Let’s pretend Saturday didn’t happen. Let’s set aside what was one of Ferrari’s saddest episodes in recent years and enjoy a Sunday full of positives, with two unleashed drivers fighting their way up the order, doing so without mistakes and even getting close to the podium: Lewis Hamilton in fourth and Charles Leclerc in sixth weren’t what the fans expected, but they still represent a snapshot of an immediate reaction, the will not to give up, the chance not to always find themselves far from the podium. It was a good Ferrari at Imola, even exciting at times, but too compromised by the qualifying disaster in which both cars were inexplicably out of the top 10, forcing them into a tough race with the pressure of not making mistakes and the frustration of having to battle through the pack.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc patched up the gaps — which still exist beyond the result — saving the situation, bringing back a hint of a smile, and reigniting the support of fans disoriented by a dismal Saturday. We’re talking about two champions who know how to make a difference. Lewis and Charles gave everything to save Ferrari. But now it’s Ferrari that must save them, with a car that isn’t erratic in behavior, one that’s readable in handling and capable of fighting on equal terms with McLaren and Red Bull. Leclerc spoke about the many tests being run in the simulator, but for now there’s still no solution. Will they eventually overcome the block that’s holding back the SF-25? Impossible to say.
The paradox is that Hamilton (who finished 14.9 seconds behind Verstappen and about two seconds from Piastri) might even have had a shot at the podium, based on how the final phase of the Emilia Romagna GP played out. Or perhaps Leclerc could have, had it not been for the excessive — according to the latest questionable FIA regulations — defense from Albon, which forced him to give the position to the Briton after already suffering from an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car and (later) a full Safety Car that — despite a spot-on strategy — dropped him further from the front.
In short, to sum up: had the Ferraris started from the second row, they might have been able to attempt something more, unleashing the long-awaited roar of release. Instead, starting from the back made everything more complicated, especially since — it’s worth noting — before the infamous Safety Car caused by Antonelli’s Mercedes stopping on track, Hamilton was fifth 43.6 seconds behind, and Leclerc sixth at 45.1 seconds, so very far back.
And then, as we know, nothing is ever guaranteed in F1. Not even McLaren’s superiority, which was challenged at Imola by a phenomenal Red Bull-Honda and an exceptional Max Verstappen, who pulled off a perfect, thrilling overtake into Turn 1 to immediately shut down pole-sitter Piastri. From that moment on, Verstappen led the race and never gave it up, with Piastri first and Norris later (aided by a final tyre stop that Oscar didn’t make) trying to close the gap but always being held off.
With this win, Max Verstappen — helped by a Red Bull revitalized by recent updates — reestablishes himself as a very serious contender for a fifth consecutive world title. At McLaren, Oscar Piastri appeared intimidated by Verstappen’s blow. As if that wasn’t enough, he had to concede to Norris as well, four laps from the end, in a bold move that perhaps he didn’t expect — one that certainly boosts Lando’s confidence.
Despite everything, Piastri remains at the top of the championship standings, followed by Norris 13 points behind and Verstappen 22 behind: everything is still wide open. And now comes the question mark of Monte Carlo, where the next race takes place this Sunday with Leclerc more determined than ever. In Monaco, the driver counts more than the car. And Charles could truly save Ferrari, relaunching it in grand style. Why not hope?
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