(Motorsport news) Formula 1 has returned to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the fastest track of the calendar and the second sprint race. It has been a busy week, especially for Mercedes as George Russell has been announced the new driver for the 2022 season, partnering Lewis Hamilton while Valtteri Bottas will move to Alfa Romeo.

A 100km sprint will decide the grid positions ahead of the 53 lap Italian GP and the practice schedule has changed to two one hour sessions, one will be held before qualifying on Friday while the other before the F1 Sprint on Saturday. The last time this format was implemented, Hamilton came first in qualifying, Verstappen topped the F1 Sprint and both the drivers collided in the first lap at Silverstone.

However, the pressure will not just be on Verstappen and Hamilton. This is Scuderia Ferrari’s home turf, the Tifosi will make their voices heard and will want Formula 1’s most successful and historic team to compete for a win.

Red Bull currently have a slender advantage as Max Verstappen is 3 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton thanks to back to back victories in Belgium and Netherlands. Mercedes will be confident of their chances heading into Monza, as they have won every Italian Grand Prix in the hybrid era except for Charles Leclerc’s 2019 and Pierre Gasly’s 2020 win.

Both teams (Mercedes and Red Bull) will have very little to no margin for error to gain victory at Monza and Verstappen and Hamilton will be going all guns blazing this weekend. A victory for Verstappen will extend his lead over Hamilton and will prove to be a milestone accomplishment for Red Bull, who have only finished on the podium once in the last seven races. The race will be broadcasted at 6:30 pm on Sunday, 12th September.

Also read: Top five performers of the Formula 1 2021 season so far