01/09/2024
NEWS STORY
Your editor first visited the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in 1972 having been won over by it in the 1966 movie Grand Prix.
Sadly, 1972 was when the emasculation of the classic track began, then again retaining the previous superfast layout would not only have seen lap speeds increase to more than 180 mph but would no doubt have added to the already woeful tally of tragedies at the Italian track.
Such was my love of the circuit and its surroundings that there were many more visits, not least in 1998 when I got married at the nearby Villa Reale.
In the days before the wedding I presented a petition to the mayor of Monza, calling for the protection of the legendary banked section which was in danger of being demolished.
You can read more about this here (link), but for those that haven't been there, even in these days of pounding music and 'celebrities' there remains something very special about the Monza event, something that the likes of Las Vegas and Miami, not to mention Qatar and Jeddah, can only dream of... passion.
Why else do you think the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger and Bernie Ecclestone are there, it's because Monza has its own unique vibe, and long may it continue.
Yes, it is now essentially a point and squirt track, not nearly as demanding as some of the newer circuits, but it still demands respect and bravery.
Today's race will likely be over in 75 minutes such is the sheer speed of the event, and most likely the only real thrills will take place over the course of the first lap, but one lives in hope.
Taking a leaf out of Mercedes and Toto Wolff's underdog book, McLaren and Lando Norris say they fear a comeback from Max Verstappen today, no doubt the Dutchman wishes it were possible, but it isn't. Without sounding too dramatic, based on last week's race at Zandvoort and what we have seen thus far this weekend Red Bull is on the ropes, and needs to come up with a solution before all is lost.
Yes, it can adopt Muhammad Ali's old 'rope a dope' tactic to 'protect' its title hopes but this will only work for so long, after all the great man had to have a knockout punch in reserve for when his opponent got tired.
It was annoying on Saturday to hear suggestions that McLaren issue team orders from the start, for while Oscar Piastri is 116 points down on Verstappen - as opposed to Norris' deficit of 70 - it is not impossible that the youngster could significantly close the gap also.
Of course, Norris could settle things by not fluffing his start today and disappearing into the distance, but, as it stands, we see no need for Piastri to merely roll over, at least not yet.
The Ferraris have looked strong but in all honesty not strong enough, certainly for the win, indeed Mercedes appears to have the edge.
For Red Bull and Max it will be another case of damage limitation, though it is entirely possible that the damage this afternoon - considering the pace of the Ferraris and Mercedes - will be extreme.
As was the case in John Frankenheimer's movie, slipstreaming remains a major factor at Monza - which begs the question will the forthcoming F1 movie feature similar 'live' commentaries from the drivers during races as they explain the different challenges of each track to potential new fans.
Albon and Hulkenberg are in with a chance of some decent point as are Alonso and Ricciardo, especially if there is any silliness - which there often is - on the opening lap, either at the first chicane or the second.
Pirelli believes that graining could be a factor, which could open the door to a possible two-stop strategy, which is why, apart from ensuring they have an additional option in the event of a Safety Car, all the drivers, with the exception of Tsunoda, have chosen to keep two sets of hards for the race.
On paper, the very long pitlane usually means that a one-stop is almost obligatory, so a strategy based on using one set of the mediums and one of the hards, stopping between laps 20 and 26 is the quickest. Although the opposite usage would work for those thinking of running a longer first stint, stopping between laps 26 and 32.
This year however, a two-stop cannot be ruled out, running one set of mediums and two of hards, however we think everyone will try and run a one-stop, trying to manage the tyres especially in the opening laps of each stint to avoid stressing them too much, while aware they have a Plan B up their sleeve thanks to having two sets of hard.
The pitlane opens and Hulkenberg is first out, followed by his teammate Magnussen, Ricciardo, Ocon, Tsunoda and Verstappen.
Last to take their places are Hamilton and Colapinto, who is about to contest his first Grand Prix.
Thankfully, in the wake of Martin Brundle's desperate attempt to mention as many Oasis song titles as possible (Why?), Zak Brown says that the McLaren drivers are free to race.
Air temperature is 34 degrees C, while the track temperature is 54 degrees. Despite the bright sunshine, Race Control warns of a 40% chance of rain.
All are starting on mediums bar Verstappen, Perez, Ocon, Tsunoda, Stroll and Bottas. Fresh rubber for all bar Alonso (as ever), Tsunoda, Stroll, Bottas and Zhou.
Ahead of the formation lap the timing screen go berserk, showing Norris already having a lead of over Piastri with Zhou 154s behind.
The grid forms, albeit very, very slowly.
They're away! Piastri has a great start but so does his teammate. As they head into the first chicane, Piastri pulls to his left to cover the leading McLaren, and with nowhere to go Russell has to take avoiding action and consequently misses the chicane and rejoins in seventh.
However, while it looks as though Piastri supporting his teammate on the run to the second chicane he is all over Norris' backside. Indeed, as they enter the chicane they are side-by-side, the Australian edging ahead of the Briton.
As they exit the chicane, a clearly stunned Norris, who is struggling to keep his car pointing in the right direction, is caught off guard by Leclerc and thereby slips to third.
Further back Hulkenberg has had a dreadful start having had a moment with Ricciardo. "He tried to push me into the gravel," complains the German.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Albon and Alonso. Russell appears to have front wing damage as something is flapping around on the right-front of his car.
"George has a lot of damage," reports Perez, "it's dangerous."
On Lap 3, as Norris posts a new fastest lap (25.110), he has Leclerc hard on his heels.
Hulkenberg pits at the end of Lap 5 for a new front wing, having had a moment with the other RB, rejoining in last position.
Piastri essentially advised that with no graining it will be a one-stopper.
"Keep it there for the moment," Verstappen is told, "let them push." The Dutchman remains 6th, 1.5s down on Hamilton.
Tsunoda pits following his clash with Hulkenberg, sidepod damage meaning his race is over.
Hulkenberg is given a 10s time penalty for the Tsunoda incident, while Ricciardo has been handed a 5s penalty for forcing the German off track earlier.
Piastri posts a new fastest lap (24.077) as he builds a 1.3s lead, while Perez finally nails Russell for 7th.
As Gasly pits, Magnussen passes Ricciardo for 11th.
"Box, box!" Russell is told on Lap 11 as Piastri is asked his opinion on Plan A or B.
Russell duly pits, rejoining in 16th as Ricciardo also stops.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Monza here.
Alonso pits at the end of Lap 12, switching to the hards he rejoins in 15th, ahead of Russell.
"Suggest we do box to overtake Leclerc," Norris is told. He immediately dives into the pits, such is his haste he locks up and clouts a bollard. He rejoins in 9th, subsequently overtaking Ocon for 8th.
As Magnussen pits, Alonso goes quickest in the first sector.
Leclerc and Hamilton both pit next time around, they rejoin in 7th (Leclerc) and 10th (Hamilton) behind Norris who is now 6th.
Zhou pits.
This promotes Verstappen to third, 3.7s down on Sainz.
Piastri pits at the end of Lap 16, rejoining in 4th, just ahead of Albon.
"Why did we pit if we are undercut," asks Leclerc.
Ricciardo is under investigation for failing to serve his penalty correctly.
"It's likely we will have to cover for the other car," Norris is told. "Papaya rules," Will Joseph adds cryptically."
Hmmm.
Ricciardo is given anther 10s penalty as replay shows one of his mechanics touching the RB to steady it earlier.
Leclerc posts a new fastest lap (23.875) as teammate Sainz pits.
After 19 laps (of 53), Verstappen leads Perez by 1.9s, with Piastri a further 7.6s behind.
Norris is fourth, ahead of Leclerc as a result of that undercut.
"You can pick up the pace Max!"
Gasly and Magnussen have been noted for causing a collision as Norris posts a new fastest lap (23.753).
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 22, rejoining in seventh following a poor stop, still on hards which means a two-stopper.
"You are allowed to race Oscar," Norris is told. "Papaya rules."
As Perez pits, handing the lead back to Piastri, the Australian posts a new fastest lap (23.660). However, Norris responds with a 23.851.
Another fastest lap from Piastri as he maintains a 1.7s lead.
Magnussen is given a 10s penalty for causing a collision.
Ass he continues to up his pace, Piastri builds a 2.2s lead over his teammate who has Leclerc just 1.5s behind.
After 27 laps, Ocon and Bottas appear to be the only drivers on a one-stop strategy.
Battling with Bottas and Ricciardo for 13th, the Frenchman gets it all wrong at the second chicane and loses out to both.
Told the pace of the front runners, an incredulous Hamilton asks: "Are they not dropping off?"
2.5s down on his teammate, Norris posts a 23.300 but Piastri responds with a 23.066.
Colapinto makes a nice move on Gasly for 15th.
"Norris is starting to struggle," Leclerc is told as Russell makes a move on Perez at the first chicane. The Briton gets it wrong and has to pass the position back.
Meanwhile, Norris makes a mistake at the second chicane which allows Leclerc to close right on to his tail. The crowd cheers.
"What is he doing," askes Perez, "he gives me the position and then he race me?"
Norris pits at the end of Lap 32, the Briton rejoining in 5th, but is immediately overtaken by Verstappen.
Another mistake from Russell, once again at the second chicane.
"I don't know why I'm killing my front-left so much," says Norris.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 33, rejoining in 11th after a slow stop. Bottas also pits.
Lap 34 sees a new fastest lap from Norris (22.837) who is 28s down on his teammate, and 1.9s down on title rival Verstappen.
Albon having a great scrap with Magnussen for ninth, the Dane, of course, has that 10s penalty.
Perez and Alonso both pit at the end of Lap 35, rejoining in 9th (the Mexican) and 14th.
Wanting his team to advise him what to do about Magnussen, Albon queries Williams lack of decisiveness.
A mistake by Albon solves his problem with Magnussen as he loses out to Perez and Russell in quick succession.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 37 as Norris is asked if he can make it to the end on his current tyres - in other words a one-stopper. "I don't think so," he admits. "The front left is pretty dead."
Elsewhere, Russell finally passes Perez, the Mexican not making things at all easy for the Mercedes driver.
Piastri pits at the end of Lap 38, rejoining in third, 1.7s ahead of Verstappen who leads Norris. It was a slow stop for the Australian.
Norris makes a move on Verstappen at the first chicane, but the world champion slams the door firmly shut.
As Piastri posts a new fastest lap (22.264), Norris passes Verstappen on the pit straight to claim fourth, 4.2s down on the other McLaren.
After 40 laps, Leclerc heads a Ferrari 1-2, but will the Maranello outfit risk a two-stopper. The Monegasque has a 15.3s advantage over Piastri, along with the comfort cushion of Sainz.
"The Ferraris are going to try one, they think it's difficult, but they're going to try," Norris is told. "It's qualifying now, just drive fast."
From out of nowhere, Verstappen produces a new fastest lap (21.745), despite being 13s down on Hamilton.
Piastri is 0.653s down on Sainz who is 11.1s down on the other Ferrari.
"My front-left is nearly gone," warns Sainz, "but I think we'll try."
As Piastri passes the Ferrari on the run to Ascari, Hulkenberg complains of bouncing on the run to the Parabolica.
After 45 laps, Piastri is 11.3s down on race leader Leclerc, while Norris is 2s down on Sainz.
"Leave me alone with this," says Leclerc, "if I don't do things you ask, don't tell me ten times."
Norris closes on Sainz, passing the Ferrari on the run to the first chicane at the start of Lap 48.
Out front, Leclerc leads Piastri by 8s, the Australian lapping just under a second quicker.
"Can everyone in the background please stay awake," asks Verstappen, clearly worried about Russell behind, "I know it's a *** position but it's important."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Monza here.
As Piastri closes on Leclerc all around the track the crowd cheers on the Ferrari driver. After 50 laps the gap is down to 6.5s.
As he begins the final lap, Leclerc is 3.9s ahead, with Norris a further 3.9s behind.
Further back, Alonso is all over Albon as they battle for the final point.
Leclerc wins, the Monegasque claiming a famous, popular victory.
Piastri takes second ahead of his teammate, who, for the second successive weekend, claims fastest lap on the final lap.
Even if you are not a Ferrari fan, being at Monza for a home win is something very special, and one cannot help but get caught up in it.
Despite the rules the tifosi invades the track, while Leclerc makes an emotional speech to his crew.
The post-mortem at McLaren is going to be interesting, but as we said earlier we feel it is still too early to be using team orders. Indeed, other than the first lap, McLaren will need to look at its strategy.
For the second time today Fratelli d'Italia will ring out over the circuit.
"Joshua secures P5, and Sonny fights through for P8," tweets the non-existent Expensify APX-GP. "Not the podium, but every point counts. We keep pushing."
Well the reality was much more fun and as F1 leaves Europe sets us up for a thrilling finale.
A brave, brave gamble from Ferrari, while Mercedes clearly didn't have the pace, no matter what Russell might think about that first lap incident.
As for Red Bull, with Verstappen finishing sixth and Perez eighth, it is time to get off the ropes and fight.
Asked if that first lap move caught him bu surprise, Norris replies: "Of course... because he got past. But Ferrari drove a better race today so hats off to them.
"We considered a one-stop the whole race but it was impossible with our graining. I'm just disappointed. Ferrari did a better job, so hats off to them."
"Yeah, it hurts," says Piastri, "I'm not going to lie it hurts a lot.
"I did a lot of things right today," he adds, "there were question marks on the strategy. Doing a one-stop looked like a risky call, and in the end it was right.
"Happy with the race, the pace I achieved but when you finish second it hurts.
"Today we unfortunately got it a bit wrong, we had everything to lose from being in the lead. Charles could try something different as he'd finish third either way. It's painful."
"It's an incredible feeling," beams Leclerc, "actually I thought that the first time would feel like this and the second time wouldn't feel as special. But my God the emotions in the last few laps... Monaco and Monza are the two races I want to win every year and I've managed to win them this year. It is so, so special.
"The tifosi were incredible," he grins, "mamma mia!
"I think our package was working well for Monza, but whether it works for the rest of the season... McLaren are still the favourites, but we have definitely moved a step closer. Grazie mille!"
In the cool down room ahead of the podium ceremony, as Leclerc and Piastri talk tyres, Norris is deep in thought, McLaren - not for the first time - appearing to have a situation to handle before it gets out of control.
Enough of the negativity however, let's focus on the fact that we had an entertaining race, a different result and none of that faux Hollywood BS certain people are trying to infect our sport with.