2019 Italian Grand Prix - Monza, Sep 06 - 08

[Fulcrum]

Leclerc has more points than Vettel now.

Today's result, especially the way it happened (Leclerc - brilliant; Vettel - not so much), and where it happened, could very well signify the changing of the guard at Ferrari.

This does present an issue for Ferrari. They started the season stating that they were backing Vettel and team orders would be used etc. They will either have to now publicly rescind that position or at least quietly go back on it and support Leclerc, especially if he betters Vettel again in Singapore. I don't see Vettel being very motivated from here on this season if Leclerc does manage to beat him again next race.

A less competitive and confident person would be absolutely destroyed after today's results. The spin is not his first, simply the latest in a series of such mistakes, so his confidence can't be at an all-time high. The decision to attempt to re-enter the track may have made some sense, but it reeked of desperation.

That said, Vettel is both competitive and typically confident, so he could shrug this off as a bad day at the office.

More worrying for me, Vettel's reaction to the qualifying situation (Leclerc didn't cooperate, and Vettel vocalised his displeasure) would make me nervous as a Ferrari manager. If Vettel chooses to 'fight the tide', the intra-team harmony will suffer.

I sense an escalation of politicking coming for Ferrari.

[GPR-A]

So, Honda's progress is impressive this year, but still not enough. On a power circuit, Perez using a new Spec 2 PU managed to be ahead of Verstappen, who was on a new Spec 4 PU, for pretty much half the race! Critically, Racing Point doesn't get the same grade fuel from Petronas that Mercedes gets, who supposedly have introduced a new grade fuel in Hungary, with reportedly, a 18 HP boost!

[Scorpaguy]

Congrats to Leclerc; too dirty for a prefect score but a good day nonetheless.

Lol @ the numerous repots of Honda & Verstappen mounting a challenge after the Summer break. They’re not ready this year - they won’t be ready next year. Questions remain over driver and PU it seems

Good words re Honda...I thought them/Max the disappointment of the race. I guess their "party mode" is pretty limited.

As for Lec, have to eat my words...never thought he/Big Red could do it. Another near perfect race...strategy wise (I am beginning to think Big Red shipped their strategists to Alfa...Kimi, did you not see the yellow?). As for the aggressive defending...should be expected by now (seems these younger drivers get a bit of leeway).

[ambientnoiz]

True. Wonder why Lec didn’t “cooperate”

[Xwang]

Bottas' try really makes you appreciate Hamilton. He was literally stuck behind Leclerc, without a single mistake. Ham's pressure is relentless, Leclerc is the next guy who can't stand it and cracks (after Rosberg and Vettel).

Someone could says that at the end of this race was Hamilton to crack.
I think that both Ferrari and Mercedes drivers were using their cars to the maximum and when you are at the limit going slightly long in a hard braking point in race does not seem so huge error (even if it should be avoided because it is risky for the track position, but if you do not risk when you are 1 second distant to the competitor you are not a top f1 driver).
IMHO.

[Jambier]

So, Honda's progress is impressive this year, but still not enough. On a power circuit, Perez using a new Spec 2 PU managed to be ahead of Verstappen, who was on a new Spec 4 PU, for pretty much half the race! Critically, Racing Point doesn't get the same grade fuel from Petronas that Mercedes gets, who supposedly have introduced a new grade fuel in Hungary, with reportedly, a 18 HP boost!

The Honda is the most reliable engine.
And that is already amazing.

But yes in power maybe a bit behind.

We also saw that the Renault is the most unreliable engine, but very powerful

[TAG]

Not a bad race, Leclerc elbows out, almost dirty but at long as it's allowed to go both ways, I'm okay with it. He drove the race Vettel would have only dreamed of driving. The guard has changed there and it's going to be interesting to see what happens at Ferrari after this year. Mercedes leaves Monza extending their lead thanks to Vettel. Weir mid filed order, Renault in low downforce being a standout. Haas is doing everything it can to compete with Willians for the tail of the grid.

Great battle between Hamilton and Leclerc made the race worth while, other than that, it was sloppy and free of real battles everywhere else. Off to race circuits with turns in them and I'd be suprised if Mercedes doesn't make it a hat trick.

[proteus]

Bottas' try really makes you appreciate Hamilton. He was literally stuck behind Leclerc, without a single mistake. Ham's pressure is relentless, Leclerc is the next guy who can't stand it and cracks (after Rosberg and Vettel).

I still think that Bottas isn't good enough for a nr 2 driver. I mean he is solid, but if that was a fight for the championship between Ham and Lec, he would be of no use.

Not really. Hamilton also went wide and lost the time. At the end he blew his tyres. Bottas had to destroy his in first stint. Bottas was more or less as close as Hamilton, but Ferrari was too strong in the straights and Leclerc allways had someone to pass and get a tow/DRS.

Also i must point out that drivers are really losing their respect for each other, pushing each other wide, off the track and rejoining in dangerous manner. Vettel in particular was loud about safety and he was the one who drove his side right into Stroll.

[Wynters]

Do you think guys that Lewis did throw away his only chance in this race when he moved to the left of Charles too early instead of wait until arriving at the braking zone and then dive bomb into the inside?

Even if he'd overtaken LeClerc, the Ferrari would've just breezed past at the next straight.

On a different note, interesting penalty for Albon. Why lose time stuck behind another car, just straight line a chicane or two and then extend the gap to five seconds. It's a shame Verstappen didn't realise that at the start, he could've avoided Perez and overtaken half the field by simply skipping that entire first chicane. The five second penalty (assuming he didn't just get a meaningless flag waved at him) would be a price well worth paying.

[foxmulder_ms]

Bottas' try really makes you appreciate Hamilton. He was literally stuck behind Leclerc, without a single mistake. Ham's pressure is relentless, Leclerc is the next guy who can't stand it and cracks (after Rosberg and Vettel).

I still think that Bottas isn't good enough for a nr 2 driver. I mean he is solid, but if that was a fight for the championship between Ham and Lec, he would be of no use.

Exactly.

[siskue2005]

Regarding the start, I noticed Lewis had his left hand a lot higher, almost on the top left of the steering wheel. Quite unusual.

[cooken]

Wondering what Ocon would have done in Bottas position today. ?

Crashed into Hamilton at the first chicane.

[GPR-A]

Wondering what Ocon would have done in Bottas position today. ?

Crashed into Hamilton at the first chicane.

He is talking about Ocon, not Verstappen.

[epo]

So, Honda's progress is impressive this year, but still not enough. On a power circuit, Perez using a new Spec 2 PU managed to be ahead of Verstappen, who was on a new Spec 4 PU, for pretty much half the race! Critically, Racing Point doesn't get the same grade fuel from Petronas that Mercedes gets, who supposedly have introduced a new grade fuel in Hungary, with reportedly, a 18 HP boost!

We'll see, I suspect he was in a lower engine mode all race just to preserve for Japan.

[Phil]

I agree with cooken though (yes, talking about Ocon).