Alexander Wurz's lap of Monza.

McLaren-Mercedes test driver Alexander Wurz describes a lap of Monza - site of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix:

''Powering along the wide start-finish straight at Monza, you reach the top speed on the track of some 215mph/344kph in seventh gear, you brake dramatically with your speed dropping to 60mph/96kph in second gear to negotiate the right-left flick of the Retifillio Chicane. As the tightly packed field enters the Retifillio on the first lap, the narrowing track has a funnel effect, and is often the scene of incidents.''

''Exiting the chicane leads to the long right-hander of the Curva Grande. Entering at some 155mph/248kph in fourth gear, you accelerate through the corner and reach a speed of 183mph/296kph in sixth gear on the exit. Full on the throttle along the short straight that leads to the Variente della Roggia chicane, you reach 203mph/328kph in seventh gear before braking hard, pulling 4G, for the left-right chicane which is negotiated at 69mph/112kph in second gear.''

''Another short straight leads you to the fast double right-hander of the Curva di Lesmos. The first section is taken at 104mph/168kph in third gear, a quick burst of acceleration up through fourth gear, sees you reach 155mph/248kph before again slowing for the second part of Lemos, which is negotiated at 95mph/152kph still in fourth.''

''Pushing hard on the throttle as you exit the corner, your speed approaches 210mph/336kph in seventh gear as you power along the long Curva del Serraglio straight, towards the left hand Curva del Vialone, which sees your speed drop to 95mph/152kph in third gear. This is immediately followed by the right-left Ascari chicane. You enter the fourth gear chicane at 110mph/176kph, with your speed increasing through the chicane to 135mph/217kph as you exit. Accelerating along the Retifillio Centro straight, you reach 210mph/336kph in seventh gear on the approach to the long sweeping righthander of Parabolica.''

''Your speed drops to 110mph/176kph in fourth gear as you negotiate the tight entrance to Parabolica. As the curve opens out, your speed increases, powering up through the gears as you swing back onto the long pit straight and then you are off on another lap...''