Daily News 19

Tag: Italian Grand Prix

  • Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Antonelli Triumphs at Monza as Ferrari Stumbles in Front of Record Crowd

    Whether you embrace Formula 1’s 2026 regulations and the resulting yo-yo racing dynamic or not, the Italian Grand Prix delivered no shortage of talking points. In a stunning reversal of expectations, championship favorite Kimi Antonelli produced a comeback drive for the ages — earning the adulation of the Ferrari tifosi — while the Scuderia itself faltered badly on home soil.

    Antonelli Claims Historic Monza Victory

    Sunday unfolded as a day of conflicting emotions for the passionate Italian supporters. They arrived in record numbers, setting a new attendance benchmark at the Temple of Speed to cheer on Ferrari, only to witness their national team deliver a deeply disappointing performance.

    Any tears shed after Charles Leclerc’s violent accident on lap 2 quickly turned to joy and pride when Antonelli secured a maiden Italian Grand Prix victory — the first by an Italian driver at the country’s home race since 1966. Post-race broadcasts captured a telling image: scarlet-clad Ferrari fans holding an Italian flag adorned with Antonelli’s name, signaling a swift pivot from revering their national institution to celebrating a new homegrown hero.

    Antonelli’s masterclass earned him the ultimate reward — a hero’s welcome on Monza’s historic home straight as he stood atop the most glorious podium in Formula 1. In a twist on the Michael Schumacher era, the German and Italian national anthems played in reverse order. With the Monza box checked, the world championship surely beckons next.

    Russell Concedes Psychological Blow

    Antonelli’s comeback was as spectacular for him as it was humbling for George Russell, who effectively waved the white flag when championship odds were mentioned after the race. Russell drove a near-flawless weekend; were it not for Max Verstappen’s qualifying antics, the Mercedes driver would have started from pole position. The stark reality, however, is that he appears to have met his match in his younger teammate — and merely matching Antonelli may no longer suffice.

    “Kimi is deserving to be in control of it,” Russell said. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is.”

    Much can change across the remaining ten races, but if Antonelli wasn’t already in cruise control, Monza delivered a decisive psychological hammer blow.

    Verstappen Salvages Podium Against Odds

    Leave it to Max Verstappen to rescue a podium from a race he had little right to contend, battling with one hand tied behind his back against the superior energy deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars. How Verstappen sustained a fight with Russell for as long as he did remains something of a mystery.

    Securing third place — ahead of both McLarens and despite clear issues with the RB22’s rear axle — represented the best possible damage limitation. For a driver who has openly criticized the battery-led yo-yo racing format, a part of him must have relented the on-track jousting.

    Ferrari’s Home Race Nightmare

    Ferrari arrived at its home round armed with a fresh aerodynamic package designed for Monza’s high-speed demands, plus a second permitted power unit upgrade believed to have reduced its horsepower deficit by 30–40%. Friday practice offered encouragement, but when the dials were turned to maximum, the gains proved insufficient — though a two-tenths qualifying gap on a power-hungry circuit suggested the progress was genuine.

    For a team targeting improved race-weekend execution, the result was another bruising episode with Leclerc at the center. After being challenged by teammate Lewis Hamilton on the inside of Turn 1 at the start — which became the outside for Turn 2 — Leclerc drifted toward the exit, forcing Hamilton off track. Leclerc insisted he tried to “make Turn 2 as tight as I possibly could,” yet not tightly enough to leave Hamilton racing room, dropping the Briton to ninth. Whether a simple racing incident or evidence of Leclerc racing his teammate harder than anyone else remains a question only he can answer. His afternoon ended abruptly moments later when he lost control at Parabolica and slammed hard into the barriers on lap 2.

    Ferrari was never likely to defeat the Mercedes-powered cars on home turf — Hamilton himself was powerless to match the frontrunners — but the tifosi surely expected better than a sixth-place finish and a DNF.

    Alpine Leads Midfield Despite Gasly’s Fade

    Following a sensational maiden pole on Saturday, Pierre Gasly could not maintain the pace on Sunday despite a spirited defense against Russell at the start. Dropping from first to seventh appears underwhelming in isolation, yet Alpine topped the midfield — a result the team would have gladly accepted pre-weekend.

    Franco Colapinto was left in tears after a bizarre error at the first Lesmo cost him a chance to challenge Gasly, though eighth place was likely his realistic ceiling. Regardless, Alpine departs Monza with a significant morale boost as it fights to reclaim fifth place in the constructors’ standings amid pressure from Racing Bulls.

    Aston Martin–Honda Alliance Exposed at Monza

    Aston Martin may have made significant strides in Hungary, but Honda’s in-season development has been modest at best, leaving the Silverstone-based squad thoroughly exposed at Monza — even falling behind Cadillac. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll reached the checkered flag: Alonso retired with suspected car damage, while Stroll succumbed to a hydraulic failure. For this partnership, 2027 cannot arrive soon enough.

  • Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the opening-lap clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix was “not good for the team” following a disappointing weekend for the Scuderia at Monza.

    First-lap incident drops Hamilton to tenth

    Leclerc defended aggressively against his teammate on lap one after both Ferraris started from the second row. The Monegasque driver refused to yield, pushing Hamilton wide at the exit of Turn 2 and forcing the seven-time champion into the gravel. Hamilton plummeted to 10th place as a result.

    Vasseur: ‘Outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team’

    Addressing the media on Sunday night, Vasseur kept his initial remarks brief.

    “I spoke to Lewis for two seconds and not at all with Charles,” Vasseur said when asked about the incident during his media session on Sunday night. “We’ll have time to discuss that. I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you. For sure, the outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team, if it’s the question.”

    Team orders debate: too early before Monza

    Ferrari has resisted imposing team orders this season despite external pressure to support Hamilton, who has been the quicker Ferrari driver relative to the Mercedes pair. Vasseur maintained that such a move would have been premature before the Italian round, though he signaled the stance could shift.

    “Now, to see if we [need to] have a team order or whatever, I think that the good comparison that I made was that last year,” he said. “Piastri was leading McLaren at this stage of the season and if McLaren put everything on Piastri, Max Verstappen would have been champion.

    “For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision, but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza. Now I will have time to discuss with the guys.

    “For a team, it’s never good to lose points. This is clear. Now, basically at the beginning of the season, I think every single team principal in the world would love to let them race. To freeze positions when you are the team principal, don’t imagine that it’s an easy choice. You do it for the team, you do it for the results at the end, but it’s never an easy call.

    “By definition, I would love to let them race all the weekend. Now, by reason, you have to take a decision at one stage. Each team is different. We will have to take a decision when we’ll decide.”

    Drivers offer contrasting views on the clash

    Leclerc, who later retired after crashing at the Parabolica, admitted the incident went too far. “we went too far”, he said.

    Hamilton rejected the collective framing when Leclerc’s comment was put to him.

    “I was ahead in Turn 2, by the apex, I was ahead. There was no we in it.”

    Championship implications

    Following Kimi Antonelli’s victory at Monza, Hamilton now trails the Italian driver by 76 points in the drivers’ championship. In the constructors’ standings, Ferrari sits 122 points behind Mercedes.

  • Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Escapes Penalty After Monza Grid Position Investigation

    Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda has avoided punishment following a stewards’ investigation into his grid positioning during an early restart at the Italian Grand Prix. The Japanese driver retained his tenth-place finish and first point of the season after officials accepted the team’s explanation that he did not gain an advantage.

    Incident During Lap 6 Restart

    The incident occurred during a lap 6 restart triggered by a red flag for Charles Leclerc’s accident on lap 2. As Tsunoda took up 14th position on the grid, race control noted he appeared to park outside his designated grid box. Officials responded by adding an extra formation lap, and the stewards summoned Tsunoda and team representatives after the race for an alleged breach of Article B5.9.4 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations regarding start procedure infringement.

    The investigation put Tsunoda’s hard-earned point at risk. The driver had returned to Racing Bulls this weekend, deputising for Liam Lawson after Lawson moved to Red Bull to replace the injured Isack Hadjar. Tsunoda had lost his regular seat at the end of the 2024 season and was serving as Red Bull’s reserve driver prior to this call-up.

    Tsunoda Explains Grid Confusion

    Tsunoda clarified that confusion over his starting position caused the unusual angle of his car on the grid.

    “I was a bit confused starting between 14th and 15th,” Tsunoda explained. “In my view, I didn’t really gain the position before the red flag. I thought I was 15th. But at least I parked behind the box, pretty far, so I don’t think I gained any advantage for that.”

    According to Tsunoda, he initially prepared to line up 15th on the left-hand side of the grid before realising he needed to cross the track to the right-hand side for 14th position.

    Stewards Accept Team Arguments

    The stewards agreed with Racing Bulls that Tsunoda was not in a false start position and that no other competitors were impacted. They determined the extra formation lap was a discretionary decision by the race director rather than a direct consequence of Tsunoda’s actions, noting the team had not been informed they were considered the cause.

    FIA Verdict Details

    The stewards’ full decision outlined several key findings verified through multiple camera angles:

    Car 22 approached the grid initially heading for the left hand side of the grid, then realising he was headed for the wrong grid position, the driver changed direction and positioned his car in the correct grid box and in the correct position within the grid box. This was verified by the Stewards with video from multiple camera angles.

    The Race Director, in evidence, stated that it was his call, based on the behaviour of the car on the approach to the grid box, to commence an extra formation lap. He stated he was not comfortable starting the race with the car in that position.

    The team representative presented five arguments:

    The team representative stated that:
    (i) The car was not in a “false start” position – referring to Article B5.1.1c of the F1 regulations, because no contact patch of the front tyres was outside the grid box lines (front and side)
    (ii) At the Drivers meeting, the Race Director advised that for the start, the track limits were the pit walls and in this case, even though the car was pointed to the right, it had at least 4 metres of space to move off from the start
    (iii) No other driver was impacted by the position of Car 22
    (iv) The driver of Car 22 was not the “cause” of the extra formation lap.
    (v) At no time was the team advised that Race Control considered Car 22 to be the cause of the extra formation lap.

    Regulatory Technicality Prevents Penalty

    The stewards analysed Article B5.9.4, which specifies that a driver who causes an extra formation lap must enter the pit lane at the end of that lap and start from there. A stop-and-go penalty applies only if the driver fails to comply with that requirement.

    Further, Article B5.9.4 goes on to specify that if a driver who causes the extra formation lap and is then able to start the extra formation lap, he must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and start from the Pit Lane. It is only then, if the driver fails to do this, that the mandatory penalty of a Stop and Go penalty is imposed.

    In other words, the penalty is for failing to come into the Pit Lane and start from there. The penalty is not for causing the extra formation lap, if indeed, he caused the extra formation lap in the first place.

    A critical issue emerged regarding driver awareness. The team cited precedents where extra formation laps were ordered for extraneous reasons such as photographer positioning.

    A critical issue emerges here, in that in order to comply with the requirement to enter and start from the Pit Lane, a driver would need to know that he was the cause of the extra formation lap. The team representative quoted situations where extra formation laps have been commenced due to extraneous circumstances such as the position of a photographer etc. In this case, no message was sent to the team or the driver, advising them that they were the cause of the extra formation lap.

    The team, based on the fact that the car was positioned within its starting grid box in compliance with the regulations, had, in our determination, no reason to instruct its driver to enter and start from the Pit Lane.

    No Further Action Taken

    The stewards concluded they could not impose a penalty because the team and driver were unaware they were considered the cause of the extra formation lap. They acknowledged the race director acted in good faith and suggested the FIA consider implementing a formal notification process for future incidents.

    Accordingly, irrespective of whether or not the driver directly caused the extra formation lap, the team and driver were unaware that they were being considered as the cause, therefore we determine that we are unable to impose a Stop and Go penalty in this case, and decide to take no further action.

    We note that the Race Director acted in good faith and out of an abundance of caution in ordering an extra formation lap. We further note that the FIA might wish to consider implementing a process to advise teams and drivers if they are considered to be the cause of an extra formation lap, so that they are then able to comply with the requirements of Article B5.9.4.

    Tsunoda’s tenth-place finish stands, securing his first championship point of the 2025 season in just his second grand prix appearance for Racing Bulls.

  • Max Verstappen: Red Bull Felt Like a “turtle” Against Mercedes at Monza

    Max Verstappen: Red Bull Felt Like a “turtle” Against Mercedes at Monza

    Max Verstappen secured a hard-fought third place at the Italian Grand Prix, reaching the iconic Monza podium a day after describing his Red Bull RB20 as fragile. Despite the strong result, the four-time world champion emphasized that the fundamental handling issues plaguing the car persisted throughout the race.

    Rear Axle Issues Continue to Hinder Performance

    Verstappen revealed that the rear-end instability he flagged on Saturday—referring to a phenomenon he calls “car degradation” where rear components deteriorate during a session—remained a significant factor on Sunday.

    “It was still there, nothing changed. It’s just not good. You struggle on the bumps, the kerbs, and especially in the low-speed,”

    the Dutchman said in the post-race press conference.

    “It’s still like the rear axle is just not very compliant. So, for sure, it was again not ideal today and costing us performance, but it is what it is.”

    Mercedes Power Unit Efficiency Proves Decisive

    Beyond the chassis issues, Verstappen identified a straight-line deficit caused by the Mercedes power unit’s superior energy deployment compared to the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit. This disadvantage was amplified at Monza’s high-speed layout.

    “I think it was quite clear during the race that we just can’t keep up with the deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars, and that is, of course, very tough on a track like Monza,”

    he said.

    The power deficit forced Verstappen into aggressive defensive driving, particularly at the second chicane where he repeatedly re-passed rivals around the outside after losing positions through Curva Grande.

    “[I didn’t enjoy it] a lot when people just drive by you like you’re a turtle,”

    he said.

    “But, yeah, just send it back around the outside. The car is good on the brakes, so that helps. I had good confidence to attack the braking zones. Two times I managed to do that in Turn 2 and 4. That is enjoyable, but at the same time also frustrating. I just try to maximise everything that I can.”

    Overtake Mode Masks Deficit Temporarily

    Verstappen noted that the additional energy deployment available when running within one second of the car ahead allowed him to stay with the leading Mercedes cars longer than expected. However, once the gap exceeded that threshold, his challenge faded.

    “Of course, with the overtake mode it looked quite promising, but as soon as I got in the lead, it was very hard to defend. And that has been my problem a bit throughout the whole race,”

    he said.

    “Even when we had the VSC, we boxed, had better tyres, I’m overtaking cars, but as soon as they can hang in that overtake mode, it’s just too powerful for us to actually defend that, even on better tyres. So, it took me a while even to clear the McLarens.”

    Positive Turnaround After Difficult Zandvoort Weekend

    Despite the ongoing limitations, Verstappen framed the Monza podium as a significant recovery following a crash at his home race in Zandvoort and a difficult Friday practice session in Italy.

    “For us to be on the podium after a very difficult weekend in Zandvoort, where the car was not really to my liking, [is positive],”

    he concluded.

    “We managed to have a strong turnaround from Friday to Saturday and the car was definitely in a better window. But we still have a few bits and areas that we know we need to be better at, plus, the obvious deployment on the straights.”

  • George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded that mounting a Formula 1 title comeback against team-mate Kimi Antonelli appears increasingly unlikely, acknowledging the Italian’s 66-point championship lead is a formidable obstacle with only ten grands prix remaining.

    Antonelli Turns Monza Deficit into Dominant Victory

    The situation shifted dramatically at Monza. Starting from second on the grid while Antonelli lined up 19th, Russell had a prime opportunity to slash a 59-point deficit. Instead, Antonelli produced a stunning recovery drive, vaulting to sixth following the lap-six restart before setting his sights on the race lead.

    After passing Russell on lap 19 and exchanging positions several times, the 20-year-old capitalized on a timely Virtual Safety Car period. Antonelli pitted for fresh medium tyres, rejoining behind Russell—who was struggling on worn hard compounds—and hunted him down to claim a seventh victory of the season. The win extended Antonelli’s title advantage to 66 points rather than minimizing the damage Russell had hoped for.

    Russell Accepts the Reality of the Points Gap

    That decisive swing appeared to move Russell into a stage of acceptance regarding the championship fight.

    “Yeah, Kimi’s definitely in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” Russell admitted. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend.

    “He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is. I’m just going to enjoy it from here on in and try and win as many races as possible.”

    Strategy Split and the VSC Turning Point

    Russell held no reservations about Mercedes’ decision to split tyre strategies. He started on mediums before switching to the hard compound for the bulk of the race, while Antonelli began on hards and moved to mediums under the red flag.

    Initially, the strategy looked favorable for Russell. Antonelli faced the prospect of nursing his mediums to the finish or attacking without a strategic safety net. However, the VSC intervention flipped the script, handing Antonelli a low-cost pit stop for fresh rubber at the perfect moment.

    “Well, [the hard] was definitely the best tyre to take to the end,” Russell said.

    “When I saw Max [Verstappen] and Kimi on the medium, I was feeling pretty good because I knew they were going to drop off more than me, so in that middle stage of the race, I was really happy with my position.

    “The VSC came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. It would have been very interesting to see how the race would have panned out if there was no VSC.”

    With the title race tilting heavily in Antonelli’s favor, Russell has shifted his focus to race-by-race performance and maximizing every remaining weekend.

  • Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit Naomi Schiff declared Kimi Antonelli a generational talent after the Mercedes driver produced a stunning comeback victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian started 19th on the grid at Monza but sliced through the field, leveraging a mid-race virtual safety car to fit fresh medium tyres before hunting down and passing his race-leading teammate George Russell to win in front of the passionate Tifosi.

    Schiff: Antonelli Proved ‘Generational Talent’ Status at Monza

    Analyzing the drive for Sky Sports, Schiff emphasized the magnitude of the performance on home soil.

    “Today, everybody is so impressed by what Kimi Antonelli has done. And obviously, to have a home hero like him who clearly proved today the generational talent that he is,”

    Schiff highlighted the composure Antonelli showed after his pit stop to close the gap to Russell and secure the win.

    “I mean, not only did he climb through the field, but then after that pitstop, he had to close up that gap again, and he just did it. And he took the victory here at home. Incredible.”

    The Decisive Moment: Hunting Down Russell

    Schiff detailed the critical phase of the race where Antonelli caught Russell, who was managing older hard tyres while also battling Max Verstappen early on.

    “It took him about six or seven laps before he was behind George. Obviously, George and Max were going at it as well in the beginning. And then I just had a feeling in my heart like, ‘Oh gosh, if George looks in the mirrors now and realises his team-mate is already behind him, oh my God, I would have sunk a little bit in that moment.’”

    Record-Breaking Start to Second Season

    The Monza triumph marks Antonelli’s seventh career Grand Prix victory in only his second season. He became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after securing back-to-back wins at the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix. He added four more victories before the summer break, establishing a commanding 66-point lead over teammate Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda Summoned for Restart Infringement, Risks Losing F1 Point

    Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda Summoned for Restart Infringement, Risks Losing F1 Point

    Yuki Tsunoda is under investigation by the FIA race stewards following a potential grid-box infringement during the restart at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.

    Restart Incident Triggers Stewards’ Inquiry

    The investigation centers on the lap 6 restart, which followed a red flag period triggered by Charles Leclerc’s accident on lap 2. As Tsunoda lined up for 14th position on the grid at Monza, he appeared to stop outside his designated grid box. Race control flagged the potential breach immediately, but the stewards deferred their decision until after the race.

    Tsunoda and his Racing Bulls team have been summoned to the stewards’ office for an alleged breach of Article B5.9.4 of the FIA F1 Regulations – Start Procedure infringement at 15:41.

    Strong Race Result Amid Uncertainty

    Despite the looming investigation, Tsunoda delivered a strong performance at Monza’s high-speed circuit. He secured his first championship point of the season with a tenth-place finish in just his second Grand Prix appearance of the campaign. His Racing Bulls teammate, Arvid Lindblad, finished eighth after an extended slipstreaming battle in the competitive midfield.

    Tsunoda Returns as Reserve Driver Stand-In

    Tsunoda lost his full-time race seat at the end of the previous season and moved into a Red Bull reserve driver role. He returned to his former team, Racing Bulls, to deputize for Liam Lawson. Lawson was promoted to Red Bull Racing to replace the injured Isack Hadjar.

    Driver’s Perspective on the Grid Incident

    Speaking after the race, Tsunoda offered his view on the restart procedure.

    “I was a bit confused starting between 14 and 15,” Tsunoda explained. “In my view, I didn’t really gain the position before the red flag. I thought I was 15th.

    “But at least I parked behind the box, pretty far, so I don’t think I gained any advantage for that. So let’s see. I hope everything is okay.”

  • Martin Brundle: George Russell Must Question Mercedes Over Italian GP VSC Call

    Martin Brundle: George Russell Must Question Mercedes Over Italian GP VSC Call

    Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle insists George Russell must demand answers from Mercedes after a virtual safety car strategy potentially cost him victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

    VSC Strategy Hands Antonelli Monza Victory

    Russell appeared poised to close the gap to his championship rival and team-mate Kimi Antonelli at Monza. While Russell stayed out on hard tyres during a virtual safety car (VSC) period, Antonelli was brought in for fresh mediums. The 20-year-old Italian used the tyre advantage to carve through the field and claim victory at his home race.

    Brundle: Russell Must Question Team Decision

    “It’s been a very difficult day for George Russell,” Brundle explained. “He will have to surely sit down and talk to the team, and ask, ‘How did that happen? I was leading the race. Why was I not given the preferential cheap pit stop there?’”

    Antonelli took a power unit penalty at the Italian Grand Prix, putting him at the back of the starting grid and giving Russell a significant opportunity to reduce the deficit in the standings.

    “For the world championship, this was George’s opportunity to do something about the deficit, and the deficit has grown,” Brundle added.

    Schiff: Russell Likely Questioning Himself Too

    Former W Series driver and Sky Sports pundit Naomi Schiff echoed Brundle’s assessment. “I think maybe the reason we’ve seen him be so calm about it right now is because he’s probably questioning himself a little bit as well, and why he wasn’t able to get more of an advantage.”

    “But I think with hindsight, he will be asking questions, like, ‘Why did I not get to pit during the VSC?’”

    “Yes, he was on a different strategy and they wanted him to go long, but at the end of the day, a fresher set of tyres could have saved him the victory today.”

    Championship Standings Shift

    Antonelli, who claimed his seventh F1 win at Monza, now leads the standings with a 66-point advantage over Russell in second place.

  • Five Quick Takeaways from the F1 Italian Grand Prix

    Five Quick Takeaways from the F1 Italian Grand Prix

    Antonelli Delivers Statement Win as Monza Exposes Championship Fault Lines

    Kimi Antonelli delivered what may be the most decisive blow yet in his intra-team championship battle with George Russell, storming from the back of the grid to claim a commanding victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The Mercedes rookie’s performance at Monza signaled not just a coming-of-age moment, but a potential shift in the team’s hierarchy.

    Antonelli’s Masterclass Overwhelms Russell’s Home Advantage

    Monza was framed as Russell’s prime opportunity to reclaim ground in the standings after Antonelli took a power-unit penalty and started last. Instead, the 18-year-old Italian needed barely 15 laps to slice through the field and settle into second behind his teammate. A pit stop briefly interrupted his charge, but Antonelli reclaimed the lead with authority. His first overtaking attempt was slightly ragged, but once he found clean air, his pace was simply unmatchable.

    McLaren’s MCL40 Fails the Temple of Speed Test

    After back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands, McLaren arrived at Monza knowing the circuit’s long straights and tight chicanes would test the MCL40’s low-drag efficiency. Team principal Andrea Stella had warned that replicating recent form would be “executed at the level we should have,” and that caution proved prescient.

    Qualifying execution fell short of the team’s standards, but the race told an even clearer story: neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris could mount a serious challenge on Sunday. The characteristics that made the MCL40 dominant through medium-speed corners at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort became liabilities at the Temple of Speed, leaving McLaren searching for answers before the next round.

    Ferrari’s Internal Tensions Surface Under Home Pressure

    As Lewis Hamilton remains mathematically in the title hunt, the cordial facade at Ferrari is showing strain. Hamilton questioned why the Scuderia isn’t maximizing its chances to support his championship bid—a barely veiled request for preferential treatment. Charles Leclerc’s response on track was pointed: at the start, he gave his seven-time world champion teammate minimal room at Turn 2, forcing Hamilton wide and momentarily dropping him to ninth.

    While Leclerc’s defense was within the rules, the optics of two Ferraris racing each other so aggressively—while Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren pulled away—did not play well in front of the tifosi. Leclerc’s own race ended in a crash at the end of Lap 2, turning a potential team crisis into a solo disaster. Team principal Fred Vasseur faces a delicate management challenge heading into Madrid.

    Leclerc’s Speed Undeniable, But Costly Errors Persist

    No one questions Charles Leclerc’s raw pace. His Achilles’ heel, however, is becoming a pattern: high-profile crashes at critical moments. Monza 2024 joins a list that includes Monza 2020 and Monaco, even as he has won at both circuits this season. The inconsistency is costly—especially as the gap to Hamilton in the standings widens beyond what Ferrari anticipated. Leclerc will deliver more brilliance, but the mistakes remain a championship-limiting factor.

    Alpine’s Pole Dream Ends in Constructors’ Reality

    Pierre Gasly’s shock pole position was entirely earned—no mixed conditions, no red-flag luck, just a sensational lap amplified by a well-timed tow. Yet Sunday’s race laid bare the performance gap to the top four teams. Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren drivers streamed past the Alpine, leaving Gasly seventh—a result that would normally delight Enstone, but felt hollow from pole.

    The silver lining: seventh place secures valuable points in the tight fight for fifth in the constructors’ championship, keeping Alpine ahead of rivals in the midfield battle.

  • Nico Rosberg: Ferrari backing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc “doesn’t make sense”

    Nico Rosberg: Ferrari backing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc “doesn’t make sense”

    Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, has dismissed the idea that Ferrari should prioritize Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc in the battle for the 2026 title. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast during the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, Rosberg stated that such a move is simply “not feasible” for the Scuderia.

    Ferrari’s Dilemma: Two Number One Drivers

    The discussion followed a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix where Ferrari appeared reluctant to enforce team orders to let Hamilton pass Leclerc, despite the Monegasque driver being on a different strategy. Addressing suggestions that the team should back the seven-time world champion for a future title push, Rosberg was unequivocal.

    “They can’t do that,” Rosberg, who was partnered with Hamilton at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016, said during the Sky Sports F1 broadcast at Monza.

    “They have two No. 1 drivers, both on a similar level. You cannot, now in the middle of the season, put everything just working towards Lewis. It’s way too early, and that doesn’t make sense.”

    Rosberg elaborated that while favoring Hamilton might theoretically boost his championship chances—especially given that the Ferrari drivers have been “all over each other almost every race” in the last five rounds—doing so would undermine Leclerc and the team’s operational integrity.

    “Of course, for Lewis that would enhance his chances to win the championship because in the last five races the Ferrari drivers were all over each other almost every race. Of course, it costs them performance, and Lewis championship points eventually, but the team cannot do that at this stage against Leclerc. It’s not feasible.”

    Championship Standings and Monza Implications

    Heading into the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton trailed championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 59 points in the drivers’ standings, while Leclerc faced a larger 87-point deficit. Rosberg highlighted the significance of the Monza race for the title contenders.

    “It is a big race for the championship today,” Rosberg added. “It’s the chance for George, Lewis, actually also Lando, to make up some big points. But Lando is kind of out of it today, he has not been fast enough this weekend.”

    Regarding Hamilton’s specific prospects for the race, Rosberg noted a qualifying performance that fell slightly short of expectations but remained optimistic about his race pace.

    “Lewis also, we were expecting a bit more from him in qualifying but, nevertheless, he’s still fourth, has a good race car so he can be on the podium. Not sure he can fight for the win.”

    Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari. Photo by: Alessio Morgese