Perth’s Chloe Grant feels she has made massive strides ahead of competing at the ‘Temple of Speed’ this weekend.
The 17-year-old continues her F1 Academy season at the renowned Monza circuit in Italy off the back of testing in Spain and the previous round in the Netherlands.
The historic 3.48-mile Monza track north of Milan is currently the fastest track on the F1 calendar with an average speed of 164mph and top speed of 225mph.
Grant’s Tatuus single-seater will only hit a top speed of around 160mph and the former Perth High student knows she must be patient, not push too hard and ideally find a ‘tow’ from another car around the ultra-fast circuit.
“We made massive progress in testing at MotorLand Aragón and then at Zandvoort and I now need to translate what I’ve learned into positions at the sharp end of the grid at Monza,” she said.
“I was overconfident at Zandvoort, pushed too hard and had an off, resulting in poor qualifying positions.
“I was very annoyed with myself and I’m not going to let that happen again. I’d been in the top-six in both practice sessions so it was hugely disappointing.
“I know where my limit is now with this car. I need to learn the Monza track having never been there before but qualifying well is absolutely critical so that I can be in contention for top race results.”
Grant added: “Vital lap time at Monza can be saved by closely following another car in its slipstream.
“Whether that is part of a strategy with my ART Grand Prix team-mates or I use the tow from another car, we’ll see.
“But clearly those two 15 minute sessions are likely to determine whether I’ll have good races.”
