Monza GP : Kimi wins home race
Kimi wins the home race in the Monza with a stunning comeback drive from P19. George did not have the pace to defend. Max finished P3.
Mega drive by Kimi at Monza
Before the home race for Kimi even started, things were not looking good. An engine change meant that he would be starting from the back of the grid. While he still had arguably the fastest car, it is a monumental challenge to avoid any collisions at the race start and make your way up the grid. Kimi started in P19. He kept the start and the first few turns clean and quickly moved to P12. A mega crash by LeClerc meant a red flag and soon after the start he was in the points. The Yo-Yo racing was happening a lot as Kimi fought George for the top spot. Then a sudden VSC meant he could stop for a fresher set of tires. He had to climb back up again but the so much was the pace of the Mercedes and that of Kimi that there was no stopping him. George on wonr out hards could not hold him any longer. Kimi is the first Italian in the last 60 years to win a race in Italy. He will remember this for a long time to come and is now sitting comfortably with a 66 points lead in the Championship.
Before we forget, it was Pierre Gasly who was on pole and George was P2. However Gasly Alpine did not have the race pace and George was soon ahead. He was able to keep Max and the Ferraris and the McLarens behind him but team-mate Kimi proved a bit too much. It would be embarrassing for him to come P2 while his younger team-mate stormed from P19 to take the top spot. He hid this behind unfortunate strategy and worn out hards.
Max magic in Monza
Max drove his race well, kept the Ferrari of Hamilton and the McLarens at bay, made no mistake, and eventually finished P3. While he was complaining about the rear axle all the time, he would be happy with the result and finishing on the podium. Lawson started from the back of the grid due to engine penalty and was not in the points.
No race pace for Alpine
Pierre Gasly got his first pole in his 9 years of F1 career. He was overjoyed after a big setback of Monaco podium being taken away from him. However the happiness lasted only for a day. The race pace was nowhere to be found and was easily passed by the Mercs, Max and McLarens and Hamilton. He eventually finished P7. Franco too started from a good position but a visit to the gravels meant he was again back in the grid. The recovery drive was good though and eventually finished P9.
Ferrari fumble in Monza
This is the home race for Ferrari and the tifosi was all out here. The Quali went decent but the race was a disaster. Right at the race start Charles had a brush against Hamilton, sending him in the gravels and back of the grid. He himself pushed too hard and had a massive crash, bringing out the red flag. Lewis drove decently but the race pace was the not there and he eventually finished P6.
It was actually a good day for Piastri but the two McLarens fought bitterly and in the end Lando came out on top with a P4 finish and Oscar P5. Arvid Lindblad had a good race as he finished P8 and Yuki Tsunoda finished P10.
Monza GP Top 10 : Kimi home winner
