Italian former Formula One driver and five time Le Mans 24-hour winner Emanuele Pirro, who currently is a member of the FIA Drivers’ Commission, comments on the events which led to the outcome of the 2017 Italian Grand Prix last Sunday, as Mercedes dominated Scuderia Ferrari’s home race and finished comfortably ahead of Sebastian Vettel’s SF70H car. The German driver came in 36 seconds adrift in third place and therefore lost the lead in the Formula One Driver Standings.
“It was a wonderful Sunday, with a great audience. A special auto racing event that unfortunately did not have the winner that everyone had hoped for, but there was that big passion which you can only experience in Italy.” – Emanuele Pirro said, as reported by Italian national sports newspaper based in Rome Corriere dello Sport – “Due to the rain and wet conditions on Saturday, the Formula One teams did not have the possibility to fully prepare the race on Sunday, which made the Grand Prix uncertain. Despite the result and what we saw on track, Ferrari is competitive: this time Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen were not able to take advantage and exploit the potential of the car, but the big gap at the end of the race does not correctly illustrate the distance between the two teams.” – the Italian former Formula One driver added.
“Scuderia Ferrari could have done a lot more at Monza, but the team was not able to find the perfect setup. Ferrari is very strong on the slow tracks, with a lot of downforce. What we saw on Sunday is the exception and not the rule. Behind the wheels and also behind the development of the car there are people, human beings who have strengths and weaknesses, who can make mistakes or have a bad day.” – the FIA Steward explained.
Scuderia Ferrari has already shifted focus to the next round of the 2017 Formula One season, the Singapore Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit in two weeks’ time when the F1 circus leaves Europe again. The next race should suit the SF70H car a lot better and the expectations will be a lot higher for the Maranello team: “I would bet on Ferrari for this next Grand Prix, but it is going to be a long race, which as always will be decided by certain episodes. Vettel and Hamilton can also count on world-class team-mates, so we can expect another spectacular event.” – Emanuele Pirro concluded.
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