Italian Grand Prix 2013: 5 Key Storylines to Watch at Monza

It's the turn of one of Formula One's greatest circuits to host the latest stage of the 2013 title fight, and it could prove pivotal as the season reaches its climax.

With Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull, to their own surprise, proving dominant at Spa, the Italian Grand Prix offers the German's rivals a second chance at gaining some much-needed momentum.

Christian Horner's team knows they could be under attack at Monza, so expect Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton to pull out all the stops this weekend in order to strike.

There are various things to look out for throughout the field. How will Daniel Ricciardo fare now he's been handed the second Red Bull seat for 2014? Can Felipe Massa impress at Ferrari's home race and secure his own future? Will McLaren succeed on its 50th anniversary?

Here, we take a look at five key storylines which will fascinate at Monza this weekend.

5: A Happy Anniversary for McLaren?

It's been one of those seasons where McLaren probably would have wanted its 50th anniversary celebrations to fall during another campaign.

Lacklustre though its been, there have been signs of improvement, with Spa giving the clearest indication yet that while the team has given up upgrading the car it is increasing its understanding all the time.

Plus, with Monza representing a unique downforce package and this year's McLaren traditionally struggling in the aerodynamic department, it means their opponents are being lowered more towards their level in that regard.

Ultimately, this weekend is probably Jenson Button and Sergio Perez's best chance for a podium earned on merit this season.

The Mexican proved last year he can be a potent weapon around Monza, while Button's a big fan of the historic circuit.

McLaren's anniversary may not coincide with its first win of 2013, but it would not be too far-fetched to consider a possible rostrum finish to mark the festivities.

4: A Need to Impress

What do Massa, Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil have in common? All three are massively under fire to retain their seats in Formula One next season.

How about Nico Hulkenberg, Paul di Resta and Jules Bianchi? They are all on the radar of teams bigger than their current employers.

Then you have the likes of Jean-Eric Vergne and Romain Grosjean, who are just eager to end the season with good momentum.

That's a fantastic melting point of nerves and pressure, which means we're either in for spectacular racing or some rather unimpressive shunts.

The first six drivers mentioned here will all want to end the season on a high, for various reasons. Monza, with it being so unique, offers the smaller teams the opportunity to excel—just look at Sauber last year with Perez.

Podiums aren't essential (well, maybe in Massa's case), but points are. And a few top six finishes would not harm their causes either. 

3: Ferrari's Expectant Faithful

There is no pressure in Formula One like that of an expectant Tifosi.

Combine that with a seemingly unstoppable Vettel and Red Bull, and Ferrari has quite the headache this weekend.

The indication at Spa was the Scuderia has made progress, but not as much as was hoped. 

They were ahead of the Mercedes in Belgium, but lagged just behind Vettel again. That, in all likelihood, will be reversed this weekend. Expect the Silver Arrows to be strong with the Red Bull struggling a little bit in sectors one and two. 

Ferrari might be galvanised by the support; it may also wilt under the spotlight. It's unlikely Massa, however much pressure he is under, is going to dig deep and find a race-winning result.

That means, as it so often is, it is entirely down to Alonso to fly the flag for the Maranello squad this weekend.

Expect cheers for the Spaniard, and jeers for anyone who crosses him. The podium ceremony promises to be fascinating.

2: Lotus' Wheelbase Gamble

The decision made by Lotus to bring a long-wheelbase version of its E21 to Monza shows the Enstone squad's endeavour.

Team Principal Eric Boullier told Autosport that if it was a success, it could prove a crucial component towards the design and development of the 2014 car.

That in itself makes this an absolute must-watch this weekend. Will it be quick? Quicker than the original E21 might have been?

The team is relying on its simulator for a major upgrade for the first time, so that will also prove important in the long-term. Will it correlate to on-track results?

Lotus expect/hope it will boost the team's form into the final run-in. Monza will be the first indicator as to whether it, and Raikkonen, can realistically aim for the title this year.

1: Speed vs. Balance

Such is the unique challenge of racing at Monza, teams bring a totally unique, low-downforce package to the Italian Grand Prix.

It offers the less-aerodynamically endowed teams an opportunity to excel and threatens to maroon the downforce-dependent heavyweights in the lower reaches of the top 10.

That's why Red Bull would consider a podium a strong return from this weekend, and why its rivals are determined to take advantage.

It's a circuit which historically has not been kind to them—not that history proved too useful in 2011, when Vettel claimed a dominant win—because Monza's high-speed layout is to the detriment of the downforce-greedy Adrian Newey machines.

Mercedes arguably has F1's strongest engine package, so Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be disappointed if they cannot challenge for pole or the win. 

However, it's not just about how quickly you reach the corners: what happens when you get there is key too.

The Mercedes is still a twitchy beast when it's not hooked up, let alone in low-downforce trim at Monza, riding the kerbs and going as late as possible on the brakes.

It means a fascinating battle should ensue between those who crave a few extra kph at the end of the straight, and those who crave a few extra metres in the braking zone.