Italian Grand Prix Preview: Seven races to go

Yes, that’s right we are seven races away from the end of the 2011 season and with the dominance that Sebastian Vettel has brought to this year’s championship we can already start making the calculations.

So here they go: if Webber (2nd in the standings at the moment) would win every single race until the end of the season, his team-mate would only need to be placed in fourth in all of those to win the championship. In order to secure the title the German might need a maximum of 83 points.

So we are now heading to Ferrari’s home Grand Prix in Monza, but where Vettel conquered his first ever F1 win, at the time driving for Toro Rosso. And by the way it has been throughout the year he is the main contender.

We are still expecting is more fighting from last year’s contenders. Last time in Belgium, things might have been a little bit more difficult for Vettel hadn’t Webber had a poor start, Hamilton crashed and Button underperformed in qualifying.

With the generally recognized as the most powerful engine on the grid on the MP4-26, McLaren is expected to do well in Monza, as the track is known for making good use of cars’ potency.

Having won five times in Monza, Michael Schumacher may also have something to say in Italy. And after a great performance in Spa-Francorchamps can we expect his first podium finish since his comeback to the sport?

With a potent engine Force India should also be expected to make a good performance in Monza this weekend.

But we can’t forget that we are in Italy, and home favourite Ferrari always has something special prepared for Monza. Last year Fernando Alonso won here as he was debuting in Monza with Ferrari. He will definitely want to repeat that result.

Sunday’s race will have two DRS zones, an issue that has been causing some antagonist positions. Sauber’s technical director James Key expects that the system will make little difference, while Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button think it will work the opposite way.

Fact is that many voices said that DRS made overtaking too easy in Spa, but will it have the same effect at Monza? We will have to wait and check this weekend.