Monza, also known as the “temple of speed” will be the hub of the motorsports world this weekend as once again, Formula 1 returns to Italy for the Gran Premio D’Italia 2013.  Now that the season is past the midway point, and the championship competition is hotter than Kimi Raikkonen’s brake rotors at Spa, we go into the twelfth grand prix for the year at what could easily be considered Ferrari’s turf.

Sebastian Vettel is most definitely the man to beat, but Fernando Alonso hasn’t given up yet.  The Spaniard is going to do his utmost to make sure that if Vettel does secure his fourth consecutive championship, it will be after a hard-fought and hard-won.  Not to be ignored is Lewis Hamilton who’s making his mark with Mercedes despite all the negative commentary following his switch from McLaren.  Also the aforementioned Raikkonen who (according to scuttlebutt) almost replaced Mark Webber as Vettel’s team mate in 2014, is still hanging in there.

Quite frankly, if you think the relationship between the Infiniti Red Bull drivers was contentious with Webber, I believe it would have been a total disaster to pair Vettel with The Iceman.  Speaking of Webber, who’s enjoying his farewell season, he’s performed consistently and remains a tough racer to the end.  Maybe he’ll take Monza this weekend.  Who knows?  With eighteen other hungry racers like Button, Grosjean, Rosberg and Massa – we could witness the upset of the year.

Vettel Pit Stop at Monza 2012
Sebastian Vettel drives in for a pitstop during the FIA Formula One World Championship 2012 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy on September 9th, 2012 // Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool //