Those who dare run the risk of making mistakes more easily but can also afford greater joys. Ferrari at Monza he dared and achieved more than he could have without taking risks. He achieved an important victory, putting himself back in the game with McLaren and Red Bull for the fight in the constructors' championship. Of course, the climb is still long, and Monza, as we know, is a circuit that cannot be taken as an absolute reference. However, this weekend has seen the emergence of a new Ferrari, no longer conservative or one that does not dare for fear of making mistakes. This new Ferrari takes risks, experiments, falls, gets up again. A process that requires great lucidity, because there is madness in risk, but there is also science, calculation. Charles Leclerc managed to cover 53 laps on the wire, without ever exceeding or weighing down the tires. There is no madness, just patience and a strategy built over the weekend, as an euphoric Frederic Vasseur confessed at the end of the Monza GP. A courageous and symbolic victory, which feels like a rebirth for Ferrari.
A special victory in front of the fans
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari, did not hide his satisfaction with the result achieved in the Monza GP. There were already many emotions in Monaco. Ferrari knew that repeating that success would not be easy. The competition is now much more ruthless. In addition, the home factor adds further pressure. “This victory is emotionally special. Winning in Monza, in front of our fans, is always something extraordinary,” said Vasseur at the end of the race. A success that comes largely from the courage and determination of the team: “We decided to take a risk with an aggressive strategy, and the drivers responded exceptionally. Charles and Carlos interpreted the race perfectly, always maintaining control of the situation.”
The two most important events, those marked in red on the calendar, namely Monaco and Monza, Ferrari managed to bring home, getting ever closer to the goal of 5 seasonal victories confessed at the beginning of the season. Reaching McLaren who despite having a better car is stuck at 3 victories like the Reds. An important signal for the team and the Ferrari environment, which is experiencing a period of renewal and search for a new identity: “Winning in these conditions, against such strong opponents, shows that we are on the right path. We have to keep working, but this is confirmation that our philosophy of taking calculated risks is paying off.”
Winning strategy and great clarity
“Let Vasseur cook”, the catchphrase born right after the victory in Monaco also in this case reflects a bit the modus operandi of this Ferrari that risks in silence without making proclamations. “The single stop was always in our plans,” Vasseur revealed. “We analyzed the data carefully and decided to focus on a strategy that would allow us to maximize the performance of the tires. It was risky, but we knew that if everything went as planned, we would have a great chance of winning.”
Credit also goes to a pit wall that is slowly becoming more solid: “Credit goes to our engineers, mechanics and all the staff who worked impeccably. We never lost concentration, not even when things seemed to be getting complicated.” The decision to make just one stop required a huge effort in terms of tyre management from the drivers, but Leclerc and Sainz were able to maintain the right balance between aggression and conservation, allowing Ferrari to bring home an unexpected result.
The fight for the constructors' world championship
And for the title fight? The success in Monza, the third of the season after Melbourne and Monaco, has brought Ferrari back to the center of the scene in the fight for the constructors' championship. Currently, McLaren is only 8 points behind Red Bull, while Ferrari is 39 points away from the lead. “We still have a lot of work to do, but this victory gives us the confidence to continue to believe in our abilities,” Vasseur concluded. “The road is long, but we will not back down.”
Source statements: FormulaPassion
