Ferrari fans believed in it from the start and who knows, maybe their strength was used to push Charles Leclerc in the last complex laps of a crazy Monza GP, spent hoping that the tyres would not give out just one step away from the dream. In the end, everything went well and the risky one-stop strategy paid off, giving the Monegasque his second win on the Brianza track. The one-two was missing, ruined less than ten laps from the checkered flag due to Carlos Sainz’s tyres, eaten up in a few corners by the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, overtaken by his teammate on the first lap. The two MCL38s, star of the initial part of the race, suffered from the choice to make a double pit stop. A sensational mistake that came just when Max Verstappen, now within reach, proved to be in difficulty and fallible, finishing only sixth.
Fifth of the day was Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes, while the other W15 of George Russell had to settle for seventh place due to a mistake at the start when he risked hitting Norris. The British driver therefore has little to be happy about, if it weren’t for the thrilling battle, won, with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Ninth was the Williams of Alex Albon, ahead of the Haas of Kevin Magnussen who, following a penalty, will not be able to start the Baku GP.
“Fantastic, it’s an incredible feeling. I thought the first time in the Temple of Speed was unique, but the second was no less. The last few kilometres were crazy. Monaco and Monza are really special for me. The package we had worked well, but McLaren remains the favourite for the future. In Baku we did well in pace. Let’s hope we can repeat that,” commented the winner.
“It’s a result that hurts. Considering my position, making a stop would have been risky, but it was the right move. The pace was good except for the graining in front, so second place hurts. In hindsight, we should have tried. We all made mistakes. Compared to the Prancing Horse, we had everything to lose,” commented the Australian.
“I was taken by surprise by Oscar’s overtaking, but if I had braked we would have crashed. The Reds simply did a better job. The one-stop strategy would have been impossible because of the graining. It’s hard to accept. I’m disappointed. Congratulations to my team mate who can fight for the title,” the Bristol rider lashed out.
