Ferrari’s Monza Masterclass: Carlos Sainz Secures Pole Position at the Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, revered as the “Temple of Speed,” has long held a special place in the hearts of Formula 1 fans, particularly those loyal to the Scuderia Ferrari. Despite the overwhelming dominance of teams like Red Bull with Max Verstappen in recent years, and Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton before them, Monza has surprisingly remained a stronghold for the Prancing Horse. This historic circuit, known for its passionate tifosi, consistently inspires Ferrari to perform at their peak, often defying their season-long struggles.
In the five Italian Grand Prix weekends leading up to 2023, Ferrari had a remarkable record on Saturdays, securing pole position in three of those five years. This success rate at Monza is one of their best at any venue over the same period, highlighting the unique connection between the team and its home race. The pressure and expectation from the thousands of crimson-clad fans evidently fuel an extra drive within the team, often translating into exhilarating qualifying performances.
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Sainz Shines Bright: A Triumphant Qualifying Performance
The 2023 weekend at Monza began with promising signs for Ferrari. After demonstrating impressive pace in practice sessions, Carlos Sainz Jnr consistently topped the timings, setting the fastest lap in both Friday’s second practice and Saturday morning’s final session. This momentum culminated in a spectacular qualifying performance where Sainz, battling intensely, secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix. His achievement marked him as the 14th Ferrari driver to claim pole at Monza, joining an illustrious list that includes team mate Charles Leclerc, Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, Juan Manuel Fangio, and even Alberto Ascari – the legendary driver after whom Monza’s challenging third chicane is named.
The Spaniard’s joy was palpable as he learned he had taken pole. “Vamos! Vamos!” Sainz exclaimed over the radio, holding his arm aloft in the cockpit with a triumphant finger pointed skyward. This gesture, witnessed by the fervent crowds around the Autodromo, unmistakably declared who was the fastest on this memorable day. Sainz later reflected on the session: “Honestly, this qualifying session, I enjoyed it a lot. I enjoyed the battle already from Q3 run one, where we did 1’20.5, all three of us. I knew it was going to be super, super tight and all about the details and risks going into the second run and it was really good fun.”
The battle for pole was incredibly tight, with Sainz almost losing out to Max Verstappen, the Dutchman who had been quickest in seven of the last eight qualifying sessions. Sainz managed to pull a tenth of a second ahead of the Red Bull driver through the Della Roggia chicane, maintaining his advantage until the final corner of Alboreto (formerly Parabolica). However, Verstappen executed a superior exit and rapidly gained time on the Ferrari, ultimately falling short by a mere 0.013 seconds at the finish line. This razor-thin margin underscored the intensity of the competition and the exceptional performance delivered by both drivers.
Ferrari’s Speed Advantage: A Glimmer of Hope
The close proximity between Sainz – noticeably the quicker of the two Ferrari drivers – and Verstappen – the dominant force in the faster Red Bull – was a consistent theme throughout the initial two days of running. Ferrari demonstrated a slight but crucial advantage in top speed, a vital asset on the calendar’s fastest circuit. Sainz, on his pole lap, reached an impressive 350 km/h at the end of the pit straight, a full four kilometers-per-hour faster than the Red Bull. His consistent higher speed compared to his team mate, Leclerc, suggested a strategic choice of running slightly reduced wing levels on his Ferrari, optimizing for straight-line speed at the expense of some downforce.
Despite being edged out for only the fifth time in 2023’s qualifying sessions, Verstappen remained philosophical. “I’m happy with second, to be honest,” he stated. “Here in Monza it’s always very tight. Sometimes you might jump ahead, sometimes you’re just behind but I’m confident for tomorrow.” His confidence is well-founded, as Red Bull’s race car has consistently proven to be significantly stronger than its qualifying performance suggests. Verstappen made no attempt to be humble when questioned about his car’s likely superiority over the Ferraris on race day. “I mean, so far this year, yes,” Verstappen affirmed. “So hopefully it will be the same tomorrow.”
Race Day Predictions: A Battle for Supremacy
Before the Monza weekend, Pierre Gasly had speculated that this might be “the trickiest race for Max to win.” He suggested that if any rival could remain within DRS range of the Red Bull, the powerful drag reduction effect would prevent Verstappen from disappearing half a minute up the road, as he has so frequently done throughout the 2023 season. However, with Verstappen starting right behind him, Sainz is determined to do more than simply stay within a second of the Red Bull. “If I get a good start, I’m going to do everything I can to stay ahead of Max,” Sainz declared. “I think, looking back at this year, 100% of races, they’ve been quicker and they’ve been clearly quicker – so that makes me feel like it’s not going to be easy at all and they’re going to try a way past one way or another.”
Beyond the raw race pace, Sainz is acutely aware of Red Bull’s superior consistency with tires over a stint. Pirelli’s decision to bring a step softer tire compounds for this weekend might inadvertently favor Red Bull on Sunday, given their proven ability to manage tire degradation more effectively than Ferrari. This factor adds another layer of complexity to Ferrari’s challenge, demanding impeccable strategy and execution if they are to convert pole position into a victory.
The Battle Behind the Leaders: Russell and Albon Shine
Behind the anticipated fight for the win, George Russell masterfully navigated a challenging weekend for Mercedes, securing a surprising fourth-place start on the second row. Despite the difficulties, Russell remains optimistic about the race. “I think it’s going to be challenging,” Russell admitted. “I think we’ll have good race pace, the tire deg doesn’t look very high. We need to be fast around the pit stops, I expect to have better tire deg than Ferrari, so our only chance is to be faster on the pit stops and do something slightly different to them.” His strategy hints at a focus on efficiency and alternative approaches to gain an edge over the faster Ferraris.
Alexander Albon, meanwhile, fully capitalized on Williams’ suspected potential at Monza, placing his car an impressive sixth on the grid. He outqualified both McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with Lewis Hamilton splitting the MCL60s. Unsurprisingly, Williams demonstrated exceptional straight-line speed, ranking near the top of the speed trap charts in qualifying. In stark contrast, Mercedes found themselves slowest of all in a straight line, leading Hamilton to comment that Albon would be “almost impossible to overtake” for both him and the McLarens. This stark performance differential highlights the unique aerodynamic compromises teams made for Monza’s high-speed layout.
Monza Race Strategy: One-Stop or Two?
For the first time since the Miami Grand Prix in early May, conditions have remained consistently dry throughout the grand prix weekend and are forecast to continue so on Sunday. This ensures that the Italian Grand Prix will be a straightforward, unhindered showdown between Ferrari and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
If Sainz can maintain his lead from the start, it would significantly strengthen Ferrari’s position. However, for a genuine chance at victory, Ferrari might need a coordinated team effort on lap one to get both their cars ahead of Verstappen. This tactical move could represent their best, albeit still slender, opportunity to break Red Bull’s winning streak, especially considering Verstappen’s consistent strength as tires begin to degrade during a race stint.
Drivers may only get one realistic opportunity to leapfrog their rivals through the pits, as Pirelli anticipates the usual Monza one-stop strategy will prevail, despite the softer tire compounds brought for this year’s race. All signs point to the hard tire almost certainly being the compound of choice for that single stop. The decision of whether to start on softs or mediums will depend on how aggressively teams want to attack the frantic dash down to the Rettifilo chicane off the starting line. A softer compound could offer initial grip but might compromise the later stages of the race if degradation is high.
While Ferrari genuinely faces their best chance of the year to finally break Red Bull’s iron grip on the 2023 season, Sainz harbors no illusions about the immense challenge ahead. Becoming the 12th driver to secure a home victory for Ferrari in Italy will demand a flawless performance. “I think we will need to work well as a team and give it our best shot,” Sainz emphasized. “I think it’s a good opportunity tomorrow, but also being realistic, the Red Bull should be quicker. We’re just going to try and make their life as complicated as possible and try to take the win.” The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion at Monza.
Qualifying Times in Full
| Position | Number | Driver | Team | Q1 time | Q2 time (vs Q1) | Q3 time (vs Q2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | 1’21.965 | 1’20.991 (-0.974s) | 1’20.294 (-0.697s) |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’21.573 | 1’20.937 (-0.636s) | 1’20.307 (-0.630s) |
| 3 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’21.788 | 1’20.977 (-0.811s) | 1’20.361 (-0.616s) |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1’22.148 | 1’21.382 (-0.766s) | 1’20.671 (-0.711s) |
| 5 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’21.911 | 1’21.240 (-0.671s) | 1’20.688 (-0.552s) |
| 6 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | 1’21.661 | 1’21.272 (-0.389s) | 1’20.760 (-0.512s) |
| 7 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’22.106 | 1’21.527 (-0.579s) | 1’20.785 (-0.742s) |
| 8 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1’21.977 | 1’21.369 (-0.608s) | 1’20.820 (-0.549s) |
| 9 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’21.995 | 1’21.581 (-0.414s) | 1’20.979 (-0.602s) |
| 10 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’22.043 | 1’21.543 (-0.500s) | 1’21.417 (-0.126s) |
| 11 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 1’21.852 | 1’21.594 (-0.258s) | Missed by 0.013s |
| 12 | 40 | Liam Lawson | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 1’22.112 | 1’21.758 (-0.354s) | Missed by 0.177s |
| 13 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas-Ferrari | 1’22.343 | 1’21.776 (-0.567s) | Missed by 0.195s |
| 14 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’22.249 | 1’21.940 (-0.309s) | Missed by 0.359s |
| 15 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams-Mercedes | 1’21.930 | 1’21.944 (+0.014s) | Missed by 0.363s |
| 16 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’22.390 | Missed by 0.047s | |
| 17 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | 1’22.545 | Missed by 0.202s | |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine-Renault | 1’22.548 | Missed by 0.205s | |
| 19 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas-Ferrari | 1’22.592 | Missed by 0.249s | |
| 20 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’22.860 | Missed by 0.517s |
Sector Times
| Position | Number | Driver | Sector one | Sector two | Sector three | Ultimate lap | Deficit to ultimate lap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | 26.701 (3) | 26.988 (1) | 26.605 (5) | 1’20.294 | – | |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | 26.758 (4) | 27.049 (2) | 26.5 (1) | 1’20.307 | – | |
| 3 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | 26.667 (1) | 27.101 (3) | 26.593 (3) | 1’20.361 | – | |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | 26.889 (6) | 27.159 (4) | 26.594 (4) | 1’20.642 | 0.029 | |
| 5 | 11 | Sergio Perez | 26.904 (8) | 27.171 (5) | 26.574 (2) | 1’20.649 | 0.039 | |
| 6 | 23 | Alexander Albon | 26.672 (2) | 27.363 (9) | 26.724 (7) | 1’20.759 | 0.001 | |
| 7 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | 26.925 (10) | 27.179 (6) | 26.681 (6) | 1’20.785 | – | |
| 8 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | 26.807 (5) | 27.201 (7) | 26.812 (9) | 1’20.820 | – | |
| 9 | 4 | Lando Norris | 26.9 (7) | 27.27 (8) | 26.749 (8) | 1’20.919 | 0.060 | |
| 10 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | 26.91 (9) | 27.527 (11) | 26.9 (10) | 1’21.337 | 0.080 | |
| 11 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 27.032 (14) | 27.462 (10) | 27.078 (13) | 1’21.572 | 0.022 |
| 12 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas-Ferrari | 27.154 (17) | 27.55 (12) | 26.955 (11) | 1’21.659 | 0.117 |
| 13 | 40 | Liam Lawson | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 26.965 (12) | 27.657 (13) | 27.072 (12) | 1’21.694 | 0.064 |
| 14 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 26.968 (13) | 27.73 (14) | 27.147 (14) | 1’21.845 | 0.095 |
| 15 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams-Mercedes | 26.94 (11) | 27.771 (15) | 27.199 (15) | 1’21.910 | 0.020 |
| 16 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 27.051 (15) | 27.978 (18) | 27.309 (16) | 1’22.338 | 0.052 |
| 17 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas-Ferrari | 27.321 (20) | 27.829 (16) | 27.379 (18) | 1’22.529 | 0.063 |
| 18 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | 27.119 (16) | 28.047 (19) | 27.379 (18) | 1’22.545 | – |
| 19 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine-Renault | 27.296 (19) | 27.859 (17) | 27.393 (20) | 1’22.548 | – |
| 20 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 27.267 (18) | 28.076 (20) | 27.363 (17) | 1’22.706 | 0.154 |
Speed Trap
| Position | Number | Driver | Car | Engine | Model | Max kph (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | Ferrari | VF-23 | 351.9 (218.7) |
| 2 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | Ferrari | SF-23 | 350.8 (218.0) |
| 3 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C43 | 350.1 (217.5) |
| 4 | 40 | Liam Lawson | AlphaTauri | Honda RBPT | AT04 | 350.1 (217.5) |
| 5 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C43 | 349.4 (217.1) |
| 6 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | Mercedes | FW45 | 349.1 (216.9) |
| 7 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Ferrari | SF-23 | 348.9 (216.8) |
| 8 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | Mercedes | FW45 | 347.6 (216.0) |
| 9 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | Renault | A523 | 346.9 (215.6) |
| 10 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL60 | 346.8 (215.5) |
| 11 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR23 | 346.5 (215.3) |
| 12 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | Honda RBPT | AT04 | 346.5 (215.3) |
| 13 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | Renault | A523 | 346.3 (215.2) |
| 14 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | Honda RBPT | RB19 | 345.9 (214.9) |
| 15 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda RBPT | RB19 | 344.0 (213.8) |
| 16 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR23 | 343.6 (213.5) |
| 17 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL60 | 343.5 (213.4) |
| 18 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | Ferrari | VF-23 | 341.3 (212.1) |
| 19 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes | W14 | 340.6 (211.6) |
| 20 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | Mercedes | W14 | 338.6 (210.4) |
Over to you
How realistic are Ferrari’s chances of ending Red Bull’s winning run at home? Share your views on the Italian Grand Prix in the comments below.
2023 Italian Grand Prix Further Reading
- Despite close battles at Monza, F1 drivers want more powerful DRS
- Monza “frustrating” for Alonso but Aston Martin expect better form in coming races
- F1 changed rules to stop Mercedes in 2021 but we won’t ‘cry foul’ now – Wolff
- McLaren will bring ‘follow-up to Austria upgrade’ before focusing on 2024 car
- Magnussen explains why his driving style rarely works with the Haas VF-23
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