Williams driver Alex Wurz is looking forward to the upcoming Italian Grand Prix here at the Monza circuit, the Austrian racer eagerly anticipating his thirteenth race for the Grove based squad. He is also thrilled to be taking part in such a special event as he explains on the team’s official website…

"Monza, it seems to be almost like a last Mohican. It carries something magic, just when an Italian pronounces Monza it is already damn cool. But when you drive down the long straights back in the forest, it makes you feel pretty lonely. Sometimes on the straights you feel lost in time - things happen in slow motion.

It sounds like I'm on something here, but the straights, where we reach 350km/h and the centuries-old trees hang over the track, just make the place so surreal. When you sit in the car, waiting to go out, you can hear the whisper in the trees and the birds whistling…then the silence is interrupted by the starter motor. The engine revs up and off you go out into the tense air.

The track is the last low downforce track on the calendar. You will see the tiny rear wings we have on the back, all trimmed to give very little drag and high top speeds. That means the car has less grip and it is more nervous to drive.

I tell you, when you drive out for the first time it takes you a few laps to get used to the car feeling so light. But after that, once your brain is tuned into it, you can develop a good rhythm.

I've talked enough about the spirit and magic of the place: let's talk about the driving. The first chicane is taken in first gear, which serves its purpose to slow the cars down from 350km/h to 70km/h in just 120 metres. The only thing that a driver has to watch out for here is that his brakes are working ok and that you are not too aggressive in the middle of the chicane, just carry the speed out of it and stay clear of the kerb on the exit.

Now comes the second chicane, which has the old-fashioned kerbs. We drivers have to cut them to the maximum, so it's full attack over the kerbs. This bangs you around in the car like mad and, on landing, one has to hope that the rear lands straight and then you put down the power. You have to trust that the guys at the factory have worked on the carbon wishbones with the greatest of care because the track is so hard on the material, I'm glad I'm not a wishbone in that chicane.

The first Lesmo has a long apex and if your car has a stable rear end you can carry so much speed into it. The second Lesmo has a short apex and is a little banked, so gives you a feeling of good front-end grip. But that's dangerous - one can overdo it there and end up on the grass or in the wall. Also the exit kerb is nasty, but that's kind of cool, as you have to hit it very accurately not to lose time.

Then it's one of those long straights and we arrive at Ascari in seventh at 320km/h, braking at 100m and aiming to carry a lot of speed in. Here, you can feel everything in your car, the set up, the way the dampers work for you.

When your brakes are not efficient here, it becomes hard to navigate. I love the middle and exit - it gives you a buzz when you have done it properly. You can feel the Tifosi, which gather here in herds. They respect you for this section. Of course, if you drive a Ferrari you're a demi-god, whatever you do, even if you're ugly.

Finally, Parabolica. As soon as the front comes to the apex you should stamp on the power, still far from the exit. Stay committed to the throttle until the car slides to the white line and hope the grip comes back before you end in the dirt. Lift and you can lose half a second. Monza is an amazing place, I can't wait.”