Ferrari enters its home race at Monza with a fresh coat of paint, a new track surface, and a renewed sense of hope. The Scuderia showed promise at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc securing his second consecutive podium finish and Carlos Sainz Jr. making a remarkable climb from 10th on the grid to fifth place. This performance came as a surprise, particularly after a period of struggling to keep up with the frontrunners. While the team is undoubtedly energized by these recent results, Leclerc remains grounded. He acknowledges that while the team has made progress, Ferrari still has work to do to close the gap to the top contenders.
Monza, known as the Temple of Speed, has undergone significant changes this year. The track has been resurfaced for the first time since 1922, resulting in a darker appearance and a much smoother surface. Several drivers, including Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, expressed disappointment with the modification of the iconic kerbs. Ricciardo believes these changes diminish the circuit’s unique character.
Despite the recent upgrades, Ferrari’s chances of a victory at Monza remain uncertain. The team has only won one of the past 13 Italian Grand Prix races, with Leclerc’s triumph in 2019 being the last time a Ferrari car stood atop the podium. While the team’s recent performance improvement offers a glimmer of hope, the challenge posed by the dominant Red Bull team remains significant.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the three-time defending world champion, finds himself in an unusual position. Despite his dominance in recent seasons, Verstappen has gone five races without a win, his longest winless streak since 2020. This has allowed McLaren’s Lando Norris to close the gap in the championship standings, with the gap now down to 70 points with nine races remaining. Despite the shrinking margin, Verstappen remains optimistic and focused on turning the tide.
The Italian Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race. Ferrari will be hoping to capitalize on their recent momentum and deliver a strong performance for their passionate fans at Monza. Meanwhile, Verstappen will be seeking to reassert his dominance and extend his lead in the championship standings. The race is sure to be filled with drama, excitement, and plenty of action, as the world’s best drivers compete on one of the most iconic circuits in Formula One.
