5 possibilities of records that lie at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix

As Formula 1 enters the last leg of the European circuits, there couldn't have possibly been a better way to exit Europe and prepare for the rounds in Asia and the Americas than with a duel at Italy.

The quintessential home of the Italian Grand Prix, Monza mostly always unfurls a titanic racing fest it being the home race of Ferrari, the sport's most iconic racing marquee and thanks to the presence of a great many Italian fans and racing aficionados; Tifosi.

As a track, Monza occupies a legendary place in the firmament of Grand Prix racing. Even though the track was designed and completed in May 1922, it would only open for the public for the first time in September 1922.

One of the only two racing tracks to have formed a part of the F1 roster, ever since the inaugural season got underway, Monza has carved a distinct identity for itself all thanks to being checkered with a tricky collection of high-speed corners and extended straights where cars often hit the speed-traps of over 320 k/h.

As round 14 of the 2018 season goes underway on Sunday, what are the 5 possibilities of records being broken at this charismatic track; the home of the Italian Grand Prix?

Hamilton win will see him share most wins at Monza with Schumacher: 5

In 2017, Ferraris has no answer to Lewis, who ruled at Monza

All eyes will once again be transfixed on the man in charge of the 2018 driver's championships; holding the top position.

Regardless of whosoever grabs the pole, Hamilton will begin his Monza charge holding that crucial 17-point lead over second-place Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

What can Hamilton do at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix? The fans, at this point in time, would be submerged in various permutations and combinations as will the celebrating racing marquee from Brackley.

Should Hamilton manage to win at Monza this weekend, it will be the fifth occasion where he'd win the Italian Grand Prix. This will see the four-time world champion draw level with Michael Schumacher as the only driver with 5 wins at Monza, an incredible feat.

But that said, Hamilton would be aware of the Ferrari engine and the power output that garnered the Scuderia its commanding win at Spa.

Daniel Ricciardo could take his first-ever podium at the Italian Grand Prix

Can car. no 3 grab its first-ever Monza podium this weekend?

Of his 29 podium finishes in Formula 1, surprisingly, none have come at Monza. This perhaps suffices the importance for Daniel Ricciardo to galvanise his record at the Italian Grand Prix, an event where he doesn't quite enjoy a spectacular record.

While the Red Bull driver's last win came quite a while back this year at Monaco, his fans will be curious to know if the Australian can salvage a podium finish at Monza on Sunday?

Should Ricciardo do that, he will go on to clinch his maiden podium at the Italian Grand Prix.

Vettel win will tie with Lewis as drivers on the grid with most wins at Monza: 4

In 2017, Vettel garnered a lowly P3 behind Hamilton and Bottas at Monza

Sebastian Vettel earned arguably his most memorable Monza moment back in 2008.

Then, driving as a young but charismatic Toro Rosso driver, the German earned a fighting win under challenging inclement weather, thus garnering the only race-win for the sister outfit of Red Bull Racing.

Vettel's overall record at Monza includes some feisty triumphs starting 2008, followed by big wins in 2011 and 2013. Back then, his wins would come with Red Bull, a team he will be cautious about this racing weekend.

One doesn't quite know when would a Red Bull come out of nowhere and emerge with a win, as seen at China and Austria earlier this season.

But that said, Vettel, will draw confidence from his imposing triumph at Spa-Francorchamps. The win not only rattled the Mercedes, including its top driver, Lewis Hamilton but gave a fair idea of the grid about Ferrari's menacing pace. So the question is, can Vettel emerge with a fourth win and tie the record for most wins by the current drivers on the grid with Lewis?

We will have to wait and see.

Raikkonen has the chance to get his hundredth podium at Ferrari's home race

Raikkonen has never won at Monza; his last podium was in 2009

How on earth did Ferrari manage the time and the skill to compromise yet another race for Raikkonen, as seen at the Spa-Francorchamps pit-disaster that later led to Kimi's retirement, could be used as a case study, arguably stating that how mega brands spoil opportunities to win.

Regardless, shifting the attention back to Monza, where Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari doesn't quite have a sterling record, there looms the possibility for the 'Iceman' to collect his hundredth podium, a remarkable achievement for any racing driver.

But for that to happen, Kimi would not only have to up his game in qualifying, an aspect of his driving that he's significantly improved starting the season-opener at Melbourne but will also require the assistance of his crew to help him out in the crucial stoppages.

Moreover, Raikkonen, not a man of few words would definitely factor in a statistic that doesn't quite do justice to his overall potential. At Monza, the last that Kimi stood on the podium was courtesy that fighting P3 in 2009, when he drove for Ferrari but in an era where the legendary V8s existed.

His form at Italy under the turbo-powered era hasn't been that sparkling, to be honest. So, can the Iceman salvage a fight worth remembering?

Ferrari have a chance to win their first home race since 2010

Ferrari's last win at Monza came thanks to Alonso, in 2010.

It's rather disconcerting, specifically from a Ferrari point of view that the last that the Italian racing team won in a Grand Prix in its own backyard was in 2010.

Since 12 September 2010, the Prancing Horse supporter, whether in Italy or anywhere in the world hasn't seen any Ferrari driver embrace the top step of the podium at Monza.

Thanks to Alonso, then driving for the Scuderia, the home team ended up scoring an immensely-valued win ahead of Jenson Button of McLaren-Mercedes.

All of that could change this weekend should Sebastian Vettel or his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen manage to garner a win. The chances of the later, however, remain as elusive as the spectacle of spotting a mermaid at a beach.

For now, it's all to play for, for the 20 drivers on the grid and the 10 teams in pursuit of glory at Monza.