Max Verstappen in Michael Schumacher-mode as F1 avoids Abu Dhabi repeat – What we discovered on the Italian GP
Ewan Gale
Max Verstappen is doubtlessly only one race away from turning into a two-time F1 world champion after clinching victory on the Italian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman rose from seventh to attain a snug fifth win in succession whereas making his first journey onto the Monza podium.
Charles Leclerc completed second in what turned a needlessly contentious finish to the race.
However with the championship all however wrapped up, here’s what we discovered in Italy.
Verstappen’s Schumacher-like dominance
There isn’t any doubting the magnificence of Verstappen on his present type.
The reigning champion has been nigh-on untouchable each time he will get behind the wheel of the Pink Bull as of late, taking wins from pole, the midfield and even the again of the grid.
Even a five-place grid penalty by no means threatened his victory, regardless of how romantic a Ferrari win in entrance of the Tifosi would have been.
Beginning seventh, Verstappen reached third by the primary nook of lap two and overtook George Russell’s Mercedes to take second on lap 5.
It appears like all the pieces that each staff and driver are doing is working and there may be an eerie resemblance to the domination of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari – however who can cease Verstappen?
Abu Dhabi repeat averted
The Italian Grand Prix resulted in a controversial trend behind the protection automobile.
The FIA has come below fireplace from all instructions within the aftermath which, aside from that there was a small delay in deploying the protection automobile, is wholly unfair.
In Abu Dhabi final season, the very fact guidelines weren’t adopted as per the letter of the regulation created ire and frustration and resulted in race director Michael Masi shedding his job.
Let’s be below no phantasm that there have been no guidelines damaged at Monza by the FIA, so it appears farfetched to be overhyping the severity of the failings.
Ought to the protection automobile have been known as a lap sooner? Sure, after all. However with the order shuffling as automobiles pitted, there would have been no assure of restarting the race anyway – even when it was greater than possible.
Listening to staff principals would make you imagine there was a disaster brewing. In actuality, the FIA has far larger points to resolve than a gradual security automobile response.
Ferrari waving white flag
If Ferrari’s technique and staff radio is something to go by, the Scuderia has nearly given up making an attempt to beat Verstappen and Pink Bull in a straight combat.
The calls to Leclerc suggesting that if ‘Verstappen goes plan C, we’ll go plan B’ reveals {that a} differential is required simply to be hopeful of standing on the highest step of the rostrum.
When a digital security automobile was deployed on lap 12, Leclerc pulled into the pits to change onto a daring two-stop technique. This finally took the Monégasque out of the combat.
This isn’t a slight on the Scuderia as there was nothing extra the staff might do. It needed to attempt to counter Pink Bull with an opposing technique however the RB18 was just too fast.
A optimistic was Carlos Sainz’s cost by way of the sphere from 18th to fourth. The Spaniard scythed by way of throughout his first stint and appears the shape driver at Maranello as of late.
De Vries job interview handed with flying colors
What a weekend for Nyck de Vries.
The Dutchman was positioned at Aston Martin for one of many staff’s compulsory rookie runs in FP1, spending the hour harvesting information for the Silverstone-based outfit.
However when Alex Albon was hospitalised with appendicitis on Saturday morning, de Vries was known as up by Williams to make his F1 debut.
The Mercedes reserve driver has been touted for a seat over the previous couple of years since successful the F2 championship in 2019 however his on-track audition couldn’t have been higher.
Unfamiliarity with the steering wheel controls price a high 10 place in qualifying however penalties shuffled de Vries again as much as eighth.
A spirited drive would lead to a ninth-place end – holding off Zhou Guanyu for nearly the whole race.
Shares have risen within the F1 sphere for the previous Components E world champion, will he be on the grid subsequent 12 months?
Penalty system wants an overhaul
The penalty system wants an overhaul after the farce that was determining the qualifying outcomes on Sunday.
Almost 4 hours handed because the FIA deliberated on who would begin the place with 9 drivers taking hits.
Solely Leclerc began the place he certified which made a mockery of qualifying. Change is required purely to help followers – many new as F1’s recognition surges – in understanding how the grid is about.
That is way more urgent than any minor security automobile error.