Scene of the race: In the seventh lap Sebastian Vettel lost control of his car in the Ascari chicane, turned and came off the track. Apparently without paying attention to the following drivers, the Ferrari driver rolled back onto the track and caused a slight collision with Lance Stroll, whereupon he stood crosswise on the road. Several drivers were evasive at the last moment, Vettel had to wait for the repair in the box and there serve a penalty ten seconds.
Result: Vettel's race had indeed gone with the action, but Ferrari triumphed at the Italian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc took the second consecutive victory, Mercedes-Benz driver Valtteri Bottas was second to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Vettel finished in 13th place. Click here for the race report.
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The Monza Eni Circuit was completely red
On the run I: Leclerc started the race in the pole position and claimed the lead against the two Mercedes drivers Hamilton and Bottas at the start, but could not distance himself from his pursuers, as they drove in his slipstream. In the 21st round Leclerc and Hamilton came to the pit to change tires, after which a lengthy chase began. Leclerc fended off all attacks Hamilton, also because his Ferrari on the straights was much faster. But he was unable to extend his lead.
On the Run II: It was a game of patience, and the younger of the two top drivers made the first mistake. In turn one, the 21-year-old Leclerc slowed too late and drove across the turf, but narrowly remained in the lead. Six laps later it was the five-time world champion who braked - also in the first corner. Hamilton had to go through the run-off and lost his position to Bottas. The Finn had fresher tires and caught up quickly. Without a small mistake he might still have come within striking distance, but Leclerc was the first to finish after 53 laps.
Nobody Does atmosphere quite like the Tifosi # F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/64eNT0nJl6
- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 8, 2019Bella Italia: The Scuderia had triumphed nine years ago at the home Grand Prix in Monza, then Fernando Alonso won. On Thursday, Ferrari also had a big birthday. Thousands of Tifosis celebrated the 90th anniversary of the automaker in Milan's marketplace. Leclerc's victory was the culmination of this festival week in northern Italy.
Moment of shock: Last week there was an accident at the Formula 2 in Belgium, in which the French driver Anthoine Hubert had lost his life. Juan Manuel Correa, who was also involved, was put into an artificial unconsciousness by the doctors. The accident happened because Hubert was after a crash across the track and was hit by Correa.
LAP 7/53
Vettel loses control at Turn Nine, and collides with Stroll as he returns
And then Stroll comes close to colliding with Gasly as he gets back on track # F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/zZCViHSN98
Vettel's unhesitating return after his spin produced a similarly dangerous situation. Standing in the middle of the road, Stroll nearly crashed into several cars - as the Racing Point rider accelerated again, he even tightened the danger, Pierre Gasly responding just in time. Stroll got a drive-through penalty like Vettel.
Screw loose: Even before further danger could arise, Carlos Sainz turned off his car after his pit stop. The McLaren crew had not fixed a wheel correctly when changing tires and the Spaniard had left before the fault could be rectified. The TV footage showed how a mechanic still raised his hand, as if to say: "Wait, do not drive!"
Ambitious: Before the race, the latest version of the Honda engine had been installed in Max Verstappen's Red Bull, which is why the Dutchman started from last place in the race. Before the start, RTL reporter Kai Ebel asked him how many laps he would need to pass the entire field. "Two," Verstappen said dryly. He did not quite succeed, but although he had to be in the pit lane for a repair in the first lap, Verstappen worked his way up to eighth place.
