Charles Leclerc Victory For Ferrari at Home
In an exciting 2024 Italian Grand Prix race at Monza, Charles Leclerc claimed victory for Ferrari and his second of the season, sending waves of cheers through the passionate home crowd. Leclerc’s win marked a significant milestone for Ferrari, as it was their first triumph on home soil since Leclerc himself clinched victory here in 2019. This time, it was a strategy call and tire management that secured the win. The Monegasque driver held off the McLarens to deliver a memorable performance for the Tifosi.
Leclerc’s Strategic Choice
The race was set up for a battle between the faster McLarens and a determined Leclerc, who had a trick up his sleeve—a strategy that required one fewer pit stop than his rivals. Leclerc’s plan hinged on his ability to manage tire wear and extend his stint longer than the two-stop strategies of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Despite being pressured by the McLarens’ fresher tires in the closing laps, Leclerc remained composed and nursed his set of tires to the end. As the checkered flag waved, he crossed the line 2.884 seconds ahead of a charging Piastri. The win ignited roars of approval from the Monza faithful.
McLaren’s Gamble and Piastri’s Pursuit
Lando Norris, starting from pole, initially looked to have steadied himself after a shaky defense against his teammate Piastri. However, an ambitious overtake attempt by Piastri around the outside at the Variante della Roggia caught Norris off guard, forcing him off-line. This maneuver allowed Leclerc to slip through as well, setting the stage for a strategic showdown.
While Leclerc settled into his rhythm, it became clear that tire wear would be a decisive factor. McLaren made the call for a two-stop strategy, with both drivers pitting relatively early. This allowed them to regain track position temporarily, but Leclerc’s conservative approach proved advantageous. When McLaren asked Piastri if he could complete the race on a one-stop strategy, the Australian’s refusal solidified Ferrari’s upper hand.
With Piastri pushing hard on fresher tires in the final laps, Ferrari relied on their other driver, Carlos Sainz, to play a critical role. Sainz managed to hold off Piastri for several laps, giving Leclerc the breathing room he needed. The strategy paid off as Piastri, despite closing the gap, ran out of laps to make a move on Leclerc.
Drama Unfolds for Norris and McLaren
For Lando Norris, the race was a blend of recovery and missed opportunities. After his early battle with Piastri, he found himself unable to mount a significant challenge to his teammate. Although given the green light to race Piastri, Norris struggled to close in. His pace further compromised by a battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. In the end, Norris settled for third, still a respectable result but a missed chance to challenge for a higher podium spot.
The near-miss for McLaren also affected their bid to overtake Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Despite narrowing the gap to just eight points, McLaren could have seized the lead had the cards fallen differently.
Verstappen and the Championship Picture
Max Verstappen’s championship campaign took a minor hit as he finished in sixth place. Though he managed to play a part in stifling Norris’s race, his points haul was not enough to maintain a significant lead in the Drivers’ Championship. The gap now stands at 62-points. With McLaren pushing hard and Ferrari finding form, Verstappen’s path to another title has become a bit more complicated.
Battles Down the Order and Penalty Drama
Behind the leading pack, Carlos Sainz ensured a solid day for Ferrari by finishing fourth, while Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s future driver, secured fifth for Mercedes. George Russell claimed seventh, outdueling Sergio Perez for eighth. The battle between Russell and Perez was particularly intense, with Russell shrugging off Perez’s robust defenses to grab valuable points.
Further down the field, Williams’ Alex Albon secured a strong ninth-place finish. Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 10 for Haas. This was despite being hit with a 10-second penalty for a collision with Pierre Gasly. The penalty cost Magnussen a potential top-10 finish, he now faces s one-race ban for accumulating too many penalty points.
Near Points and First Experiences
Just missing out on the points was Fernando Alonso, who finished 11th. The Spainard was only 0.143 seconds away from a point after Magnussen’s penalty was applied. Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, finished his first F1 race in 12th, gaining valuable experience in Formula 1.
A Day to Remember for Ferrari
The 2024 F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza will be remembered as a day of victory for Ferrari and Charles Leclerc. The combination of strategy, skillful driving, and home advantage saw them deliver a victory in front of an ecstatic crowd.
Leclerc had this to say about his victory:
“I want to win Monza and Monaco every year and I have managed to do so. It is so, so special.”
As the championship battle heats up, this race could prove pivotal for both Ferrari’s resurgence and McLaren’s bid for championship glory. For now, the Tifosi have every reason to celebrate as their beloved Scuderia shines once more at home.
Full results of the race are here.
