F1 diary, tyres and safety on top ahead of Monza

WILL becoming a father for the first time change Nico Rosberg’s approach and does Formula One need closed cockpits?

These are just some of the talking points ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza today.

Do the drivers trust Pirelli?

Tyre talk is back with a bang. After a couple of years in the wilderness — the suspicion was Pirelli made tyres more durable in order to keep a lower profile — it has been thrust centre stage by Sebastian Vettel and Rosberg’s blowouts in Belgium.

Vettel’s outburst in Spa was based on months of disquiet both he and other drivers have about the tyres; not just their safety, but performance too.

And the revelation that his blowout was not simply caused by tyre wear but by an external cut will damage the drivers’ trust in Pirelli even further.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has demanded an end to blowouts but has done its best not to inflame the row further.

Rosberg’s family values

Becoming a father or a mother, I am told, changes your outlook on life. What impact it will have on Rosberg — competing in a sport where there have been two tragic reminders of the dangers in recent months — is unclear. Does it change how a racing driver approaches risk? The answer from most is no. More broadly, it could provide the Mercedes driver with the extra inspiration to raise his game, something he needs to do urgently if he is to catch Lewis Hamilton in the championship.

Does Formula One need closed cockpits?

It is the debate that will not go away. After Justin Wilson’s fatal accident — the Sheffield-born racer was hit on the helmet by a piece of debris from another car — it has been thrust centre stage once more.

Felipe Massa, who himself experienced a similar accident back in 2009 but was able to return to racing, is in favour of closed cockpits to protect the driver’s head. Increasingly, there is a groundswell of opinion in concurrence with that view.

The FIA, motorsport’s governing body, is planning more tests this month, but any solution remains a way off.

Formula One’s winter in the wilderness

Some interesting comments from Red Bull boss Christian Horner on Formula One’s large winter break at the end of the year (with the 2016 season starting in April, December, January and February will all be clear).

“For me, it would be better to have some running in February, at least a test or something, because it will be a long time with no news about F1,” Horner told Sky Sports. “Unfortunately we were out-voted on that.”

But he has a point. The breaks between races this season have been bad enough, with Formula One often falling off the radar.

Monza’s place on Formula One calendar

Calendar stories have a general weariness to them, going round and round in circles, but the place of the Italian Grand Prix is of the utmost importance. Monza is a race Formula One cannot afford to lose.

Evidently trying to extract more money from the Italians, as well as improvements to the facilities, Bernie Ecclestone is always talking down its chances. Hopefully everyone will come to an agreement in the end.