Il Italian Grand Prix is upon us and we are already starting to experience the atmosphere that Monza will give us with a great protagonist from the family of Sky Sports, or the journalist, commentator, writer and conductor Fabio Tavelli, at the forefront whether it's motors, football, basketball or any other sport that embraces and narrates at 360°. Podcasts that bear his signature are an appointment with the history of the greatest legends of sport. Stories to dive into and get lost in, like the last one, created specifically for Sky Sport, on the World Chess challenge between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. Deep roots to dig into, precisely why sport has never had a single purpose and a single meaning, but has always been part of a bigger picture.
In Formula 1 we are used to seeing him on Race Anatomy – now on air since 2014 – stitching together the emotions of the race weekends together with his prestigious guests. And what better occasion than the 100th anniversary of the Italian Motorsport house, as well as the Ferrari that right in Monza will arrive as a great lady with a special livery for 75 years, to ask Fabio a few questions?
Fabio, we are moving towards the last part of the season: did you expect this trend?
“If you tell me an encore from Verstappen as a trend, I'll tell you enough. If, on the other hand, you ask me if you were expecting such a fast definition of the world championship, I'll say no. The premises were quite different: until April-May, the idea was that we would relive an incredible duel like last year's between Verstappen and Hamilton. History, on the other hand, has said something else: Red Bull, or rather Verstappen, has a pace that no one can keep up, while on the other side there has been a bad drop for Ferrari, which however put in a bit of its own" .
The work of Ferrari
How do you rate the work of Ferrari? And what are your expectations for their home GP?
“I don't have a particularly negative feeling about Monza. It gives me the idea of being a race that Ferrari intends to win to try and put a smile on its fans. They're a bit like those derbies you want to win even if you're not fighting for the Scudetto. So I'm not as skeptical about Monza as you might think while. As far as the season is concerned however, given how it was born, it is clear that something has been lost, even if Ferrari had said that the goal was to be competitive again. However, this term can be interpreted in various ways. In fact, in the first part of the season Ferrari was much more than competitive, in the second part instead it risks not being stronger than Mercedes. It is therefore right to do a little averaging: you have to be rational and give a vote which, to date, I take the liberty of saying is absolutely sufficient. I am convinced that Ferrari is faster than Red Bull over the flying lap, but in the race, on the other hand, we understand why the Rossa cannot win the title yet".
Will there be a second-third place fight between Ferrari and Mercedes?
“Ferrari doesn't aim to finish second to get more money, as it has an attendance fee that doesn't depend on results, so I don't think it will be talked about. Being third force may only be part of the season rating discussion, however one must remember that the season has been going since mid-July. On Mercedes, on the other hand, it's fair to say that he defended his inferiority: he's always scored a lot of points. She managed to bring home many podiums. I can think that in the last few races, Mercedes may have a small chance of winning this year”.
Max-Charles, a challenge concluded earlier than expected
It was a season full of entertainment for the initial fight between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Where do you think Monegasque needs to improve and what did Dutch grow up in?
“I think Leclerc on the flying lap is at Verstappen's level. In terms of race management, however, no. The Dutchman has a bit more experience in racing that is worth a title. When you experience those sensations, like him who fought for the title three laps from the end of the world championship last year, you have something extra. Precisely for this reason, what you do next will seem much more manageable. Here, Leclerc is still lacking in this aspect. Without forgetting that Max has already won and for this reason he will appear in 2023 with 2 titles under his belt, while Leclerc is still at 0".
The Monza GP on Sky
Are you also ready with Race Anatomy?
"Absolutely! With Race Anatomy we arrive last, at 19.00, but we have an incredible energy. Starting today, I will be on the track with Davide Camicioli for special editions with Sky Sport 24. Of course, the whole engine team is ready to tell you every single detail, hoping over time that, starting on Friday, it should improve. Last year was a crazy race. Hard to happen again but never say never. So I expect a more normal race but something can always happen anyway. We're talking about a circuit where there aren't many overtaking opportunities and the engine counts a lot. Verstappen's Red Bull is therefore clearly the favourites, but watch out for Ferrari, who don't want to make a mistake."
In view of the Italian Grand Prix, who pilots advice for fantasy managers?
“I want to surprise you: I take Checo Perez, because I think he will do a very solid race and with good points through overtaking. Then I'll tell you… Fernando Alonso, who will be a garone; Stroll who in my opinion can be a rider who can do well. Daniel Ricciardo who is doing very badly but has a special feeling with Italy and the last joker is Mick Schumacher who, after a race to be reviewed at Zandvoort, maybe he won't disappoint at Monza!”
