Whistles on the podium for Verstappen - Leclerc frustrated

Created: 09/11/2022Updated: 09/11/2022 17:09

Dutchman Max Verstappen has a 116-point lead over Charles Leclerc after the race in Monza.

© Antonio Calanni/AP/dpa

Whistles for winner Verstappen.

Orange isn't red.

Ferrari misses a home win.

The decision - behind the safety car.

That frustrates the beaten Leclerc.

No joy at Vettel either.

Monza – Despite this, the Tifosi moved under the goosebumps podium of Formula 1 and whistled out winner Max Verstappen, the depressed Charles Leclerc first sought consolation from his team.

In an undignified finale to a race for victory in the Italian Grand Prix that had been exciting for a long time, Verstappen rolled comfortably behind the safety car on the high-speed circuit to his first triumph in Monza.

"It took a little time," he commented - in his eighth year in the premier motorsport class, the time had come.

He had to live with the displeasure of the disappointed Ferrari fans among the well over 100,000 fans.

And he can do it very well: The 24-year-old Red Bull star already has the chance to win the second and early title at the upcoming race in Singapore at the beginning of October.

Verstappen before title triumph, Leclerc disappointed

Pole man Leclerc failed to repeat Ferrari's home win three years ago.

"The ending was frustrating.

I thought we were going to race,” emphasized the 24-year-old.

"It's such a shame, I gave everything."

However, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and Monaco's Prince Albert had to watch as a McLaren that had broken down could not be towed away in time to clear the track for a final showdown.

"It would have been a great finish, maybe closer for us, but you should put the sport in the foreground," complained Red Bull's motorsport boss Helmut Marko.

Third was George Russell in the Mercedes.

For Sebastian Vettel, the European final ended on the course of his first of 53 Grand Prix victories 14 years ago after less than a third of the race distance due to a defect in the Aston Martin.

Mick Schumacher finished a depressing weekend in a strong twelfth place in a Haas that was too slow and too vulnerable.

"We had more pace than we thought," said Schumacher, who also found the race "better than expected".

At the top, however, Verstappen was the measure of all things for the eleventh time this year, with a 116-point lead over Leclerc, he can mathematically win his second world title early in Singapore on October 2nd.

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Ferrari with big goals for the home Grand Prix

The pressure on Leclerc and Ferrari was enormous, the enthusiasm of the Tifosi boundless, the atmosphere gigantic.

Finally in front of full ranks again without the restrictions of the corona pandemic, the installation rounds became a celebration in the stands.

Bright sunshine also made the yellow on the SF-75 really shine in honor of the home of company founder Enzo Ferrari.

Leclerc had secured pole with a splendid lap on Saturday, behind which the calculations had begun after a series of grid penalties.

This also affected Verstappen, who dropped from second to seventh in the starting position and Sainz, who had to go from three to 18.

In addition to Russell, who started second, Vettel and Schumacher, who were allowed to start from position eleven and 17 despite messed up qualifications, were also beneficiaries.

Schumacher, whose Haas had only allowed a few practice rounds, was last in the knockout elimination, Vettel 17th.

The big danger for everyone on the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, built 100 years ago: curve one.

Leclerc defended his pole, the spectators freaked out, Russell's attack had no consequences.

Verstappen, who last won in Spa-Francorchamps and the Netherlands after the summer break, made up two places.

He kept catching up.

In the fifth lap he passed Russell.

Everything ready for the exciting duel for victory.

Verstappen initially left it at a gap of one and a half to almost two seconds.

Unlike in his wilder years, the highly talented Dutchman acted in a more controlled, calculating manner.

Ferrari was under pressure anyway after a lot of mistakes and strategy mistakes, Ferrari boss John Elkann followed the events on the spot.

Safety car phase at the end of the race

"If Verstappen switches to Plan C, we'll do Plan B, okay," the Scuderia command post radioed Leclerc.

The parked Aston Martin then triggered a virtual safety car phase.

Plan A now at Ferrari: Leclerc came into the pits for new, medium-hard tires and rejoined behind Verstappen and Russell.

Verstappen stayed outside, he and his crew knew: Leclerc's rubber would have to last a long time.

The medium tires were mounted on Verstappen's car for almost half of the 53 laps.

The two crucial questions: would he be able to catch up with Leclerc now more than ten seconds behind or would Leclerc have to pit again?

Then the radio message to the Monegasques: "Box, Box." Leclerc got the fastest mix.

There were still 20 laps to go, the gap was around 20 seconds.

Daniel Ricciardo's McLaren then stopped six laps before the end.

The safety car has to go, Verstappen's lead was gone.

The duelists got new tires again - for free.

dpa