The rivals, Red Bull and McLaren, are hopeful, but Ferrari remains unfazed. On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, in Paris, during the World Council, the overtaking maneuver by Alonso against Massa will be examined. This maneuver allowed the Spaniard to win at Hockenheim, but race stewards deemed it unsporting, imposing a $100.000 fine on the Maranello team. The discussion is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and there is a risk of further sanctions against the Spanish driver. If coinciding with a points penalty (cancellation of the victory and the 25 points earned), it could definitively eliminate him from the race for the World Championship. However, Ferrari is calm and ready to present its arguments. The team will be represented by team principal Stefano Domenicali (who is also a member of the World Council), possibly with its lawyers. The two drivers will not travel to Paris, but, upon the prosecution's request, they may be heard via video conference, as the World Council does not accept written defensive statements. The stakes are high; the Maranello team still believes in a comeback, aiming to win at Monza, and does not want to see its dream nullified prematurely with a political sanction. For days, they have developed a defensive strategy based on two pillars: precedents regarding alleged team orders and the notion that Formula 1, with its enormous economic interests, must be considered a team sport, where drivers are enrolled by a team and represent it before their personal aspirations. The precedents are clear: team orders were banned in 2002 after the Zeltweg incident (Ferrari's Barrichello yielding victory to Schumacher). Since then, the World Council has intervened only once (positions frozen in 2007 in Monte Carlo, with Alonso's victory and Hamilton's second place), concluding the case with McLaren's acquittal. No action was taken in 2008 when Raikkonen (Ferrari) let Massa pass in Shanghai, nor this year in Turkey when McLaren ordered Button not to overtake Hamilton. Why, they wonder in Maranello, should the story change now? Ferrari did not harm any rival, and now they expect a full acquittal. Indeed, on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, a complete victory is achieved for Ferrari. The Maranello team receives no penalty for Alonso's overtake on Massa at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. The decision is unanimous. Ferrari is only confirmed the $100.000 fine. Not law, not justice, nor sport; in Paris, common sense has prevailed. For Formula 1, it's practically a miracle. During the meeting, there is also a proposal to review the rule prohibiting team orders. Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of Aci Csai, announces this at the end of the World Council meeting. The FIA will begin discussing how to modify it at the next council meeting in November, but the most likely outcome is its removal.
"Nobody respects it".
Says President Jean Todt late in the evening, when everything is over for the better. He seems to have lifted a weight off his shoulders; the process was burdened (and actually still is) by the dark shadow of the conflict of interest he has been living with for a while. Besides being the president of the Federation, he is also the father of Nicolas Todt, who is Massa's manager—the man who was both the defendant in today's trial and the aggrieved party of the recognized team order (he would have won if the team hadn't favored Alonso). But that's how it is. In the end, no one got hurt too much. And this, after all, aside from some predictable expressions of pain from English journalists and technicians, was the best outcome one could wish for, according to President Todt.
"Sure, Ferrari did something they shouldn't have, but it was considered that the penalty decided by the stewards at Hockenheim was sufficient. However, it must be admitted that the Red Team would still have secured first and second place in that Grand Prix".
Ferrari is satisfied, even though their defense collapsed against the truth proven by radio recordings, telemetry, logic, and the common sense that ultimately saved them. Stefano Domenicali, the team principal, admits it sincerely:
"We have never changed our version of events, and the FIA has deemed it appropriate to confirm the penalty decided by the stewards".
On the other hand, the satisfaction for the political triumph - the absurdity of the rule has always been a strong argument for Domenicali - is undeniable:
"I would like to express appreciation for those who decided to review a rule that has no reason to exist".
Having expressed appreciation, there is nothing left but to turn the page. On Sunday, September 12, there is the Monza Grand Prix, and if Ferrari, thanks to this sentence, still has some chance of saying something in the World Championship, they must win it. They must do it well, possibly placing Massa between themselves and the rivals, as Hamilton and Webber seem almost unbeatable by now. Otherwise, the abandonment of the fight for the World Championship, just avoided, would be only postponed by a few days, without even the comfort or excuse of having suffered an unjust sentence. In the first part of the day, the World Council dealt with the new rules for the next season. The 2011 World Championship will be contested over the course of 20 races, one more than the current edition. The new Grand Prix added to the calendar is that of India, scheduled for Sunday, October 30, 2010, on the track that is being built about 50 km from New Delhi. When the facility is approved by the FIA, the race will become the 18th of the season. Twelve teams will participate in the 2011 World Championship, and there will be no entry for a thirteenth team. The FIA has received and evaluated the documentation from the teams that applied to enter the circus.
"It was decided that no application met the requirements for admission to the World Championship. Consequently, the place for the thirteenth team will not be assigned".
Another decision made by the FIA concerns drivers who will be involved in private road infractions. The Federation will submit an amendment to the current International Sporting Code to the General Assembly. According to the FIA, drivers must act as ambassadors for the sport and ensure that their conduct on the road is exemplary and complies with safety regulations. Anyone holding a super license, according to the amendment, must also have a regular driver's license. "The Code will be amended to clarify that if a holder of an international super license is involved in a serious road accident, assessed by national police authorities, depending on the severity of the case, the FIA may issue a reprimand or bring the matter before the International Disciplinary Court, which could temporarily suspend or permanently withdraw the license.
"I really hope to break the Monza taboo".
Concluding the discussion on the World Council, Felipe Massa gets into race mode in anticipation of the eagerly awaited Italian Grand Prix. And he takes it seriously. Not only because he knows it holds special meaning for Ferrari, but also because he has never achieved great results on the Monza circuit, never surpassing sixth place in 2008, in a wet race.
"Yes, it's true, it has never brought me much luck. In 2007, for example, I was among the top 3 but couldn't finish the race. But I must say that I have always liked the track. I have won here in other categories: twice in Formula Renault and once in Formula 3000".
Massa explains how Monza differs from others:
"It remains the only track in the championship that requires such a low aerodynamic load. The car is very different here compared to any other circuit, as we run with very small wings that require good mechanical grip and a good approach to the curbs".
The Brazilian is decidedly confident:
"I believe our car can be competitive. I hope so because usually the F10 has performed well this year on tracks with sharp braking at the end of straights leading into slow corners, like in Bahrain, Hockenheim, and Canada".
In Spa, Massa stopped just short of the podium. The goal is to resume and, if possible, improve the interrupted conversation.
"In Spa, considering everything that happened in the race, fourth place after starting sixth was a good result, but in terms of points, we needed something more. Therefore, it is clear that there will be a bit more pressure this weekend. Just think about the many fans I'll see in the stands... And then I want to do well because I consider Italy my second home after Brazil".
One of the main candidates to hinder him is undoubtedly the leader of the World Championship, Lewis Hamilton, who, at least in words, snubs Ferrari:
"The most dangerous opponents on Sunday? The standings say it will be Red Bull and my teammate Button...".
However, the British driver would be particularly keen on triumphing:
"I grew up watching the Italian Grands Prix. The old circuits are the most interesting. Winning here would be a dream. I like Monza; it's a beautiful place: not just for the track but also for the pizza and the people".
The week is right, warm enough to fuel dreams. Fernando Alonso, fifth in the Formula 1 World Championship standings, is ready to fight in the final stretch of the season, starting from Sunday, in his debut at Monza with the Ferrari suit.
"In this championship, things can change very quickly with the new points rules. Our goal is to do six races at most: we do our best and then see what happens".
Moreover, points out the Spanish driver:
"Among the last chances to recover ground in the standings are Monza and Singapore. There are six races left, and we aim to be on the podium in Monza. It is important; we must be more aggressive and attack in the race".
Determined to narrow the gap from the quartet leading the World Championship, Alonso wouldn't consider it a disaster if he failed to win the coveted title in his first season with Ferrari.
"Every season that starts, you want to become champions, and if you don't achieve that goal, you're sorry for yourself and the team. But terms like failure or disaster are not appropriate. This season at Ferrari is incredible, the best of my life, and I am very happy".
And Felipe Massa warns:
"I still have the chance to win the World Championship; let's see what happens. A completely red one-two at the end of the race is possible. We will do our best to win the race, hoping the car performs well to satisfy the fans. Winning here would be fantastic. My family is Italian; I have an Italian passport and feel like a home driver. I still have the chance to win the championship; let's see what happens".
There are those who grumble, and there are those who calculate on this strange eve of the Italian Grand Prix. The grumblers are the usual English - journalists and drivers - disappointed by one of the most paradoxical judgments in history, the one in which the FIA preferred to condemn (to death) the rule that prohibits (or prohibited?) team orders and instead absolve Ferrari, but only after declaring them guilty. Those who calculate, however, are the Ferrari team, or rather, Fernando Alonso, since the other driver from the Maranello team, Felipe Massa, seems increasingly lost in his seasonal failure. The Spanish driver's calculations are complicated. How many real chances are there to regain control of this World Championship? Making tables is almost impossible. There are still five drivers in contention (Hamilton 182, Webber 179, Vettel 151, Button 147, and Alonso 141), and 150 points available, distributed over six races, including the Italian one. This means that Alonso, to recover the 41 points behind, will have to earn 6.8 more points than Hamilton each time. But it might not be enough if the others ahead of him do better. It requires an extraordinary effort, in short. Which appears titanic when viewed from another perspective. Hamilton, this year, averages 14 points per race. This means that, at this rate, the world quota would be set at 266 points. In other words, if Hamilton were to continue like this, without making mistakes, Alonso would have to score at least 125 points out of 150. Too many. It's better to stop counting, then. And try to focus on each race, hoping for the unexpected.
"I still believe that if we manage to get on the podium in all the remaining races, it will be possible to still be in the running at the last Grand Prix".
In Fernando's mind, the key appointments, the ones where Ferrari can change the face of the season, are the next two: Monza, where brakes, engine, and mechanical grip of the car matter, and Singapore, where the track is very similar to Monte Carlo, where Alonso had shown clear superiority before crashing into a wall.
"We are probably not at the last chance yet, but our chances are certainly linked to the results we will achieve in these two races. During which if we were to retire or have other problems, then we could really say goodbye to the championship. But make no mistake: we want to have six races of the highest level. We can do it. Then we'll see what happens".
Someone who seems not to realize exactly the situation is Felipe Massa. Not content with having sabotaged, along with his race engineer, Ferrari at Hockenheim (the unnecessary dance that forced engineers to give that fateful team order cost a $100.000 fine plus the horrendous fees of the lawyers who went to Paris), the Brazilian still makes bizarre proclamations:
"I too can fight for victory on Sunday, for two reasons: first because winning here would be fantastic, since I feel a bit Italian, and second because I am still in the running for the world title".
He has 109 points in the standings and is not out yet: he just has to win them all from now on. Mathematics is on his side, but only that. Also because on Friday, September 10, 2010, Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in the second free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix. The German Red Bull driver completed the lap in 1'22"839, preceding the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso by 0.076s. Third time for the other Ferrari of Felipe Massa, ahead of the McLaren of the World Championship leader, Lewis Hamilton. The defending World Champion, Jenson Button, with the other McLaren, follows in fifth place, ahead of Mark Webber's Red Bull.
In addition, Felipe Massa ended the practice early due to going off track at the Parabolica. No problem for the driver. In the first free practice session, Jenson Button had been immediately fast at Monza. The English driver of McLaren-Mercedes clocked 1’23"693, ahead of Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull, the other McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, and the Renault of the Pole Robert Kubica. While the usual words are spoken, the faces at Ferrari are not those of better times. The impression is that beyond the second and third places in the time rankings of the second free practice session, neither Alonso nor Massa expected to struggle so much to find the balance of their car. The Brazilian explains:
"We struggled a lot, especially in the morning, but we did a good job. Now let's see what happens in qualifying".
Alonso is even more explicit:
"We need to try to stay calm because it's true that in the end the car went well, but it's also true that the expectations that this creates can turn out to be false. Like other times when on Friday we finished second and third, and then on Saturday, we organized a funeral".
The splendid anomaly of the Monza circuit suggests caution.
"Everyone struggled here today, and we also tried many different solutions. And now we are ready. Although it will be very difficult: the Red Bull is proving more competitive than expected, and McLaren, which could be the favorite, seems very comfortable on this circuit where top speed matters, but also, very much, braking".
And perhaps that's why no one is surprised, on Friday evening, by the best time recorded by Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull. Ferrari's team principal, Stefano Domenicali, assures:
"We will do everything possible to win because we need it for the world championship and because this is our home Grand Prix".
On Saturday, September 11, 2010, Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the final free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix. The British driver of McLaren-Mercedes, who did not use the F-duct, clocked 1’22"498, ahead of Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull and the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and the Brazilian Felipe Massa, who had an off-track excursion. Behind the F10s, Jenson Button's McLaren-Mercedes placed, followed by Nico Rosberg's Mercedes and Mark Webber's Red Bull. There is great anticipation in Monza for Ferrari, called to achieve a positive result to stay in the race for the World Championship. Luca Montezemolo is optimistic, although he admits to having many regrets about how the season has developed so far. The Ferrari president, accompanied by John and Lapo Elkann, explains:
"There are many regrets; we have collected less than we could for many reasons. But let's look at today, let's aim to do well. We have always done well at Monza, and I have fond memories. I am 63 years old, have been in Formula 1 since 1973, and every time, I feel the same excitement, the same anxiety, the same hope of doing well. Friday counts for nothing; Saturday counts a lot, and Sunday counts a lot. I see a lot of audience and a lot of passion".
A few hours later, in the first qualifying session, all six cars from the new teams were knocked out, with Jarno Trulli in the Lotus leading among them in 18th. His teammate Heikki Kovalainen was 19th, followed by Vitantonio Liuzzi, whose Force India had technical issues.
Timo Glock had originally been ahead of Liuzzi in his Virgin, but he was given a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox, putting him at the very back. Lucas di Grassi was 21st in the other Virgin ahead of Bruno Senna and Sakon Yamamoto in the HRTs. There were no real surprises in the second qualifying session either, as the two BMW Saubers of Kamui Kobayashi (13th) and Pedro de la Rosa (17th) were eliminated along with the Toro Rossos of Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, the Force India of Adrian Sutil, and Michael Schumacher's Mercedes. Also eliminated was Vitaly Petrov, who qualified his Renault 15th but was given a five-place grid drop for blocking Glock in the first session. Rubens Barrichello scraped into the top 10 and qualified tenth in his Williams, just behind Robert Kubica in the other Renault. It was a good performance from the other Williams of Nico Hülkenberg, who out-qualified his teammate to qualify eighth. Nico Rosberg was probably pleased with seventh in the Mercedes, but then came the championship contenders. A mistake put Sebastian Vettel sixth, and it was a tough day for his Red Bull team as Mark Webber could only qualify fourth in the sister RB6. The two McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button had chosen completely different car setups, and it did not work out for Hamilton who could qualify only fifth. It was looking good for Ferrari in front of their home crowd, and Felipe Massa qualified third. It was their day as Button was pipped to pole by Fernando Alonso, the 19th pole of the Spaniard's career.
"This pole is dedicated to our fans; I am happy for Alonso and also for Massa. Tomorrow, we'll fight, the championship is still open".
says Luca Montezemolo at the end of qualifying. The Ferrari president still considers the race for the World Championship open:
"I am happy that all this happened on a track that has always given us so much joy. Now we have to try to win tomorrow. For us, for our fans, and for the World Championship".
And Fernando Alonso is ecstatic.
"It's a beautiful surprise. Tomorrow, at least a podium is needed. When they told me at the pits that I was holding the pole position, some cars were still running, I thought someone would come at the last minute to snatch the pole from me. Instead, this time I held on until the checkered flag. It's a beautiful surprise, a great satisfaction. At least a podium is needed to stay in the championship race. I don't feel particular stress, but we can't afford any more mistakes. If we can win, it will be fantastic. Tomorrow, we have the chance to achieve an excellent result; then we'll see what the others do and do the math".
The delirium is red. Because, as Alonso says, there is no better place than Monza to kick the curse of pole position. It has been a long time since Ferrari looked down on everyone; it has been since November 1, 2008, that a Maranello car sent its driver to bed with the joy that he would wake up at the top of the grid. In the 31st race, the feat everyone is waiting for, the winning flash, Alonso who tricks Button by 0.122s and sends the fans in the stands into ecstasy, the Spaniard who clings to his last chance, a triumph in Monza, in Ferrari's land, to continue dreaming of winning the World Championship, to try to keep the promise to fight for the title until the last race. Alonso is the king, and in his unrestrained celebration, there is the awareness of having accomplished a feat. He caresses the car, punches the helmet, hugs everyone, mechanics, team members, anyone who comes his way. Ferrari is there, confident in its chances. And above all, its leader believes in it. At the Monza track, where Maranello has not won since 2006 - Schumacher's last victory in his adventure in red - he asks for an important turning point, a swerve in the sprint for the championship, the same that succeeded twice, in 2000 and 2003, to his illustrious predecessor. Alonso is aware of honors and risks.
"We have a great opportunity because here Red Bull seems to be struggling. We'll hardly find them in such trouble in Singapore; it's our moment, and we have to take advantage of it. We have a fantastic chance, but we must not fail it. If we waste it, it's over".
For him, wasting it means not finishing on the podium. It's the minimum goal he has set, but he knows that a third-place would be too little. Victory is necessary, even if he avoids such categorical statements. It's a matter of psychology.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, nor do I want to transmit the anxiety of winning at all costs to the team. Ours is a winning mentality; our box never gives up, but we are not at the last call yet".
However, it is not far off. And then, how often do you get such an opportunity? The fans who will storm the racetrack today have no doubts: Alonso is great and must win. Cannibal as Schumacher was, the German who was among the first to congratulate the Spaniard. The former idol Michael once again got lost in the rear; never like yesterday, in the land that loved him so much, did the passing of the torch between him and Alonso feel, and yet his words are sweet:
"I'm happy for him, happy for Ferrari. He has to win here and keep hoping. The World Championship is still long; don't give up".
Something Alonso has no intention of doing. To those who remind him of Schumacher's vital triumphs here, he replies:
"Taking his results in Ferrari as an example would be a very serious mistake. He is unreachable; I prefer to build my dream step by step".
Paris, a closed chapter without damage, was a fundamental step; now, at Monza, he has to do the rest.
"The car is extraordinary, even Massa was very fast; on Friday, we worked great, optimizing everything we have, the one-two is possible".
Words that warm the heart and will fill the stands even more. Hamilton, Webber, Vettel, for once, are extras; the fever of Saturday is all from Maranello. However, pay attention to Massa's warning:
"Here at the first corner, anything can happen".
The dream of the Spanish driver? Easy: Beating Button. And the two Ferraris flying across the finish line. And a World Championship that reopens. When the Red Bull runs out, and Lambrusco starts flowing again, then the Monza paddock finally returns to its usual self. So, waiting for the day of truth, you find yourself seeing Montezemolo's smile dominating, uncontested, the Monza scene as in the good old times. A cheerful village, populated by a swarm of VIPs and almost VIPs, all gathered around the red Ferrari fire. In the last twenty-four hours, everything has been seen around here. Fabio Capello seen loosening his jaw and venting with Stefano Domenicali, Hugh Grant seen jotting down a fan's number on his hand, Lapo Elkann seen hugging practically everyone in the paddock for the exhausting fan photos, in front of his brother John Elkann. But above all, he was seen, the president, in a state of uncontrollable euphoria. The debut number is as follows. Niki Lauda, now a very critical TV commentator with Ferrari, asks him for an interview. And he, in front of everyone and with a not entirely friendly demeanor, shoots at him:
"Do you know you're really an idiot?"
Lauda smiles, Montezemolo less. Then he realizes that everyone has noticed the situation and turns to cabaret, takes John by the hand and introduces him:
"Okay, you're an idiot, but you remember that, John, right?"
Lauda tries to respond, but the attempt is in vain. After the interview, the president is ready for the second act. In the middle of the paddock, the revived Flavio Briatore, with blue-tinted glasses and the usual billionaire T-shirt, is about to make a statement to Italian television. A shout interrupts everything:
"Stop. It's all lies".
It's him, Montezemolo. Leaning out from the roof of the motorhome, he smiles, greets everyone. Briatore, one who doesn't like to have the scene taken away from him, also smiles, then nonchalantly whispers a rather mysterious sentence that resembles news.
"Uh... my future employer…".
The postscript, joking, seems insufficient to defuse the situation. And who knows how much it will be appreciated by Stefano Domenicali, whose subsequent questions from reporters will not be able to decipher. But the climax of the Montezemolo show comes shortly after, when Fernando Alonso secures pole position. The president explodes with happiness, runs towards the pit wall, hangs on to the fence like a striker after a goal and starts pointing to the audience; it's a tribute, his:
"This pole is all for them, they are the real engine of Ferrari".
He says, almost screams as he walks away into the sunset, towards the helipad, where his red helicopter awaits to take him home. Sunday, for superstition, there won't be. Errors, bad luck, and who knows what else. Night falls on the paddock, and McLaren and Red Bull, the great rivals, look towards the Ferrari garage and wonder. The most worried are the Anglo-Austrians. Until Friday, undisputed dominators on the track, here at Monza, they seem to have lost a bit of concentration. It was known that the unusual Italian track was not ideal for the cars designed by Adrian Newey, but no one expected so much struggle. Mark Webber admits it:
"We knew it would be tough and that we would find ourselves behind Ferrari and McLaren, so I'm not surprised by the position. What surprises me is the gap that separates us".
Now the goal for Red Bull is to limit the damage:
"The initial goal was not to lose points. And I think it's still the same. Of course, victories are what make the difference, but you can't win all the time. Ferrari is very fast. Fernando was untouchable. So if tomorrow is a boring race, and in the end, we finish as we are on the starting grid, I think it wouldn't be bad at all".
The statement becomes more understandable when considering that on Friday, the car of the Australian driver had some problems with the hydraulic system. Reliability issues, at this point in the World Championship, and especially with his position in the standings (second, 3 points behind Hamilton), could be unpleasant. Different is the McLaren's point of view. The English are very close to Ferrari. Button missed pole position by a few thousandths of a second, and Hamilton, who could settle for finishing ahead of Webber, is further back only because in his best lap, he made some mistakes. But the car is competitive.
Although the leader of the World Championship has some regrets about the aerodynamic choices made by his team.
"Removing the F-duct was a wrong move. As demonstrated by Jenson's second place".
On Sunday, September 12, 2010, at the start of the Italian Grand Prix, Jenson Button has a fantastic start, jumping his McLaren from second past Fernando Alonso's Ferrari. Alonso, who is alongside his teammate Felipe Massa through the turn one chicane, just clips the rear of Button's diffuser, but there is only light damage to the McLaren. As the pack heads down to the second chicane of turns three and four, Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is in fourth, tries to pull a move on Massa, but there is contact between the two. Although Lewis tries to carry on, the front track rod is broken, and he pulls up at the next corner. Massa manages to carry on unscathed. Kamui Kobayashi does start the race but retires his BMW Sauber on the first lap with a gearbox failure. Meanwhile, Mark Webber in the Red Bull is going backward from his fourth place grid slot, and he is ninth at the end of the first lap. He soon re-passes Michael Schumacher's Mercedes at the second chicane on lap 6, with a calm and collected move on the seven-time world champion. A hydraulic failure makes Bruno Senna's HRT the race's third retirement on lap 11. Alonso is harrying Button all the way, and drama occurs further back on lap 20 as Webber's teammate Sebastian Vettel, who has also had a bad start, dropping from 6th to 7th and is harrying Nico Hülkenberg in the Williams to take the place back, complains of an engine issue in the Red Bull's Renault power unit. Webber sails past, and Vettel is just dropping back into the clutches of compatriot Schumacher when he suddenly regains power and begins to close in on Hülkenberg and Webber. Button makes his pit stop on lap 36, and by staying out for one lap longer, Alonso rejoins ahead of Button after his stop, although his teammate Massa actually holds 1st for two laps before his own pit-stop relegates him back to third.
It is very tight as Alonso exits the pits, but the Spaniard just manages to stay ahead by holding the racing line as the two are side by side through turns one and two. Jarno Trulli is the race's next retirement in the Lotus with a gearbox failure on lap 46. After even more off-track adventures for Hülkenberg, he is finally passed by Webber with just four laps to go, and the Aussie is visibly frustrated by then. On the same lap, Lucas di Grassi's Virgin suffers a suspension failure. After his phantom technical failure, the Red Bull mechanics have decided to leave Vettel's stop to the last lap, which they do, and the gamble pays off handsomely as the German emerges from the pits still in fourth place, ahead of his teammate. Alonso crosses the line in first place to the delight of the Tifosi, with Button still less than three seconds in arrears. Massa is third to complete a fantastic double home podium for the Scuderia, while Vettel drives a brilliant recovery drive to bring the Red Bull home fourth, holding off a late challenge from Nico Rosberg, who has had a quiet race for Mercedes. Webber, Hülkenberg, and Robert Kubica's Renault are all in close attendance, while Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello's Williams round out the points. The gigantic roundabout on the red people wobbles under the weight of emotion. It's the snapshot of collective delirium, an unstoppable euphoria, the image of Ferrari's triumph. The Maranello team was perfect in its longest week, adept in Paris, in front of the FIA tribunal, where it suffered no further damages (limiting to economic ones) for the disputed pass at Hockenheim, and impeccable in Monza, in the race to win at all costs, the last chance that Alonso transformed into momentum towards winning the World Championship. On stage, there's an unleashed Spaniard who has no qualms about stating that he has never experienced a Sunday like this in his career.
"I've never felt such immense joy. It's my most beautiful triumph, comparable only to Barcelona 2006, the victory with Renault in front of so many Spaniards. Here the feeling is even more intense".
What makes the difference is not who prevails, although even Domenicali struggles to contain his own happiness, and Massa also makes an effort to smile at everyone, but who is underneath, the red tide, that swarm of flags, those thousands of voices singing the Italian anthem at the top of their lungs. In hindsight, Domenicali, Ferrari's team principal, emphasizes this above all:
"It was an extraordinary moment that fills you with pride, makes you understand what the fans demand from you. It gives you a sense of responsibility but also makes you proud to be Italian. A moment that gets under your skin, and you won't forget it".
An adrenaline rush. Electrifying like this victory, filling the pits with determination, with a desire to believe in the comeback. That ferocity that Alonso has always possessed and that now urges him not to let go. He sums up the suffocating embrace of the fans in one word: shock.
"Seeing all those people was like a shock. I could imagine certain scenes, but they went beyond. Here in Monza, I understood from Thursday what adventure I had gotten into. But I couldn't have imagined such delirium even in my wildest dreams".
Instead, it's all true. As true as the gap from the top of the standings (Webber leading by 21 points) has halved. It can be done, it must be done, so much so that Alonso immediately calls everyone to order:
"We have to celebrate, tonight and for two days in Maranello. But then, back to work for the Singapore Grand Prix. We already know that on that track, Red Bull will be very strong; I also expect a great McLaren, but we must be fast too. There are five finals, no more room for mistakes. Podium at the very least, always. Only this way can we hope for the title".
Also because, from a dreamer with ambitions that seemed a bit whimsical, he has become a perfectionist. The first time at Monza with Ferrari (in 2007, he had triumphed as an enemy with McLaren, a completely different situation) made him insatiable:
"We haven't always given our best this year, too many ups and downs, we need to regain concentration immediately".
The perfect week cannot be in vain; the mad rush towards the impossible comeback must continue. The Spaniard has contributed to this.
"It was a breathtaking success; in one lap, I risked everything, had to re-enter in front of Button".
The mechanics in the pit did the rest.
"It was a superb pit stop".
Beatification, that of Fernando Alonso, amplified by Stefano Domenicali.
"I can only compliment the team. Those on the track and those in the factory who continue to work on development".
To everyone, and therefore also to Massa, although his face is less radiant than others. At the start, he fought with Alonso, risking disaster.
"Too much".
Domenicali states. Then adds:
"However, his race was superb. He is not sad or not serene. He knows that his performances are crucial for the team's fate. And that he, too, can be decisive".
Five drivers and three teams, all squeezed into the tiny circle of 25 points. Ferrari triumphs in its Monza and relaunches greatly in the race for victory in the World Championship, suddenly back within reach: in Singapore, a track favorable enough for the characteristics of the F10 (but also for Red Bull), Alonso will go there third in the standings, with 166 points, only 21 points behind the leader, where the two dissatisfied ones change places, Mark Webber (187 points) and Lewis Hamilton (182 points).
"I wouldn't want to have thrown away the World Championship. It's all my fault. And these are serious mistakes, which usually come at a high price".
Hamilton is ruthless, but only with himself. He doesn't look for culprits for the incident at the start with Massa; he takes it only with his excessive exuberance.
"I should have thought more, avoided such a risky maneuver. Sometimes it's better to restrain your instinct; I had an excellent car, threw away significant points. I fear that with this mistake, I've lost the title, or at least seriously compromised my battle".
Webber also seems angry, despite being in the lead of the World Championship.
"The team in Monza proved inadequate. Hamilton had gone off the track; we should have done more. Such opportunities cannot be wasted".
Moreover, it is surprising how his team once again decided to favor Vettel over Webber, who has 24 more points. The German, with a last-minute pit stop, was thrown into fourth place, taking 2 points away from the Australian. Vettel smiles:
"Those are tactics where you are either a king or the village idiot. This time, it went well for me".
Jenson Button is also happy.
"I could have regrets for not winning, and instead, I enjoy these 18 points. They bring me back into the race for the World Championship".
It was needed. For the spirit, for the championship, for the fans, and for the balance between Alonso and Massa: victory comes like a helping hand, and the Maranello team now dreams and looks towards the final goal of winning the World Championship. Alonso has truly been a champion in this: when everyone had already given up on the Maranello team, in the middle of summer, he rolled up his sleeves and gave interviews around the world to explain a simple concept:
"Don't let go; the championship is still open".
Alonso was right, and his galvanizing strategy paid off. But now, what chance does Ferrari have of winning the World Championship? It's hard to make predictions, but despite Alonso's optimism and the triumph at Monza, bookmakers still see Red Bull as the clear favorite, the phenomenon car of this season. Why? Stefano Domenicali explains it clearly and humbly:
"Singapore is a track where Red Bull will return to their usual levels, McLaren will be very strong, and it will be an even tougher fight than we saw at Monza. After yesterday's joy, we now return to work to prepare every detail for the next final".
Indeed, but why is Red Bull still the favorite? Their thirteen pole positions this year show that the car is the fastest for a very simple reason: in addition to the perfect balance of the car, it has extraordinary aerodynamics, with an unbeatable downforce for everyone else. So, excluding Monza (where aerodynamic load is less important), Red Bull will return to being what it always is, competitive. Furthermore, for Ferrari, now that Webber is leading the World Championship, things worsen because Mark is excellent at managing situations, going for points, as the technicians say. That is, not doing foolish things, a total specialty of Sebastian Vettel. It must be said, however, that after the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari seemed doomed. Stefano Domenicali recalls:
"In Belgium, they were saying that the championship was over. Let's set aside the satisfaction for this Grand Prix and try to focus on the next ones because things will change again. The rivals will become competitive again, and we will face different situations, so I repeat that the important thing is to stay there until the end. Then we'll settle the accounts in Abu Dhabi".
And it's precisely Ferrari's ability to react, its incredible capability to modify the car during the race that could lead to further triumphs. In the fifth-to-last Grand Prix of the season, Ferrari will bring additional updates to remain competitive:
"We will bring some aerodynamic developments related to the bottom of the car. We need to be sure that this goes in the right direction. We hope to have some cards up our sleeves; we are approaching a phase where the car is becoming what you have to carry all the way. We are already preparing more and more resources for next year, but we must keep some room for further development in case we really go down to the last race".
Looking ahead to the next races, Domenicali finds it difficult, given the results of this season, to say where Ferrari is favored:
"The truth is that I believe that this year, no one understands what is happening. I mean, in every Grand Prix, different things happen than what is said on Thursday. This has also happened to us: it is crucial always to be sure that what you find as a development for the car and then bring to the track is exactly what you expect compared to wind tunnel testing and simulations. We have seen more than once that this is not quite the case: the fact is that for a team that has worked with a certain method, not having a certain feedback on the track is very important. We paid for it on Friday in Belgium because we couldn't test everything we wanted, while here at Monza, on Friday morning, we managed to test the verification of the parts".
What Domenicali obviously doesn't say is that there is still some work to be done on Massa: the Brazilian driver doesn't seem entirely convinced that he should help Alonso in winning the World Championship. A not insignificant detail in the title race.
"It was a good race; the team did very well, maybe I lost a bit of time in the pit stop, and this didn't allow me to fight for the victory".
Felipe Massa is satisfied with the third place achieved in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Ferrari driver was always close to the top two, Alonso and Button, but a bit of luck was missing.
"It's nice to arrive on the podium here at Monza; you only see people celebrating, you don't even see the track anymore, it's a nice feeling. I started very well; I saw they braked late in front of me, and in the first turn, I locked the wheels too. When I saw that Fernando was wide, I tried to take advantage of the situation, but he had more traction and managed to pass, staying on the good side of the track. Then I held my position, and I felt a hit - it was Hamilton, I didn't see it, but I only felt the impact".
Eight hundred people for 0.8 seconds. Easy calculation, one hundred people for a tenth. It might seem like a waste of forces, but it's actually a miracle of teamwork. Because 0.8 seconds in Formula 1 are enormous, when a race is decided on the edge of thousandths of a second, and what Ferrari did in Monza, with that ultra-fast pit stop that catapulted Alonso into the lead of the Grand Prix, is a feat. Eight hundred are the people working in the Racing Management, the team that puts the two red cars on the track, it is they who, with different roles, push Alonso and allow him, in addition to his talent and his foot pressed to the maximum on the accelerator, to still believe in the world championship comeback. The Ferrari team is a juggernaut, and rightfully so, they received compliments from their team principal, Stefano Domenicali. Unconditional praise, but above all, well-distributed:
"To those who were protagonists during the pit stop, to those who work so well on the track during the races, but also to those who stay at home, but during the week, work hard at the factory, taking care of the car's development".
Indeed, because the Ferrari team is a diverse world, where the numbers are impressive, and the effort made by those behind the main actors, the two drivers, team leaders, technicians, and strategists, is often even more critical, the fundamental basis for every triumph. The men present in the pit lane took the spotlight, the twelve tire changers (three for each tire), plus the others, those who command the operations in front of the car, those who are behind and ensure that everything is in order and functions at its best, those who are a few meters away, ready to intervene if necessary. But the Ferrari team is not just the pit stop, on the track, at every race, it presents around eighty people, and of these, at least sixty have specific tasks related to the car, with its setup, telemetry study, aerodynamic efficiency, mechanical solidity. A large group that represents only a part of the entire team, the final part of a work that has even more visible figures in Maranello, in the various operating centers. It should not be forgotten that Ferrari is a team that designs, builds, and develops everything on its own, the engine, gearbox, chassis. It has suppliers, as is normal (for example, for brakes, as well as tires, the same for all teams), but do-it-yourself is the main basis and includes almost all the work necessary for the race. For this complex activity, Maranello employs more than 200 people, who add to those on the track, perhaps numbers are understated since officially Ferrari prefers not to provide precise estimates, also having the possibility to rotate its employees and have them move from one department to another. They are still the recipients of Domenicali's compliments and also those of Alonso, who moves from Monza to Maranello immediately after, to work for two days in the simulator, to charge the environment and invite everyone to give their best. The Spaniard has said it since day one:
"Seeing Ferrari's men at work, I understood why this team always fights for the World Championship every year. A championship can go well or badly, but what is impressive is the winning mentality, determination, and ferocity that everyone possesses. Observing them, I understood that behind the wheel of a red car, you can never give up. I am convinced that I will fight for the title until the last race, but this is not a promise, it is a commitment. If you are part of the Ferrari world, you must adapt. A planet where everyone seeks perfection".
Where a hundred people work for a tenth of a second. And then celebrate like crazy. And now there are only five breathtaking races left. Challenges of do or die. In the most electrifying World Championship in the history of Formula 1, with five drivers competing for the coveted title, enclosed within 24 points, less than the prize (25 points) awarded for a single victory, the sprint can only be incandescent. With one certainty. Fernando Alonso asserts:
"If you retire even just once, it's over. You need at least the podium, always".
And with a due premise, Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari's team principal, concludes:
"Making predictions is practically impossible because this year the track seems to have fun. I have seen phenomena on Thursday, during the early weekend interviews, turning into donkeys on Sunday, during the race. A discourse that applies to us, but also to our rivals. You arrive convinced of smashing everything, and then you realize that you are in difficulty, while in other cases, you start to limit the damage, and then in the race, you are the fastest".
No calculations, then. The real battle this year is only on the asphalt. Therefore, as Alonso states:
"Maximum concentration and straight to the next Grand Prix".
Which he does, after making a final toast for the victory and before immersing himself in the simulator for two days to prepare for the Singapore Grand Prix. Living day by day, race by race, knowing that on every track, Red Bull should be favored. Only that this team seems skilled at hurting itself. Criticized for the tactics used at Monza by Webber, the leader of the World Championship gives further evidence of fragility with Vettel:
"We are strong, unfortunately, we are behind in the standings".
Too bad that, in reality, Webber would be ahead of everyone, but the German evidently thinks only of himself, and no one will have the courage to impose help to his teammate. The exact opposite of Ferrari, where instead Massa (willingly or not) has placed himself at the service of Alonso, triumphant on his debut with a Ferrari at Monza, like Scheckter in 1979 and Schumacher in 1996, two drivers who became World Champions. Hoping that this particular is a good omen, the Maranello team is already calculating the races in which it will have to go on the attack or defend itself. Starting from Singapore, a track where Ferrari will bring the latest aerodynamic development, related to the bottom of the car. A high-load circuit, reminiscent of Valencia, where Red Bull was competitive, McLaren too, but Alonso and Massa managed to stay close to the front. In Singapore, the cars from Maranello can win, just like in Suzuka, where driving and speed count. Red Bull and McLaren can dominate, but Ferrari can respond if it is true that they have understood the reasons for their poor competitiveness in Belgium. The traps for the Maranello team are the Korean Grand Prix (an unknown track) and Abu Dhabi, to which the new circuit seems to have taken inspiration. These are tracks where Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren must limit the damage. The opposite is true in Brazil, where brakes, the driver, and the engine count, the only aspect on which Webber and Vettel envy their rivals. There is also the psychological aspect, and here the more experienced Alonso and Hamilton could make the difference. If the last race is the one of reckoning, the two never-before-champion Red Bulls could tremble. Besides risking colliding with each other, the perfect suicide.