British Formula One engineer Paul Monaghan, who is currently the chief engineer at Red Bull, believes that Scuderia Ferrari may have focused more on doing everything possible to win the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, even if this meant having to sacrifice other events, given the significant importance that the Monza event has for the Tifosi.
Unfortunately even this was not enough for the Maranello team to win the Italian Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen secured his fifth consecutive win, which brings his total to 11 victories in the 2022 Formula 1 season.
It was a special weekend for Scuderia Ferrari, who celebrated its 75th anniversary as a constructor at Monza. As a result, Ferrari wanted to mark the special moment by using a yellow-detailed livery and team clothing, including race suits for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Ferrari chairman John Elkann, Ferrari chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna and Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari were the most important figures present in the paddock, as they kept a beady eye on how things were going with team principal Mattia Binotto hoping for a victory in front of the Tifosi which would have at least eased some of the pain caused by the many reliability issues and the poor strategy decisions made in the first part of the championship.
Charles Leclerc took pole with a great lap in qualifying, while Max Verstappen started from P7 as a result of a grid penalty for exceeding his power unit parts allocation, but the impressive race pace of the Red Bull RB18 was unstoppable, with the Monegasque driver unable to challenge for the race win.
Paul Monaghan believes that may have been despite the fact that the Maranello team made some special preparations for its home race, hoping to celebrate a victory with the Tifosi. Asked specifically why he believes Charles Leclerc was faster than Max Verstappen in the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, despite the Monza race track being better suited for the characteristics of the RB18 challenger, Paul Monaghan explained: “It doesn’t really matter what I think. It’s best to ask the guys next door [at Ferrari] if you want a factual answer.”
The Red Bull chief engineer then added: “I suspect our neighbours, because of their history and geographical situation, have a bit more invested [in this one race at Monza]. Either they have used their resources very wisely in the development or they have put their bet on a single race.”
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection from Puma! Enter the online Puma Store and shop securely! And get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
One other possible explanation was that the Maranello team pushed its power unit more on the F1-75 car of Charles Leclerc, even though this would mean reducing the lifespan of that engine for a better chance of taking a victory in the Italian Grand Prix: “If they want to turn [their engine] up a bit, they can do that,” Paul Monaghan concluded.
Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari are now 139 points behind rivals Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, while Ferrari only have a 35-point advantage over third-placed Mercedes.
Leave a Reply