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The second Grand Prix after the summer break takes place in Italy, in Monza, in the temple of speed, the fastest circuit on the calendar concurrently with Spa. In the outcome of the victory, Ferrari is preparing for another weekend that can only promise well. The layout has favourable characteristics for the Maranello stable, confidence in a replica of the weekend just passed. Before the Italian Grand Prix, AC Milano and SIAS organise a big event in Piazza Duomo: 10.000 fans gather on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, in the centre of Milan to welcome Ferrari's past, present and future. The event, called Ninety Years of Emotions, celebrates not only the ninety years of Ferrari but also those of the now historic Monza circuit that signs on stage the renewal of the contract until 2024. There are many guests: from the starting drivers, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, to the most historical ones such as Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Mario Andretti, Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello and Alain Prost, to FDA pilots Mick Schumacher, Giuliano Alesi, Marcus Armstrong, Robert Schwartzman, Callum Ilott, Enzo Fittipaldi and many others.
There is no shortage of men on the upper floors: the President of ACI, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari, Mattia Binotto, the Vice President of Ferrari, Piero Ferrari, Stefano Domenicali, Maurizio Arrivabene, Jean Todt. The only absence is the president John Elkann, otherwise, the entire history of Ferrari is present. On the small stage in front of the Duomo are exhibited some of the most iconic cars that have made the history of this team such as the 1967 312 F1, driven by Chris Amon, the 312 B3 by Clay Regazzoni, the 126 CK by Gilles Villeneuve, the first turbocharged Ferrari to win a Grand Prix, the IndyCar prototype, the F2002, a single-seater that won a record number of races winning the Drivers' Championship with Michael Schumacher and the Constructors Championship with the contribution of Rubens Barrichello. That's not all, a parade of historic cars was also organised, from the Alfa Romeo 6C driven in the thirties by Tazio Nuvolari to the 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, which pass through the screams of the crowd until they arrive at the Duomo. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of ACI, explains:
"Unforgettable, memorable, unrepeatable ninety years, the great story that has made the sport of the car unique in the eyes of the world. This is the Italian Grand Prix, thanks also to an extraordinary circuit like that of Monza: the fastest, most difficult and most spectacular track in all of Formula 1. It is this extraordinary story that we celebrate - together with Scuderia Ferrari and some of the greatest drivers of yesterday, today and tomorrow - in Piazza Duomo, in Milan. A goal, very important and very prestigious, of course. Not a checkered flag, but rather a green light that will light up to project us towards another 90 years of strong passions, great emotions and unforgettable seasons, which will inflame the hearts of sportsmen, enthusiasts, fans and Ferrari drivers from all over the world".
Mattia Binotto, current team principal of Ferrari and a man with many critical eyes focussed on him, continues:
"The Scuderia Ferrari is made of uniqueness. Its history, of which this year marks 90 years, is unique because it is that of a team that has been able to excel in every category in which it has competed. He won more than any other team in Formula 1 and was able to excel even in the most gruelling competitions, from the Mille Miglia to the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Targa Florio; it was able to excel even in uphill racing and even in motorcycling, at the dawn of its history. Scuderia Ferrari is made up of unique people and has collected triumphs on all continents thus winning an equally unique fan base, which counts fans in every part of the world. It’s in Italy, however, that our adventure is created, and it is therefore in the heart of Milan, in the week of our home Grand Prix, that we decided to embrace all our fans, extraordinary people who never abandon us, even in the most difficult moments, and who is one of the most beautiful representations of what #Essere Ferrari means".
An event that evokes many emotions and strengthens the bond that unites fans to this historic brand, as Vettel said everyone is a Ferrari fan, even if they say they are not, they are and among these fans, some have left the ship, including the former president of Ferrari, Luca Montezemolo, who admits:
"Yes, I miss Ferrari a lot".
The former president receives the warmest welcome, accompanied by the choirs of the crowd "one president, there is only one president", with him Ferrari took home 19 world titles (11 manufacturers and 8 drivers):
"Surprised? More than anything else moved, it means that so many good moments remain inside. I was very pleased about their invitation, it means that there isn't jealousy of the past. The 19 titles are not only a good memory for me, but also for the fans. I miss Ferrari a lot, but we have to live not only on memories but on the future. Leclerc? It reminds me of a young Lauda, who learned quickly from mistakes. World Cup closed? In this sport, you can never say it".
Ferrari is certainly a great story that remains in the hearts of everyone, as well as its fans. Piazza Duomo also celebrates the first victory of the season, Charles Leclerc has stopped the fast in Belgium and is ready to repeat himself:
"The victory was a moment I was waiting for and dreamed of as a child, now I had some time to realise what happened, but not too much because I'm focussed on Monza. The first victory is a long-awaited moment, especially when you're at Ferrari, it's a liberation for me and it's also important for the team. Now I dream of a double at Monza".
And he adds:
"In five years I still see myself in Ferrari and world champion. You have to aim hard to grow, it's right to do it".
For the Monegasque, it’s the first Italian Grand Prix at the wheel of a Ferrari and the fright in front of the red tide is felt:
"We're very full, it's impressive to see so many people and everyone in red. Last year it had already been very nice to drive for Alfa Romeo, in Monza, but now I can't imagine what it might mean to do it with Ferrari. Our top speed is good, in qualifying we can be very strong, we have to manage them well to do pole, aware that Mercedes in the race is very strong. Ferrari is like a religion, it's not like that with other teams. There's a whole nation behind a team, if you're Italian and you don't cheer Ferrari you're almost not normal".
Sebastian Vettel is also confident. Spa's weekend did not go as expected, due to a lack of feeling with the car he had to change strategy and compete for the good of the team, slowing down Mercedes and helping Leclerc with his first victory.
"Yes, we're loaded. Monza is always very exciting, there are so many people, so many fans. The ovation towards me? Monza is always like that, normally it isn't. And it’s a pleasure. Ferrari is Tifosi. At Monza, we will try the double. Impossible for a German to promise something, just Michael maybe. But I feel in the family".
Thoughts after meeting a guy with the Scuderia Ferrari and the name of the German driver tattooed on his chest.
"We want to do very well here after Spa, we also have a strong car. The first victory obtained in Belgium is important for the team and Charles. It's been a difficult year for us, we're not happy with how it went, so we're happy with the result of Spa. Let's hope that here too it goes similarly, with another of our very strong beautiful races. Maybe this time we are the favourites. Is there a risk of rain? The weather can be decisive but we can't do anything about it".
He is also asked the question about the future:
"I don't know if in five years I'll still be in Formula 1, now I like it was ten years ago, maybe more because I'm in Ferrari. For me now it only matters this weekend".
The next day the two drivers of the Maranello team move to Monza, with a little more pressure and motivation to give the fans the promised double. A feat not so surreal, after all the speed is there, the riders also and in addition have already taken off a great weight from their shoulders. Verstappen will start from the last row following the replacement of the power unit, previously tested on Kvyat and Albon. The winning key at Spa was teamwork, so it is necessary to maintain this mindset and ensure the same collaboration between the two drivers during the Grand Prix, a strength that could also prove to be the Achilles heel. Charles Leclerc comments:
"I didn't do much to celebrate the victory in Belgium, but it's a beautiful feeling. It gives me confidence and now I can focus on the future and aim for more victories. At Spa it was a very difficult weekend, we knew that even with the performance we had it would be complicated because Mercedes were very strong on race pace. But we put everything together and there was a lot of teamwork, both mine and especially Sebastian Vettel's, who kept Hamilton behind for a couple of laps and helped me. I'm glad I hit this first victory, it's always difficult to take the first step but when you can you take a lot of weight and I'm proud of this. But there's not much time to think about it again, we're here and we have to focus on the work to do in Monza".
And regarding his relationship with Vettel, he adds:
"The relationship is good, we found the right compromise between competition and collaboration to improve the car and work for the team. Every time we're on track I want to beat him and he wants to beat me but outside we share information, and talk, we try our best to help the team get the car where we would like it to be. What if Seb leaves Ferrari and Hamilton arrived in 2021? For now, I'm very happy with him, of course, he's important in a team. But I'll adapt to anyone who comes close to me. Can relations between us be ruined if one of them is better? We found a way to live together, as people we have a great relationship with, and as drivers, we want to beat each other. I hope the relationship remains intact. I knew he was a good person from the beginning. In my first year at Ferrari Driver Academy, he wrote me a letter at Christmas to thank me for the work in the simulator. I was 16 years old, it was the most beautiful gift I could have. A vote in my season so far? The first races were from 6, then I think I went up to seven and a half and now I want to improve this vote further".
Vettel, on the other hand, does not like to unbalance himself and declares:
"The Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari is the most important race of the season for us and here I have many memories, starting from my first victory in Formula One in 2008. Here with Ferrari, I got on the podium but never on the top step. It's an important race for us, I'm sure the audience will give us a nice boost and it's the right opportunity to give something more. We hope to do something 'heavy', we have a nice opportunity and we think we're ready but I don't see it as an opportunity to either go or split it, there are still a lot of races ahead and then there are so many elements that can make a difference in a GP. We must be cautiously optimistic and realistic, trying to start ahead to have the best opportunities. I can't make predictions but, being a similar track in terms of the set-up of the cars, we hope to be as competitive as at Spa. In qualifying, we seem to have a certain advantage but in the race, the values are very close to Mercedes. The key is to understand how to manage the tyres, find the right set-up to be comfortable and get the most out of the car. I expect a tight battle but I think we can have something to say".
While the same question is asked to the teammate, the German driver answers:
"My relationship with Leclerc compared to Raikkonen? There are more words... It's very strong, it's fast, it's mature. It's one thing to go fast to normal things, it's one thing to do it under special circumstances: this makes a difference in a driver. It's good for the team and also for me because I enjoy the fight. So far he has been kind and honest, we don't hide things and this is crucial for the team. We want to get Ferrari back to the top with a car that wipes out the others, we still don't have it but we work together for this purpose Charles and I, together, we do it. We try to collaborate to push the team, the car is not yet at the level we would like, it is not a car that can win all the races, but I think that one day we will have it and we can fight anywhere to win. We didn't do the season we wanted, we started the second half well but we have to be realistic: Mercedes is always the favourite because it is in a position to win every race, something that we miss and that we must achieve".
Ferrari then arrives in Monza with clear ideas. The Maranello team will mount the spec 3 of its power unit, already introduced in Belgium but only used by Alfa Romeo and Haas. The choice is given by the evidence that you want to make the most of the speed on the straights, the strength of Monza and Ferrari itself, as Mattia Binotto declares.
"Monza is a track where we run at very high average speeds, with long straights and heavy braking, with a low downforce package. This weekend, we plan to debut the third evolution of the power unit. We saw in Belgium that, to win, we have to do everything perfectly and our goal is to do exactly that in Monza too. There will be no room for mistakes. Our home race is always important, but this is particularly true this time, as we celebrate 90 years of Scuderia Ferrari. Running in front of our home fans is always an extra boost and an additional motivation to do well. Besides anything else, there is no podium like Monza and we think there is no better crowd than the Italian one".
In contrast to the euphoria surrounding Ferrari, there is Lewis Hamilton, not as well received by Italian fans. The five-time World Champion aims for his sixth title, getting closer and closer to the idol of the Italians, Michael Schumacher, in a season that seems already written.
"At Monza it's difficult, there are more straights and the last time at a circuit so we finished second. We'll have to be able to reach Ferrari's speed. After the break, we knew it would be hard. In Belgium, they were faster than we thought. Seeing their fans is incredible. Monza is one of the five historic circuits, the atmosphere is crazy, and there are many fans. It’s going very fast The best season of my career but the World Cup is not closed, I've never been so constant, even if maybe in a couple of races I didn't go well. It becomes more and more difficult as we get closer to the end. But I only look at my final position, I take one race at a time. I know there will be others stronger, everyone is fierce and wants to win. There are still thousands of miles to cover. We have to manage the body and the time, the races are exhausting".
Michael Schumacher's seven titles, this is Lewis Hamilton's next goal to beat. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff declares that Lewis Hamilton is and remains the staple of the Anglo-German team and that therefore this goal can be achieved:
"He has a spectacular personality. He's the only driver who has heard at a technical meeting not to look at the data because he had driven badly. And he's a 5-time world champion, perhaps the best, with Schumacher. Beat Michael? If we keep giving him a good car, I think he can do it. He's almost six, he's thirty-four years old and I think he has at least 4 more to compete at a high level. Lewis is part of this team and will not make any money-based decisions. He will always choose the best car he can have. He remains our priority".
Speaking of the next Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admits:
"I don’t want to unbalance myself too much, however, among those that remain this is the last very difficult track for us. Monza is a historic circuit and is the home of Ferrari. 95% of the public cheers red. I told the boys that, if we are lucky, we will have to stay calm and humble. And if it rains, we and Red Bull will be the favourites".
Toto Wolff has no problem admitting that the race for the world title was shot on some key episodes:
"On the third day of the second round of testing, we managed to unlock the potential of the car and on the last, we equalled Ferrari times. In Australia, they underestimated us, while Ferrari thought they were far enough ahead. Then the inertia came from ours. Leclerc in Bahrain should have won without the engine problem. A gift, but reliability is important. In Baku, in Ferrari, they bet on the medium tyres in Q2 and Charles slammed. Then there was Vettel's chicane cut in Canada: it was three races that changed the dynamics of the championship".
At Monza, Red Bull Racing decided to mount the new specification of Honda's power unit on Max Verstappen's car. This involves a heavy penalty on the starting grid. Pierre Gasly, on Toro Rosso, also driven by a power unit of the Japanese company, also fell to the same fate. Despite this handicap, Max Verstappen is confident:
"On Sunday I’ll have to overtake some, and I like it. This is a manly circuit on which to try a comeback, and we will be forced to fight a little more than normal. But we also gained more power. Let's look at the rest of the season and the future aware that we can still improve, to be competitive starting next year. Comparing the situation with that of past years we could say that if I had a bad start I would not have lost the position, while with a good start I would have been able to earn one. Now, if I leave well, I keep the position, while if I have a bad start I lose one or two positions. And that's a little unpleasant. I can't go into detail about what it is, it's a bit of a secret. The technical team knows what the problem is, but it's really difficult to solve. If all goes well, now with the new engine it should be a little better. But it's about the start just released the clutch, the phase between the first and second gears. That moment is difficult".
And talking about the Belgian Grand Prix, the Dutch driver emphasises:
“It was a weekend of contrasting sensations at Spa, but I’m happy to have a new appointment to get back on track right away. Monza is a superfast circuit, which makes it a lot of fun to drive, but it will be a challenge for us and, as for Spa, it is not the best track for us. For me, the best parts are the high-speed sections and the braking of the Parabolica which is not easy, but when it succeeds it's nice. Monza has so much history and the fans are among the most passionate we see all year round. There's a lot of red in the stands, but we hope that the orange army will also be present to support us to the maximum this weekend".
At Monza, Alex Albon is questioned by the media about his performance in Belgium and the comeback that saw him as the protagonist. The Thai driver replies:
"The first stint was really difficult, with the medium tyres I struggled. I was worrying a bit because I wasn't recovering on anyone in front, but once we averaged it was quite simple. We had a good car available, I overtook some drivers, and it was a lot of fun".