Formula 1 made their way back to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza this weekend, the end of a triple header before Singapore.
Qualifying saw Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc (24), take pole position for the 306.72km race, his teammate third – but handed a grid penalty due to new components.
The monegasque matched Michael Schumacher’s 8 poles in one season at Ferrari record set in 2004; definitely a special stat for the young driver’s career.
A jam packed attendance from tifosi meant a lot of pressure for Scuderia Ferrari and Leclerc to perform over 53 laps with perfected strategies and pit-stops.
An F1 race debut came at the last minute for Dutchman Nyck De Vries (27) as he replaced Alex Albon (26) who was suffering from appendicitis Saturday morning, leaving the Mercedes-AMG reserve driver to complete qualifying. An exciting walk in as the Formula E champion took the wheel in a positive result.
The 5.793km long circuit, two DRS detection zones in turn 7 and into turn one. An exciting track for McLaren fans and a heavy competitive race between Max Verstappen (24) and Lewis Hamilton (37) in 2021. However this year, it was unknown who will come out on top with last years world champion in seventh, but known to charge to the front.
While Leclerc was aiming for a 2019 replay, excitement geared up for the Williams step in and the strong starting point for both McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo (33) and Lando Norris (22).
Before the national anthem, the Italian Grand Prix grid and fans shed a minute of silence for her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II, aged 96, who passed earlier in the week. A touching and respectful tribute.
Ricciardo got a stellar start, sticking with the two leaders, gaining position over Pierre Gasly (26) as Verstappen charged into the top four, whilst Norris’ start was sluggish. The Dutchman quickly caught up with little effort; his straight line speed dominating within just two laps.
Verstappen charged through the pack within 5 laps, covering grounds lost from a grid penalty that dropped him down to seventh. A DRS train built behind Ricciardo, who held enough pace to stay ahead of Frenchman Gasly.
Much like Verstappen, Carlos Sainz (28) charged through the pack within the first ten laps, only making further moves as the race progressed. Sergio Perez complaining of flames on the right front tyre after a pitstop on lap 7.
Quickly after, Sebastian Vettel (35) stopped in sector two with an energy recovery system failure, forcing the yellows to appear on lap 12. Just as yellow flags alert the pack, Sainz made a move on Gasly before slowing down on approach. A Virtual Safety Car made an appearance quickly whilst marshals worked to clear the Aston Martin.
During the first Virtual Safety Car, Scuderia Ferrari aimed for a double stack. Leclerc made his way in taking mediums, Sainz not able to take a free stop as the green flag appeared on pit exit.
Gasly and Ricciardo battled for the entire race, DRS trains building, both with enough straight-line speed, but the move never on. Lap 28 a radio grabbed ears, McLaren asking Ricciardo to hold up the frenchman. The team wanting to undercut both Norris’ teammate and the lead Scuderia Alpha Tauri driver.
Fernando Alonso (41) comes into the pits on lap 32 remaining stationary. DNF turns out to be his result in Monza, the team detecting a suspected water pressure issue arise, making the call to stop.
The British/Belgian driver took his stop on lap 36, the stop a sluggish 5.1s. The undercut for Norris didn’t work as planned, Hamilton and Gasly overtaking him quickly – teammate remained in P6. However two more laps, fresher tyres, Norris took the three positions, chasing down the drivers ahead.
The third retirement of the race was with Lance Stroll (23), meaning both Aston Martin’s were out. Lap 41 saw the Canadian come into the pits, coming to a complete stop, much like Alonso.
Rookie, Nyck De Vries battled Zhou Guanyu (23) for the points, P8-P10. De Vries impressing the paddock completely during his F1 debut, Toto Wolff speaking very highly of the young Dutchman.
Tyre compound mainly saw mediums the basic choice, softs for front runners to build a gap, hards proving to be the one-stop tyre to be on. However, this saw a change on lap 47.
Ricciardo came to a stop in sector 2, yellows deployed immediately. The Australian was set for points, but suffered a presumed engine failure – later confirmed as an oil leak. A tough weekend after a tough few months for DR.
The race was predicted to be a one-stop ended up with most teams taking between one and two, Leclerc sneaking two free stops during the VSC appearances. Both Verstappen and Leclerc taking three stops to one up or match another.
The pounce was on for the final six laps, the Safety Car taking a while to pick up the race leader; Verstappen. Cars were allowed to un-lap in the meantime, two lapped cars remaining between the two front runners of the race.
De Vries complained via radio that his brake pedal was long, which would have been considerably unsettling. The safety car allowing his Williams car time to cool off.
This brought back decisions from the finale last year in Abu Dhabi – Lewis Hamilton making his feelings clear. Commentators wondering why the race hadn’t been red flagged as marshals struggled to get the #3 McLaren moving – which was allegedly stuck in gear. However lap 50 saw removal get on the way.
The safety car led the race all the way to the finish line meaning Verstappen took the win over Leclerc, tifosi unimpressed with the ending, commentators confused.
Max Verstapen came on the radio on the cool down lap, labelling it ‘lovely’ with a laugh. The relaxed Dutchman a welcome change from last years stressed character.
Tifosi booed during post race interviews, the gesture overwhelming for drivers. Obviously not the end to a race that motorsport fans and drivers want to endure, however Hamilton suggesting the rule book should be followed – with regards about last years finale.
Another Dutchman made tidal waves, being handed a well-deserved driver of the day and making history on debut – points in his first race.
Speculation heightening around the left-over vacant seats for 2023 and whether the Formula E world champion would be the next addition to the paddock after a stunning performance. Although shortly after the race, he reported his shoulders were dead, asking for some help out of the car.
Monza did not disappoint, action every which way, putting on a spectacular show for spectators. What proves to be eventful every year lived up to expectations, heartbreak for some in the field.
The championship gap now 116 points between Verstappen and Leclerc, meaning that after Singapore, the reigning world champion could take his second title immediately afterwards. – History in the making.
Until next time,
Tayla Talks
Tayla Talks 
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