someone else has pointed out, putting new bits on cars without testing them seems also to be a potential hazard. Surely there must be a way to combat this before someone has a nasty accident? I am sure Health & Safety would have a field day if we tried to do something like this in any other industry.

Hi,
As a non Alonso fan since his ugly departure from McLaren,I now believe that he has learned from his mistakes.In my opinion he has performed better than his Renault machinery in the last two years, with an almost Schumacher will to ring out the best of it.It's time to have Alonso back at the top again regardless of the machinery he's driving.

Next year I want to see Hamilton,Vettel and Alonso fighting for the championship!

When was the last time, that all the teams scored points durring a seasson

@66 what would be the point in amalgamting five live and bbc one coverage? Radio Coverage needs to be so much more descriptive, due to not being able to see whats on track. That would annoy me. Also why is brundle not in commentry team, he is the best in the business. And besides, the bbc isnt feeling the pinch they will continue to get their anual budget of £4.3 billion.

Why bother?

Hello. A few races ago you said that if you were to have 2 drivers in a team right now, you'd pick Button and Hamilton. Given that Button has been outperformed by Barichello since Silverstone, have you changed your mind?

Hello Murray,
There has been much speculation in recent months that Fernando Alonso will be driving a Ferrari during the 2010 season and that his team mate will be Felipe Massa. However, to me although I think it would be a dream for any driver to race for Ferrari, I don’t think that this would be the best move for Alonso. This is because Alonso’s time at McLaren, seemed not to work because even though he was a double world champion he was not given number one status in the team. Therefore why would Alonso sign for Ferrari alongside Massa- who I very much doubt Ferrari would give him number one status over when he could sign for the new Spanish team Campos Grand Prix (who were 2008 Gp2 champions) and help to build the team up around him as Schumacher did when he moved to Ferrari in 1996? How about Fernando Alonso and Jaime Alguersuari as team mates at Campos Grand Prix for the 2010 season?

Its great news that F1 will be returning to Canada next year, what other race (or historic track layout) would you want to see make a return?

With the new scandal surrounding Renault, it seems that rather than denying it they are now claiming it was Nelson Jr's idea so in my book an admission to the fact that it took place.

If the FIA judge them to be guilty, what do you think should happen regarding the fact that the championship was rightfully Philippe Masa's?

I know this is not an easy one but it is an issue that never seems to be mentioned.

A world championship is a huge prize and it was effectively stolen from Philippe if that is the case.

I have a question, and it's a galling one for sure...

"Should Nelson Piquet Jnr be trialed for his attempted involuntary Manslaughter for his participation of Singapore Renaultgate?"

Are the Piquets mad? delusional?

I have been chomping at the bit to see fellow bloggers take a stance. I have read Brundle's blog and even he has diluted to the main point... a car that can travel at over 200mph, ordered to deliberately crash? That is a lethal weapon!

Imagine if Piquet Jnr agreed to this - the risk of injury not only to himself but to others would have been greatly magnified...I can't believe this even would be suggested to such a dangerous sport!!

I hope Flavio and those at Renault can wash their hands from this situation as much as the Piquets are chastised for it. I hope it's all sour grapes and Piquet Jnr never sets foot in a F1 car again, because if he's telling the the truth, the ramifications are just too much to bear...

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Hi Roy, great blog and as always excellent insights from Murray. Looking forward to what he has to say about the upcoming Singapore GP. Wil he be in town?

I have a question for Murray

"Considering there will be 26 or 28 cars on the 2010 grid, is there enough garages for all the teams in the pit lane at every grand prix?"