Triumphs and Tribulations: A Tale of 10 Fortunes in the Italian Grand Prix

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza delivered another thrilling race, with Charles Leclerc claiming a dream victory for Ferrari on home soil. The event produced both winners and losers, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 racing.

Winners

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc emerged as the biggest winner of the Italian Grand Prix, securing his second win of the season and seventh of his career. The Monegasque driver managed his tyres expertly, leading Ferrari to a memorable victory in front of their passionate Tifosi. This triumph marked Leclerc's third consecutive podium finish, narrowing the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen and solidifying his position in the title race.

Ferrari and the Tifosi

The Italian Grand Prix proved to be a dream come true for Ferrari and their loyal fans. Leclerc's victory at Monza sent the packed grandstands into a frenzy, fulfilling the annual hopes of the Tifosi to see a Ferrari driver on the top step of the podium. The team's bold strategy and Leclerc's flawless execution resulted in a historic win on home turf.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon continued to impress with a stellar performance for Williams. The Thai driver showcased his consistency at Monza, making it into Q3 for the fourth time in his career at this track. Albon's race craft was equally impressive, successfully executing a one-stop strategy and fending off Fernando Alonso to secure a well-deserved ninth-place finish.

Franco Colapinto

Rookie driver Franco Colapinto made a strong impression in his Grand Prix debut with Williams. Called up as a last-minute replacement for Logan Sargeant, the Argentine qualified 18th and managed to finish 12th. Colapinto's ability to handle the hard tyres and execute a one-stop strategy drew praise from the team, especially considering his limited experience with the 2024-spec Williams.

Losers

Kevin Magnussen

Despite initially finishing in the points, Kevin Magnussen's race ended on a sour note. A penalty for causing a collision with Pierre Gasly demoted him from ninth to tenth place. More significantly, the penalty points accrued pushed him over the limit, resulting in a ban for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Yuki Tsunoda

The Italian Grand Prix proved to be a forgettable weekend for Yuki Tsunoda. Despite being chosen to run RB's upgrade package, the Japanese driver was eliminated in Q1 for the second time in three races. His race came to a premature end due to damage sustained in a collision with Nico Hulkenberg's Haas.

Red Bull

The Italian Grand Prix marked a rare off-weekend for the usually dominant Red Bull team. Max Verstappen qualified seventh, his worst performance since Singapore, while Sergio Perez started eighth. The race saw minimal improvement, with Verstappen finishing sixth and Perez eighth. The team's lead in the constructors' championship has now been reduced to just eight points ahead of a resurgent McLaren.

Oscar Piastri

Despite an impressive performance, Oscar Piastri left Monza with a sense of disappointment. The Australian rookie made a spectacular pass to take the lead and commanded the race for a significant period. However, a strategic decision to pit for a second time cost him the victory, as he ran out of laps to catch the one-stopping Leclerc. While a podium finish is commendable, the missed opportunity for a win left Piastri visibly frustrated.