Highlights of the Italian Grand Prix
By Kate Walker
Leclerc delivers Monza win for tifosi
For the first time since 2010, a Ferrari driver won the Italian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc secured a second consecutive win for the Scuderia in eight days, delivering a masterful performance from pole position to chequered flag despite pressure from Lewis Hamilton for much of the afternoon, and Valtteri Bottas during the final laps. Confirming his status as the Scuderia’s star driver, Leclerc managed what Sebastian Vettel has not been able to do – winning for the tifosi at their very own temple of speed. Leclerc’s win was all the sweeter in the aftermath of a tragic Belgian Grand Prix weekend. La pista magica indeed.
Penalties galore at the Italian Grand Prix
A chaotic Italian Grand Prix was characterised by a seemingly endless string of penalties, beginning with Sebastian Vettel’s ten second stop-go penalty for rejoining the track in a dangerous fashion after spinning at the Variante Ascari on lap 6. Lance Stroll repeated Vettel’s error as a consequence of being spun off by the Ferrari, and was issued with a drive-through. As Vettel’s penalty was confirmed on lap 11, the stewards announced they would be investigating Alexander Albon for cutting the corner while battling with Kevin Magnussen. Albon was given a five second penalty. The final infraction was an unsafe release for Carlos Sainz, for which McLaren was fined.
Another awful Monza for Vettel
The 2018 Italian Grand Prix saw Sebastian Vettel recover to fourth after an early error sent the Ferrari driver to the back of the field. This year’s edition was supposed to be Vettel’s race of atonement, but an unforced lap 6 spin at the Variante Ascari saw the Ferrari return to the track into the path of Lance Stroll, earning Vettel a stop-go penalty.
“He just came back onto the circuit like an idiot!” exclaimed Stroll on the Racing Point team radio after the incident with Vettel.
When he returned to the track in last position, Vettel was 19 seconds off the 19th-placed car. By lap 36, Vettel had been lapped by teammate and race leader Leclerc, the penultimate indignity before crossing the line in 13th place, 90 seconds ahead of the Williams of George Russell. Adding insult to injury, the quadruple champion was issued with three-penalty points, raising the spectre of a one-race ban if he picks up three more points before 19 October.