The wait is over and Monza is finally ready to host the Italian Grand Prix, the only appointment at our home of a calendar that included a double stage, with Imola and Monza. The fans who arrived in the temple of speed as early as Thursday they hope to find one Ferrari competitive, in a one-off that could save a transition season. It won't be an easy task, and not only because Max Verstappen will be standing there up front as always, but also because Ferrari's first limit is not so much the opponent but its own car. So let's see who we can field at Fanta F1, and advice on the possible forecasts for a Grand Prix that promises to be dry.
The keys to understanding the weekend
On one side or the other, important results could arrive in Monza. Max Verstappen aimed for the historic record of consecutive seasonal victories, after reaching Sebastian Vettel on 9, in Holland last weekend. He continues to be the most chosen at Fanta F1 even if for this weekend the Ferrari duo could oust him. The Maranello team longs for the podium, both to "justify" the debacle in the Netherlands, but also to give some satisfaction to the fans and try to build their future by collecting everything - even if little - that is good about this season. To get to the podium, however, he will have to deal with several teams that have relaunched themselves including Aston Martin, Alpine, fresh from podium with Gasly, but also Mercedes.
Monza is not just speed. There are more aspects that will require time and attention and curves that can make a difference when braking and accelerating. Red Bull has the most complete car, and especially in the areas where it can travel with an open wing it shows that it has a few km/h more than its rivals, including Ferrari which arrived with very unloaded wing specifications. A team that could surprise on the straights is Williams. Already last year in Monza on his debut the first points finish came for Nyck De Vries, who had replaced Albon who was operated on for appendicitis. For McLaren, however, Monza will be an important test for general efficiency.
What the first free practices tell us
At the end of FP1, there is still a rather uncertain picture also because several teams used the session to compare different specifications also considering the softer compounds that Pirelli has chosen for this weekend. Furthermore the teams are sipping their trains in view of the qualifying format which will force everyone to carry out Q1 with the whites, Q2 with the yellows and Q3 with the reds. Much of the work in FP1 was done with the white tires and in the standings immediately behind Red Bull we find Ferrari with Sainz ahead of Leclerc, sandwiched between the two drivers from the Austrian team who did two different jobs. Verstappen lapped with a more loaded configuration, while Perez was more unloaded and on paper performed better. Despite this, the Dutchman closed the first session in first position. Mercedes also started very well, with excellent lap times without slipstreaming, they are a candidate for the fight for the podium. A bad start for Alfa Romeo instead. Still doubts about Alpine and McLaren.
Who to deploy
There is still some time to decide but let's try to build an ambitious, and also rather risky, team for the weekend.
Hamilton – Leclerc – Piastri – Albon – Tsunoda
Fanta F1 predictions
Here are our Fanta F1 predictions.
Safety Car in the race: Yes
Virtual Safety Car in the race: Yes
Red Flag in the race: No
Drivers distinguish wet or full wet tires in the race: No
Team double in the race: No
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: No
Stables to bring both cars into the top 10: 4
Vehicles forced to retire: 3
