Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are responsible for successful races in Italy. Additionally, and for obvious reasons, in Formula 1 races at the Autodromo Enzo-e-Dino Ferrari in Imola, when Formula 1 and Ferrari arrive at Monza, there’s something more perceptible in the air.
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Celebrating The Longest Run
Monza, the world’s third oldest permanent racetrack after Brookland’s and Indianapolis, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, having been built in 110 days in 1922. Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari had also been scheduled to compete on the park circuit the following year. There was some debate about whether he made it to the beginning of the race.
For better or worse, the history of Ferrari and Monza is inextricably linked.
The great Alberto Ascari died here in 1955, just days after crashing into the port of Monaco while driving the Ferrari 750 Monza sports car on a private test.
Six years later, Wolfgang von Trips’ Ferrari 156 ‘Sharknose’, the German who raced in the World Championships with teammate Phil Hill, crashed into the crowd here, massacring Von Trips and 15 spectators.
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Lost But Won
The original Monza circuit is still visible. There has also been a pain recently, not least the double retirement of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel from the 2020 race, while it was also here in 2018 when Vettel’s attempt to beat Lewis Hamilton for the title that year resulted in another major relegation. Of course, there was joy as well, the kind of joy that comes with 19 victories, including a few classics.
Gerhard Berger of Ferrari won the team’s only victory outside of McLaren in 1988, just weeks after Enzo Ferrari died. From 1996 to 2006, Michael Schumacher won five times at this track, all while driving for Ferrari.
In his first season with the team in 2019, Charles Leclerc ensured that he would never have to pay for just another beverage in Italy by winning at Monza on his debut here at Rosso Corsa.
This weekend, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz arrived in the beating Giallo Modena, where they represent the yellow jersey of the team founder’s city on their uniforms and in flashing on the livery of their F1-75 cars.
Regardless of how it appears, the magnitude of the challenges confronting the Ferrari drivers this Sunday and in the battle for the drivers’ and constructors’ championships is just massive.
With seven races remaining, including this weekend, Leclerc is now 109 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen. There is little doubt that Leclerc’s victory in this competition would be one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
The Need for Ecstatic Performance by Carlos Sainz
Ferrari is now 135 points behind Red Bull and only 30 points behind Mercedes, even though the Silver Arrows did not win in 2022 . The striking fact is that both drivers appeared to be in high spirits on Thursday at Monza, talking about how much pressure comes with continuing to drive the Scuderia here.
“It’s something very special,” Carlos Sainz agreed in the hot and muggy mid-afternoon heat on Thursday. To be honest, I can never find the phrases to describe it because it is something so deep within me, you know?” All of your Saturday afternoon thoughts and feelings are significant to us.
“How your fans treat you, how they cheer you on, how they motivate you.” Something you’ll never understand until you’re in the driver’s seat, and in our situation, but you can see it from the outside. It’s insane and unbelievable.”
The Hope of Replicating the Red Bulls
Unfortunately for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, enjoying genuine Tifosi will only get them so far this weekend. Leclerc understands the thrill of standing on top of the Monza podium; this year, he will do so in front of a large crowd of adoring fans, after being denied by COVID-19 for the past two years.
But what about his chances against the mighty Max Verstappen this Sunday? “
I believe it’s going to be a tough weekend, “Charles Leclerc admitted. “On paper, it appears to be a difficult weekend. We anticipate Red Bull to be more powerful.
The track characteristics aren’t quite right for our vehicle. Leclerc is a clever cookie, and he is aware that his 2022 title, which got off to a fantastic start with victories in Bahrain and Australia, is in jeopardy.
Hope this weekend that Tifosi fans wouldn’t face sadness from their home team.
