Ferrari’s nine year victory less spell at Italian Grand Prix comes to an end with Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc led the race from pole position to secure his second grand prix victory this weekend.
The 21-year-old Monegasque driver kept rival team drivers, Valterri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, at bay through-out the race.
However, intense fight ended up with a victory for Ferrari and its fans. This was the second continuous victory for the team this season by the young driver.
This year’s victory of Ferrari was dedicated to Antoine Hubert, who died in a crash during Formula 2 racing, by Leclerc. He dedicated his victory to to his friend with engraved “RIP Toni” words on his steering wheel.
The Italian team last victory at their home ground was in 2010. Fernando Alonso had crowned himself in Monza.
But the victory at Monza this year was celebrated and cheered by Tifosi – Sceduria Ferrari fans – and the team.
“What a race. I’ve never been so tired,” Leclerc told Sky.
“I made a few mistakes but in the end I finished first so I’m very happy with this. I need to be careful with the mistakes but obviously none of them made me lose position today.”
‘Charles kept Hamilton at bay’
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Championship leader, kept the pressure on Leclerc and was engaged in a fight for top position.
But Hamilton left the battle to his team-mate Bottas to try and give a hard time to Ferrari.
The Finn was quick to narrow the gap between Leclerc and himself. But unluckily a braking error caused him to stay behind Leclerc.
Hamilton, who is leading the championship, still have comfortable standing. He leads the championship with 284 points with 63 points lead over his team mate Bottas.
“Congratulations to Ferrari and Charles, he did a great job,” Hamilton told the reporter. “There was a lot of pressure from both Valtteri and I. I did the best I could.
“Obviously following so closely for such a long time, the tires eventually just went off a cliff. But nonetheless they were just quicker today, much quicker in a straight line and so even if we did get close we couldn’t pass.
“Not our day but still strong points for the team. We pull away from Ferrari in the constructors’ championship and that’s what really matters.”
