Ferrari can finally celebrate a rewarding race at Monza, with Sainz’s podium and Leclerc’s P4. Let’s analyze their race week in Italy.
Ferrari has always been the star of every Italian Grand Prix, even in difficult seasons like this year. The team has the undoubted loyalty of Tifosi all around the world, but especially in Monza where the atmosphere is intense. The drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz managed to give them something to celebrate and to be happy about with a promising weekend since FP1.
All eyes on the red cars on Friday.
During all the FP sessions at Monza, the Ferrari number 55 dominated the Autodromo. Since the beginning, he was able to reach the Red Bulls and keep his teammate behind. The difference with the car 16 was in the setup, more aerodynamic and with less fuel for Sainz. At the end of FP1, Max Verstappen was (as always) at the front, but the Spaniard showed a good pace and was able to close the session in P2. Sergio Perez was third, with Charles Leclerc behind him in P4. Both drivers of the Cavallino, and all the drivers on the track, suffered some bottoming and porpoising. This was due to the research of the best aerodynamic solution for the car, as a result the one-seat is closer to the ground and the bouncing is almost inevitable.
Sainz’s Ferrari was at the front at the end of FP2 when he closed his run with 1’21″355. Sainz and Leclerc tried the soft and the medium compounds, trying to get as much data as possible for qualifying sessions. The simulations gave good results, showing a good balance for the red cars, even though Leclerc closed the FP2 in 6th position. He was always quite close to his teammate, but he couldn’t get a better time after the red flag caused by Perez. Both Ferraris had a new engine, a new turbo and a new exhaust system. This is the fourth and last Power Unit for Ferrari, following the new regulations. If they changed it again, a penalty will be applied.
Carlos Sainz’s pole ignites Tifosis’ hearts.
On Saturday, Charles Leclerc said during interviews that Sainz’s setup was applied to his car as well. He used the third free practice session to get used to the new setup before the Quali of that evening. The drivers had used soft tyres and, apparently, they had different fuel loads. Carlos Sainz was, once again, in the front row (1’20″912) with a gap of +0″086 from Max Verstappen. However, he received a black and white flag for causing a collision with Oscar Piastri at the first Variante. Charles Leclerc was in P4, half a second away from the Spaniard. After the good pace showed by the Ferraris during free practice, Tifosi in Monza and at home were all hoping for some miracle. And their expectation was satisfied.
In Q3, the fight for pole position was very tight between the Ferrari boys and Max Verstappen. The Monégasque was on pole with a time of 1’20″361, but it only last few seconds. Max Verstappen closes his lap at 1’20″307, but then Sainz ends in P1 with a 1’20″294 time. Tifosi in red showed their love for the pole man and Charles Leclerc, 3rd on the starting grid.
Carlos Sainz is the third non Red Bull driver to take pole this year, together with Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The pole in Monza was the fourth of his career in F1 and the third for Ferrari this year. The Scuderia extends it’s record of the pole position at the Italian Grand Prix (23) and in the history of the motorsport (245). Sainz is also the first Spanish driver to start on pole at the Italian GP since Fernando Alonso in 2010.
"Pole position, pole position, pole position!!!"
Might want to turn your sound on for this one 😃#ItalianGP @ScuderiaFerrari (🗣️ @SkySportF1) pic.twitter.com/gxif3WSPFR
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 5, 2023
Race day at home.
The race started 20 minutes late due to the car of Yuki Tsunoda going out at the Parabolica during the formation lap. Carlos Sainz had a good start, keeping his position from Max Verstappen. Behind him, Charles Leclerc is 3rd, but he got closer to the two times World Champion without being able to attack him. Sainz led the Italian Grand Prix for 15 laps against the Dutchman. He is the only non-Red Bull driver to have led that much in the 2023 season.
At lap 16, the Spaniard had a wheel lock-up, which allowed Verstappen to attack him. The two of them went wheel-to-wheel, but the Red Bull driver overtook the Ferrari at the Variante della Roggia. Sainz went for a pit stop and changed from medium to hard tyres, followed by Leclerc. After the stops, Sergio Perez overtook Leclerc and started chasing the other Ferrari. Yet, the Monégasque was still close to the car 11.
Sainz had to defend against Perez, but eventually had to give him the position at lap 41. But his fight for the podium didn’t stop there. At lap 46, he was attacked by Charles Leclerc as well. The two Rosse started to race each other, giving an amazing show to the Monza crowd. The Monégasque overtook Sainz, but the 55 took back his third place. At one lap away from the finish line, the two Ferrari were still in the battle for 3rd place. Leclerc had a lock-up and Sainz could breathe again.
Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix, with Perez’ Red Bull on the second place. Carlos Sainz was on the podium before his home crowd.
This was his first podium this season, the first one for Ferrari in Monza, and he celebrated it with the marea rossa.
This. Was. INSANE! 🤯 Grazie mille a tutti! 🫶#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/xnczGAEuvz
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) September 3, 2023
