Tensions are running high ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with a series of elite stars feeling the pressure creeping in.
All eyes will be on the blooming rivalry that is Max Verstappen and Lando Norris today, as the Brit fully intends once again to put the Red Bull icon under the spotlight and show that his time has come.
Norris and Verstappen have been simmering this week, with the former coming out to publicly insist he had not been purposefully mocking his counterpart by copying his catchphrase on the McLaren team radio.
Verstappen has sights on claiming the crown at Monza, while his long-standing rival Lewis Hamilton is currently putting himself on blast.
Hamilton admitted he was livid with himself for his actions in qualifying, which he believes may have cost him a real chance in Sunday’s showpiece.
It is an emotional weekend for Hamilton, who has finally had his full time successor at Mercedes confirmed in young upstart Kimi Antonelli.
It was F1’s worst-kept secret, but now that the news is out the reality is creeping in for Hamilton; his Mercedes days are rapidly coming to an end.
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Delighted Charles Leclerc still backs McLaren
Ferrari were able to hold off McLaren as Charles Leclerc claimed victory, but the celebratory winner still believes that their rivals will be the team to run Red Bull close this season.
“Our package was working well on a track like Monza but whether it will be the same for the rest of the season I doubt,” Leclerc said in his post-race interview.
“I still think McLaren are favourites but we have done a step forwards, that’s for sure.
“Baku is a pretty nice track for me, so maybe we can achieve something special there [at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix next time out].”
7 hours ago15:21 Jack McEachen
Charles Leclerc wins Italian Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc has won the Italian Grand Prix for the second time in his career, with the home fans roaring him on for a Ferrari home victory.
The Tifosi’s strategy kept frontrunners Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris behind Leclerc, as the McLaren duo finished second and third respectively.
Lewis Hamilton finished P5, one place ahead of Max Verstappen, who fumed at the Red Bull team on several occasions throughout the race.
Charles Leclerc powering ahead of Lando Norris to win the Italian GP. (Image: Getty.)7 hours ago15:03 Jack McEachen
Ferrari hoping to hold off Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri is sat in third place, behind the two Ferraris, but has fresh tyres and will hope to overtake the two and prevent a home Tifosi victory.
Charles Leclerc leads the birthday boy Carlos Sainz, with the pair both having over 20 laps on their tyres already.
But Piastri has both in his sights, with Lando Norris just behind after overtaking Max Verstappen.
Oscar Piastri snatches lead from Lando Norris
An impressive move from Oscar Piastri saw him take the Italian Grand Prix lead from his team-mate Lando Norris.
The two McLarens worked together to block the front of the grid, with George Russell forced off the track, putting the Tangerines in a strong position.
But Piastri then advanced on Norris and overtook him on the outside, with Charles Leclerc then moving ahead of the Brit again in another underwhelming start for last week’s race winner.
War ThunderPlay War Thunder now for freeBlinkist MagazineThe Company That’s Harder To Get Into Than Harvardby TaboolaSponsored Links8 hours ago13:39 Jack McEachen
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri free to race
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri start today’s race as the front two, with concerns raised over whether McLaren will allow them both to fight for the win.
But team CEO Zak Brown has confirmed that there are no plans to order them to concede second place.
“Always nervous,” Brown told Martin Brundle. “A long run to the first corner. The field is incredibly tight so I am not anticipating a Netherlands repeat, although that would be nice. I think any of the top seven cars can win this race.
“The team orders are don’t trip over each other. We have a plan, discussed with both drivers. They drive for the team and are free to race.”
9 hours ago12:37 Danny Gallagher
Hamilton silences interviewer
Hamilton was in a self-deprecating mood during his interview with Lawrence Barretto after qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. The seven-time world champion labelled himself ‘not very good’ at qualifying in a wild statement.
Hamilton, who with 104 has the most pole positions in F1 history, could only manage a sixth-place qualifying finish, three places behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell. As has been the case so many times this season, the Brit looked strong during the early phases of the session, but couldn’t put together a strong lap when it counted.
In his interview with F1 TV after qualifying, Hamilton was asked why he couldn’t fight the McLaren drivers for pole position. He replied solemnly: “Yeah… because I’m not very good. Simple as. Simple as that. I’m just not very good at qualifying.”
READ MORE.
Lewis Hamilton called himself out in the middle of an interview (Image: GETTY)10 hours ago11:45 Danny Gallagher
Rosberg knows Mclaren intentions
Lando Norris has surged into a real contender this year, and Nico Rosberg beieves he has worked out what Mclaren are now all about.
The former world champion explained what he thinks will be McLaren’s priority this year, noting: ” What matters most here is OK…for a team it’s the money and the Constructors’ Championship.
“But, I mean for prestige and everything it’s the Drivers’ Championship that matters the most and McLaren have a real opportunity here if they put all the eggs in Lando’s basket.
“You have to do that and I think also the fans would be accepting of that if the scenario comes in the race.
“As Lando has shown that he is the fastest driver out there.”
11 hours ago10:36 Danny Gallagher
Antonelli’s father clears up private chat
imi Antonelli’s dad has already made clear his dedication to Mercedes. The 18-year-old was officially confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows have shown a lot of faith in the young Italian driver, who’s been a part of the junior programme since 2019. That’s despite growing up just a matter of miles away from Ferrari’s Maranello base, having been born in nearby Bologna.
While Antonelli did hold talks with the Prancing Horse prior to joining Mercedes, his dad Marco insisted he’s never looked back since. Asked if there’d been contact with them after the Monaco Grand Prix in May, he told Italian outlet Fanpage: “Absolutely not since he joined the Mercedes Academy.
“He was racing with the Ferrari brand when he made his karting debut and at the time there was Massimo Rivola (now CEO of Aprilia Racing in MotoGP) as head of the Ferrari Driver Academy who wanted to include him in the program straight away.”
12 hours ago09:41 Danny Gallagher
Verstappen lays into Red Bull
A cat among the pigeons, as Verstappen awkwardly takes aim at his own team and Red Bull’s spending habits.
Team principal Christian Horner believes Red Bull have the fourth-fastest car now and if that continues for the rest of the year then they’ll lose both championships.
Speaking to the Dutch outfit De Telegraaf, Verstappen explained where Red Bull might have gone wrong at Monza.
Talking about qualifying in the paddock, Verstappen said: “Although it doesn’t help here that we don’t have a special Monza rear wing.
“That’s not ideal, considering the top speed. We never had that in the past years either, but then the car was good enough to compensate for that.
“Now it’s something we might have to do next year. Now the team has made a different choice and they’d rather spend the money on something else.
“But if you already have problems with the car, this makes it even worse. But of course, it’s not our only problem.”
13 hours ago09:09 Danny Gallagher
Norris plays down Verstappen angst
Lando Norris is in the middle of a storm.
The Brit has continued to insist that he has not been intending to outwardly mock his newfound riva Max Verstappen.
Norris beat Verstappen to pole position and victory on the reigning world champion’s home soil at Zandvoort, with his winning margin coming in at a whopping 22.8 seconds after a particularly dominant drive.
Asked during an interview with Sky Sports F1 about uttering the “simply lovely” phrase that has been used so frequently by Verstappen in recent years, Norris offered his side of the story.
“Well, I mean, he’s won a lot of races and he’s done a lot of things,” said Norris. “I don’t know – I’m not prepared for it, I don’t prepare myself for it, so it just felt like the easiest go-to.”
Norris has continued to insist that he has not been intending to outwardly mock his newfound rival (Image: GETTY)
