Monza, Italy. What hasn't been written a thousand times already? Long, high speed straights are the Italian way as Autodromo Nazionale Monza beckons Formula 1 once more. Ferarri escaped this week's World Motor Sport Council hearing with little more than a slap on the wrist so our five-way championship battle remains well and truly on.

Event schedule

Keep an eye on 'flexi-wing news' during the build up to the weekend as more stringent bodywork tests are introduced by the governing body. Changes are centred around the floor just behind the nose and are a further attempt to restrict the amount cars can flex when running at speed. McLaren have already admitted to making modifications and expect the rest of the paddock to have done the same.

With a ban on in-season testing, Friday will be an important day for setup work at this unique circuit. Force India may be a team on the move with their all powerful Mercedes engine helping them get amongst the sharp end of the timesheets. This past fortnight both Lotus Racing and Toro Rosso carried out a number of straight line tests in preparation for the race, with the latter rumoured to be bringing their version of the f-duct onstream for the first time. Let's hope it works as well as Renault's successful introduction of the same device at the last race in Spa.

Don't forget to keep an eye on newly re-signed Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi, who will no-doubt be out to prove his teams faith in him is not in vain. Can he make it three points finishes in a row?

Support racing for this event includes GP2, GP3, Formula BMW and Porsche Supercup.

The weather

Is anybody hoping for more rain? Two weeks ago, inclement skies provided plenty of on (and some off) track action during the weekend, but sadly the skies have cleared above this circuit and there's nothing but bright sunshine predicted from Friday through to Sunday. Barely a cloud is to be found while nothing more than a light breeze will be able to upset the cars.

The circuit

Monza is dominated by long straights punctuated by tight chicanes. You need plenty of power, but also the ability to stop and stop well for 53 punishing laps. Tyres take a significant battering too, and Bridgestone are bringing their hard and soft compounds this weekend. There should be little call for intermediate rubber.

Turn one offers the best chance of overtaking, and along with the second chicane has seen some minor modifications for this year to prevent any cars hitting kerbs becoming airborne.

Circuit map

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

Four stewards oversee a Formula 1 race weekend, two FIA stewards, together with one experienced former F1 driver and a steward representing the National Sporting Authority.

Following live

A thread will be created on Sidepodcast.com for every session and every thread is live enabled, meaning you can follow along and contribute to the conversation without refreshing the page.