The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is fast approaching, and will mark the second time in the 2021 Formula 1 season in which the Sprint Qualifying format is used, with points awarded also on Saturday. The first trial for this new and interesting format took place a few weeks ago at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone.
Despite the increased competitiveness this season, it should be a difficult grand prix for the Ferrari team, capable of scrapping points in Zandvoort but not competitive enough to aim for the podium. So, and perhaps this can give an advantage in terms of pressure, the spotlight will be above all on the championship fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
“Without stopping, the challenge moves to the Temple of Speed: the most beautiful World Championship of the last ten years, at least, could see a new turning point. Between Mercedes and Red Bull the engine issue is very hot: suspicions, squabbles and pressure on the FIA as in the best F1 sagas. Never as this time can Monza be the referee for the title. For several reasons: the points of the Sprint Qualifying will also be up for grabs: in such a tight championship they are a great prize, as could be seen from Hamilton’s desire to take the fastest lap on Sunday in the Dutch Grand Prix for that one extra point. Max Verstappen is three points ahead, which means basically nothing. Red Bull are very afraid of the power of the Mercedes engine on long straights and fast corners. From Silverstone, the Mercedes on straights reaches higher speed peaks than the Red Bull, which retains a technical advantage on the most slower circuits. The blue team, led by Christian Horner, suspects that rivals have found a way to get more horsepower: they estimate them to be around twenty HP, they would be delivered in the acceleration phase, thanks to a particular process of cooling the intercooler air. A request has been made to the Federation for clarification on the regularity of such a solution, developments are awaited. It is just yet another back and forth of an all-out battle” – writes Corriere della Sera.
Ferrari hopes, perhaps, to have a Sunday alla ‘Gasly’, taking advantage of any surprises in the race. After all, in 2020, Charles Leclerc’s accident triggered a daring Italian GP. “Ferrari rejects the criticisms after the 5th and 7th place of Leclerc and Sainz in Zandvoort. Being lapped in particular has raised discontent, but the goal remains the one set at the beginning of the season: third place among the manufacturers behind the duo of Mercedes and Red Bull. The title challenge is set for next year. 2021, given the rules that allow limited development, is an intermediate season. The performance difference that led to Ferrari being lapped? Tire wear is also involved: the leading duo pushed to the last, while the drivers in red from the pits were asked to manage the race and not to take risks. But in the Ferrari statistics the SF21 has grown: the average gap in qualifying from the best was 1 ″ 3 in 2020, while it is 7 tenths now. Ferrari promises an improvement, not a miracle, even if Gasly’s success in 2020 at the wheel of the AlphaTauri testifies that unforeseen events happen” – La Stampa concluded.
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