The Autodromo Nazionale Monza could look a little different for Formula One cars in 2017, as the event organizers plan to remove the first chicane and create a new chicane that will replace turn three. The change will also impact the motorcycles, but will lead to faster lap times according to the latest simulations.
Despite not having a contract to host the Italian Grand Prix in 2017, the circuit will be making some renovations to the layout. Government documents reveal that Jarno Zaffelli, an Italian race track designer, may be making some changes to the circuit in time for 2017. The 2016 Italian Grand Prix will remain unaffected, but if the sport decides to return in 2017, it could be very different.
One of the circuit redesigns includes the removal of the Rettifilio chicane. This means that the first corner will be straightened and be taken in full throttle by the Formula One cars, similar to the first corner at the Sochi Autodrom, which hosts the Russian Grand Prix.
Further down the road, the Curva Grande will be removed and replaced with a new chicane which goes left and then right. This new chicane will not be as severe as Rettifilio chicane and will be more reminiscent of turns four and five that are currently on the circuit. The new chicane will have a gravel trap and drivers that run wide in turn one will bypass turn two and rejoin at turn three using the existing Curva Grande.
The rest of the lap remains the same as it has been in the past, with the exception of the Parabolica. Previously, gravel was used on the outside of the turn for drivers which run wide, however, most of the gravel was removed a couple of years ago. This redesign will bring back most of the gravel that was replaced with asphalt.
There is still doubt for many, as the new plans will require a lot of landscaping, specifically tree removal, in order to complete the new layout. This costly and unenvironmentally friendly process has halted many of the renovations that have been proposed in the past and it is unclear whether it will do the same to this proposal.
