Five Formula 1 Winners & Losers: Italian Grand Prix

Hello, everyone.

It’s been a bit!

I had to take some time away from writing to “get married” and whatever.

But we’re back! And we’re back with a wonderful Italian Grand Prix.

So let’s get into the winners and losers of the Italian Grand Prix.

Losers

5. Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki’s race ended before it ever really got started, as the Japanese driver’s terrible luck at Monza continues.

Maybe next year, Yuki.

4. Max Verstappen

It was a terrible weekend for Red Bull, as the two drivers seemed to not have anywhere near enough pace for a podium, let alone a win.

Verstappen’s 6th place finish cost him ground in the championship, but it could’ve been worse.

We’ll get to that in a bit.

3. McLaren

Oscar Piastri’s first lap move to get the lead over Lando Norris was absolutely insane. Maybe the best move of the season. And it led to Piastri seemingly headed towards an easy win.

But then, inexplicably, McLaren decided to not even try and attempt a one stop, pit Piastri for new tires, and then threw away the win.

And after throwing away the win, they didn’t have their drivers swap positions so that Lando could get more of a gain on Verstappen in the championship.

It was just a very weird strategy day for McLaren.

2. Lance Stroll

I don’t think I saw Lance Stroll on my tv screen once during the race, and then found out after the fact he finished dead last of the main runners.

I have no idea what happened, but I don’t need to know.

That Aston Martin may not be competing for podiums, but it’s surely a lot better than dead stinking last.

1. Lando Norris

When the race began, if everyone stayed in their starting positions until the end, Lando Norris would have gained 19 points on Verstappen in the championship battle.

But yet another loss of the lead, and two stopping, meant he only gained 8 points in the end.

It’s still an improvement, but it’s another example of Lando letting a huge opportunity slip away.

If Lando wants to actually make this a title fight, he has to be better. Plain and simple.

Winners

5. Sergio Perez

I don’t know.

He wasn’t 8 miles behind Verstappen this time.

That’s something.

4. Franco Colapinto

Colapinto’s first race was at a track that Williams is usually good at, but even still, a 12th place finish is a good result for your first ever F1 race.

Let’s see how Baku goes for the young Argentine.

3. Kevin Magnussen

The man held on for a point, even with a 10 second penalty, and got two penalty points which earned him a race ban.

A true man of chaos.

You gotta love him.

2. Alexander Albon

Albon did a great job all race, and got two crucial points for Williams.

Just a really solid race from a really solid driver.

1. Charles Leclerc

There’s just something about a Ferrari winning in Monza, huh?

It was a day where a one stop seemed impossible, and not only did Leclerc do the one stop, but had consistently quick laps to keep the McLaren’s behind and get his second ever win at Monza.

Leclerc’s two wins this year are his home track of Monaco and his team’s home track of Monza.

Not too bad.