Press review: a hopeful podium for Ferrari in front of Tifosi

Best possible result
Ferrari couldn’t have done more yesterday at Monza. Red Bull is currently superior on practically any type of track, and even Sergio Perez, a specialist on the Italian circuit, delivered his best performance, securing a one-two finish behind Max Verstappen, who reached ten consecutive victories in F1, an absolute record that even impressed the usually unflappable Dutchman, who, over the radio after the race, emphasized that this is “quite a stat.”

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc battled for the third step of the podium, thrilling the fans at Prima Variante and Roggia, the chicanes where the Scuderia Ferrari drivers even went wheel to wheel on several occasions. “In the end, by giving themselves and us an extreme thrill, the Maranello riders both achieved the best possible result,” writes Leo Turrini in Il Resto del Carlino. “Yesterday at Monza, we witnessed a great spectacle. Sainz was formidable in his lock-tight defense: he delayed Verstappen’s overtake for as long as possible, first, and then Perez’s. It became inevitable when the tires and setup no longer allowed the Spaniard to resist. This is where we need to start. The Ferrari at Monza finally lived up to expectations. Is it enough? Certainly not. All the people who were at Monza yesterday, plus those who chose to sit in front of the TV on a late summer Sunday, deserve more.”

Yesterday, Max Verstappen had to at least earn the first position for 15 laps, stubbornly defended by Carlos Sainz until the tires demanded payment, resulting in a lock-up at the Prima Variante that opened the door for Verstappen’s attack at Roggia. “The Red Bull, winner of all fourteen races held so far, was not used to encountering such fierce resistance,” emphasizes Stefano Mancini in La Stampa.

“It found it in a Ferrari finally capable of intimidating the invincible. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc put up all possible resistance and crossed the finish line, after fighting for third place. The other drivers were left behind: perhaps this is the aspect that reassures Ferrari’s technicians the most. Catching up with Red Bull at the moment is not feasible; leaving the others behind, yes.”

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Watch Robbery
The day had an unfortunate ending for Carlos Sainz, who was robbed of his watch. The Spaniard successfully chased down the thieves: “The race for Carlos Sainz didn’t end at Monza with his third-place finish,” as stated in Repubblica. “The Spanish driver, returning from the racetrack to Milan, was robbed of a very precious watch, valued at over 500,000 euros, as he was leaving around 8:30 PM from the Armani Hotel on Viale Manzoni. Three thieves approached him while he was opening the car’s trunk. The man in the Ferrari jersey fell into the trap, thinking they were fans. After taking the watch, the three escaped. Carlos didn’t just stand by; he chased them with two of his associates and some onlookers who witnessed the scene. Happy ending: no one was hurt.”