As a legendary race in Italy, Monza is known for its fast-paced action and intense Tifosi pride. Ferrari rose to victory this year with Charles Leclerc earning his second win at the Italian Grand Prix circuit.
There is no better race for a Ferrari driver to win than Monza, surrounded by thousands of die-hard Ferrari fans. The crowd bleeds rosso corsa every year, and there’s no question of who the favorable team is at this circuit.
Ferrari has had a rough few races following Leclerc’s home race win in Monaco, but the team managed to execute a perfect strategy to reach the top step. The Italian team took a risk with a one-stop race, but it proved to be the favorable option as Leclerc crossed the chequered flag.
Leclerc posing with Ferrari fans on the podium after his second win in Monza. Courtesy of Bryn Lennon/ESPN.com.
At a historic race like Monza, the Tifosi come out in full force. There is no pride quite like Ferrari pride, and it was a Sunday to remember for both the team and the fans. Leclerc even stated that his second win at the Italian race was just as memorable as the first one. If there is anyone more loyal than the Tifosi, it would be the Monegasque driver himself.
While it may not be Ferrari’s best season, significant steps are being taken to not only showcase the talent of their drivers but the team as a whole. The team is currently third in the constructor standings, and there are multiple opportunities for them to move up in the rankings before the season is over.
The strategy seemed to be the main component in clinching the win, as McLaren’s decisions may have cost them a 1-2 finish. Even after securing the top two spots in qualifying, the papaya team failed to translate their results into success during the race.
With Lando Norris being the top contender to battle Max Verstappen for the championship title, the logical option would be prioritizing him above his teammate to fight for the win. McLaren opted to allow the two papaya drivers to fight on track, however. It may have showcased a fun battle for fans, but it sacrificed major points for both the drivers and constructors' championships in the process.
Norris and Piastri failed to convert their 1-2 qualifying positions in the race, but they did manage to secure podium spots. Courtesy of McLaren.com.
Oscar Piastri caught backlash from fans after his overtake on his teammate during the first lap. The Australian driver made a risky move on the outside of the Roggia Chicane, putting him ahead of Norris. Despite this thrilling execution, it wasn’t enough for Piastri to obtain his second win due to Ferrari’s one-stop strategy.
McLaren wasn’t the only one to fall short during the race weekend, as the Dutch anthem failed to play for another weekend during the 2024 season. Max Verstappen was unable to secure a top-three spot in qualifying or a podium during the race.
The three-time world champion is still in the driver’s championship lead, but the gap to Norris is getting smaller as the season nears its end. If Verstappen and Red Bull fail to make significant progress in the next few races, his title could be in jeopardy.
Verstappen, pictured with teammate Sergio Perez after placing sixth and eighth at the Italian Grand Prix. Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images.
Formula 1 returns September 13-15 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Baku is one of eight street circuits on the schedule this year and is known to be a fairly difficult track. There is no doubt that it will feature some incredible action to look forward to in the coming weeks.
Sergio Perez was last year’s winner in Baku, but with his recent results, there is a good chance a different driver will take the top step. The main questions for the race weekend will be if Ferrari can start a winning streak or if McLaren will be able to bounce back for more points.
Edited by Reese Dlabach
Comments