Press review of Carlos Sainz's pole: 'Smooth Operator' becomes people's champion at Monza

Carlos Sainz ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc had never lost in Qualifying in a direct comparison with his teammate. It happened yesterday, despite Charles Leclerc’s courageous move at the Parabolica. The Monegasque copied Carlos Sainz’s setup after Friday’s difficulties, but yesterday, the Spanish driver broke the spell that had always seen him succumb at the crucial moment. The pole position won by Carlos Sainz in Monza is the fourth of his career.

One year ago at Silverstone, Charles Leclerc did a 360° spin at Chapel in an attempt to push as hard as possible to beat Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, behind the Monegasque, had to lift off due to the yellow flag. Carlos Sainz celebrated the pole with a ‘no way,’ meaning ‘it’s not possible.’ However, yesterday, the 13 thousandths of a second that made the difference between him and Max Verstappen were all his, with an exceptional T2 between the Roggia and the Lesmo. Verstappen’s slipstream did the rest.

A Shadow in Which They Stand Tight
Carlos Sainz made his F1 debut alongside Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso, and at Ferrari, he shares the box with Charles Leclerc. In both situations, it was natural to end up somewhat in the background compared to the two peers destined since karting to fight for the F1 world title.

“The Spaniard was perfect. From Friday, he showed that he could fully exploit the potential of the Red car. At the decisive moment, he put together all the pieces, offering a crowd in delirium the spectacle of an irresistible mosaic. Sainz, in his own way, is an anti-character. He doesn’t miss the fact that the majority of Ferrari fans have a soft spot for his colleague, Charles Leclerc. Finding a balance is not easy, in a psychological context objectively biased in favor of the Monegasque. But Carlitos is succeeding, and the pole at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix confirms his refusal to accept a condition of subservience,” writes Leo Turrini in today’s edition of Il Resto del Carlino.

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‘Emozione Rossa’ (Red Emotion) is the title of La Stampa: “A victory would give meaning to the season,” writes Stefano Mancini, “but to try, you still have to dream, imagine the red heart and the crowd that, after the race, goes under the podium as tradition dictates.” ‘Voglia Rossa’ (Red Desire) is the title of Repubblica: “A Saturday of the Italian village – reads the feature by Alessandra Retico – red arrow in the heart, the one that Carlos Sainz slips in with the pole at Monza. He raced as if in an arena. Matador, the Spaniard, at 29, celebrates the masterpiece everyone wanted and that Ferrari needed.”