Seven points separate Sebastian Vettel (right) and Lewis Hamilton going into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
He's behind you! —
Seven points separate Sebastian Vettel (right) and Lewis Hamilton going into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
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Vettel is a three-time winner of the Italian Grand Prix, but he has yet to take the checkered flag for his current team Ferrari which he joined in 2015.
Vettel seeks first win in red —
Vettel is a three-time winner of the Italian Grand Prix, but he has yet to take the checkered flag for his current team Ferrari which he joined in 2015.
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has also won three times at Monza -- in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Triple champion —
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has also won three times at Monza -- in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
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Every September, the Tifosi flock to Monza to cheer on Ferrari. "Monza is always considered to be Ferrari's home race," says F1 journalist Maurice Hamilton. "If you were to have such a thing as a national F1 team, Ferrari would be it because it's the only team in F1 that's got the whole country's backing."
Forza Ferrari! —
Every September, the Tifosi flock to Monza to cheer on Ferrari. "Monza is always considered to be Ferrari's home race," says F1 journalist Maurice Hamilton. "If you were to have such a thing as a national F1 team, Ferrari would be it because it's the only team in F1 that's got the whole country's backing."
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Alberto Ascari is hoisted aloft after winning the 1951 Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari at Monza. The Italian team has won their home race a record 18 times.
Home turf for Ferrari —
Alberto Ascari is hoisted aloft after winning the 1951 Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari at Monza. The Italian team has won their home race a record 18 times.
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Monza's famous banking was constructed in 1954 and used four times for F1 races in 1955 (pictured with five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio leading the way), 1956, 1960 and 1961. It has since fallen derelict, but remains a treasured backdrop to modern races.
Banking —
Monza's famous banking was constructed in 1954 and used four times for F1 races in 1955 (pictured with five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio leading the way), 1956, 1960 and 1961. It has since fallen derelict, but remains a treasured backdrop to modern races.
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The old banking can be spied from the various vantage points around Monza -- and can be seen on television as the drivers blast down towards the Ascari chicane.
Nostalgia trip —
The old banking can be spied from the various vantage points around Monza -- and can be seen on television as the drivers blast down towards the Ascari chicane.
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Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari (right) talks to John Surtees at Monza ahead of the 1963 Italian Grand Prix. The Briton, who <a href="https://www.trupilariante.com/2017/03/10/motorsport/john-surtees-dies-f1-motorcycling/index.html">died in March at the age of 83</a>, won the 1964 F1 World Championship with the Ferrari team.
Founding father —
Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari (right) talks to John Surtees at Monza ahead of the 1963 Italian Grand Prix. The Briton, who died in March at the age of 83, won the 1964 F1 World Championship with the Ferrari team.
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Surtees (left) won the Italian Grand Prix twice in 1964 and 1967 (pictured).
Historic race —
Surtees (left) won the Italian Grand Prix twice in 1964 and 1967 (pictured).
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Monza was the scene of a horrific accident in 1961 when German driver Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his Ferrari car and plunged into the crowd. Von Trips was killed along with 15 spectators. Scottish driver Jim Clark, pictured in the foreground, was hit by von Trips but escaped unhurt.
Touched by tragedy —
Monza was the scene of a horrific accident in 1961 when German driver Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his Ferrari car and plunged into the crowd. Von Trips was killed along with 15 spectators. Scottish driver Jim Clark, pictured in the foreground, was hit by von Trips but escaped unhurt.
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Von Trips of Germany, pictured here ahead of the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, raced 27 times, winning two grands prix before tragedy struck at Monza.
German racer —
Von Trips of Germany, pictured here ahead of the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, raced 27 times, winning two grands prix before tragedy struck at Monza.
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Monza has also been the scene of great heroics. In 1976, Niki Lauda returned to the race track just six weeks after suffering life-threatening injuries in a fiery crash at the German Grand Prix. Remarkably, the Austrian finished fourth for Ferrari in his first outing back.
Brave return —
Monza has also been the scene of great heroics. In 1976, Niki Lauda returned to the race track just six weeks after suffering life-threatening injuries in a fiery crash at the German Grand Prix. Remarkably, the Austrian finished fourth for Ferrari in his first outing back.
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Happy times for Ferrari as Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher completed a one-two for the Italian team in 2002. Ferrari hasn't won at Monza since 2010.
Ferrari 1-2 —
Happy times for Ferrari as Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher completed a one-two for the Italian team in 2002. Ferrari hasn't won at Monza since 2010.
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Juan Pablo Montoya set the fastest lap in the history of Formula One at Monza back in 2004. The Colombian drove his Williams car at an average speed of almost 163 mph (262 kph) during pre-qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
Fastest lap —
Juan Pablo Montoya set the fastest lap in the history of Formula One at Monza back in 2004. The Colombian drove his Williams car at an average speed of almost 163 mph (262 kph) during pre-qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
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