“I don't know what happened to Lewis,” said Button in the immediate aftermath of Brawn’s 1-2 at Monza last year, “but I was pretty much in control and he obviously ended his race half a lap early." While the victorious Barrichello had the luxury of an untroubled final lap, Jenson had a KERS-boosted McLaren filling his mirrors. With no championship considerations to worry about, Hamilton was in full do or die mode. He went into the first Lesmo for the final time at an astonishing 160mph, determined to close the gap to his countryman. Momentarily losing adhesion, he drifted a fraction wide and the unforgiving Lesmo 2 spat the McLaren into the barriers where it shed wheels and rebounded across the circuit. Sutil’s fourth place proved that Force India’s Spa showing was no mere fluke, the German also started from the front row and recorded fastest race lap.

Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale is one of the great theatres of motorsport. As usual we have adopted the lakeside resort of Como, just 25 miles from the circuit, as our base. The natural beauty of the lake, to which Como gives its name, is the town’s main appeal, but the historic Old Town, the stylish shopping streets and the spectacular funicular railway are all sure to delight.

General Admission