Five Formula 1 Winners & Losers: Italian Grand Prix
Photo from Formula 1
Once again, I had to miss the race due to a prior engagement.
Once again, I am thankful for F1TV’s race review, because this race was fantastic.
And it was a massive statement from the native son.
Here are the winners & losers from Italy.
Losers
5. Pierre Gasly
Look, this is a little harsh. I get that.
After all, Gasly put that damn Alpine on pole position. Nobody thought that.
And he finished 7th, which is a really good points result!
But I don’t think it’s unfair to say that you’d hope for a better result when you start on pole on merit, regardless of the machine you’re in.
Still a good result, obviously, but hoping for more.
4. Liam Lawson
Liam’s second race in the Red Bull seat, taking over for the injured Isack Hadjar, was ruined when Red Bull screwed up his qualifying strategy, and he was never able to recover it and get into the points.
3. Aston Martin
The Aston has looked faster recently!
But a double DNF isn’t exactly a continuation of that success.
Baby steps, I guess.
2. Charles Leclerc
The Ferrari driver, at Ferrari’s home race, didn’t make it a lap before crashing out of the race.
Not what you want.
1. George Russell
Look, it is what it is.
Russell finished 2nd in the race, and that’s really, really good.
But his teammate and championship rival Kimi Antonelli started 19th.
This was a perfect opportunity to get a huge chunk of points back, and he somehow still ended up losing them.
This title is slipping away.
Winners
5. Pierre Gasly
I mean come on he put an Alpine on pole.
Regardless of where he ended up, that’s ridiculous.
4. Max Verstappen
A podium is never a bad thing.
3. Franco Colapinto
Another race, another points result for the Argentine.
He, and Alpine, are having quite a good season.
2. Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki is trying to make an impact, taking over the Racing Bulls seat for Liam Lawson as he replaces Isack Hadjar.
A good way to do that is to outperform Lawson in the Red Bull, and get points for Racing Bulls.
Maybe a team takes a look at Yuki for next season.
This result surely doesn’t hurt it.
1. Kimi Antonelli
There was only one possible winner this week.
Starting 19th due to an engine change, many expected he’d do his most to limit possible damage in the title fight and get the best result he possibly good.
Instead, he drove that Mercedes all the way to the lead of the race, drove off the track into the gravel, and still caught up to his teammate George Russell to easily pass him and win his home race and get a stronger lead in the championship.
This kid is unbelievable.
