Monza track talk with Robert Kubica

Monza is a special place for the tifosi, for Ferrari, for all the Italian drivers - and also for me. I feel at home there. I used to live about 6 km from Monza and sometimes, when the wind was blowing in the right direction, I could hear some testing noise.

Because I used to live there, I think I’m quite popular in Italy and I get a lot of support from Italian fans, which I am thankful for. One year, I designed my helmet to include the Italian flag as a way to thank them for their support. I am still Polish, but Italy gave me a lot as a driver.

Monza is a completely different track to the others and that’s why I really enjoy going there. You have long straights and the highest average speed on the calendar, but it’s difficult because we are not used to driving with such low downforce. You find that the car suddenly feels quite light, and you have to get a feeling for the handling.

In the past, when we used to have testing one week before the race, you had a chance to get used to it. Because of the low downforce, you are definitely more dependent on mechanical grip than on other tracks. You also need a car that is good under braking and has good traction out of the chicanes.

Turns six and seven, the Lesmos, are pretty difficult, especially the second Lesmo. It’s a very short corner and very easy to run wide on the exit, particularly because they keep reducing the amount of kerb. It’s a very difficult corner and you really need a good exit because it’s a long way to go to the Ascari chicane. It looks a very simple corner, but I’ve always found it very difficult.

The final corner, turn 11, the Parabolica, is a famous corner, but it’s not so challenging any more. It’s a very long corner, but it’s open and for a very long time you are at full power. It has a very important exit and often you get some understeer if you go too early on the power. If you do, then you are just hoping that it will be okay. So it’s a nice corner, but not too challenging.