Fernando Alonso, Alpine driver. /
Italian GP
The Spaniard will equal Räikkönen in Monza as the driver with the most Grand Prix races in the history of Formula 1
The ‘temple of speed’ cliché is used too gleefully and too often wrongly in the Formula 1 literature. Few circuits can honor that appellation, and the one that certainly can is Monza. The legendary track north of Milan will host its 100th race this weekend – races were already being held here before F1 as such existed – and will also serve as the flying finish line for the grand prix triplet that started in Belgium, went through the Netherlands and will end up in central Italy. Those who know the history of the Spanish Empire of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries will smile when they see this trip.
An emperor of Formula 1, at least for the average Spanish fan, is Fernando Alonso, and what better way to crown a new milestone in his career than at home where he was once very happy. The oldest rider on the grid by age (41 years old) will equal the mark of 350 grand prix races, a milestone that Kimi Räikkönen had so far alone. The record, which will remain in the hands of Alonso from the next race in Singapore, is nothing special for him… or so he says.
“It’s a good achievement and obviously it’s great to tie Kimi for the most Formula 1 races. Honestly though, I try not to think too much about the records and keep my focus,” he says of “a great achievement” that he will remember for a time. Alonso will be the one to put the new dispute ceiling in the premier category of motorsports in a few years, when he ends his contract with Aston Martin. According to his own words it will be, at least, in two years.
Landing on the primary target, Alonso will be looking to maintain his points run. He was joking in Zandvoort about that promise he made to himself months ago in Barcelona, when he said that he was going to score points in ten consecutive races. He has made it and now he wants more. Few circuits are better than this one, a track where the very high speed (it is no coincidence that several teams expressly carry a unique rear wing for this race) and the very strong braking (the first chicane is not suitable for cowards) can give many joys or many dislikes depending on who and how they are taken.
Ferrari reta al mal fario
Ferrari will seek precisely in Italy to recover its breath after the embarrassing result of Zandvoort. With Carlos Sainz still hurt by that pit stop that has caused a volcano of ‘memes’ to erupt on the networks, the Scuderia races at home and before thousands of tifosi who want to see their gladiators at the top. The atmosphere that is always lived in the stands of Monza can become a rival for the men under the orders of an increasingly questioned Mattia Binotto, who knows that much more than a race is at stake in the coming days.
Beyond sports, Ferrari wants to commemorate its 75th anniversary at home with a special decoration that defies superstition. The yellow ‘giallo’ of the coat of arms of Modena, hometown of ‘Commendatore’ Enzo Ferrari, will dominate the upper part of the two Scuderia single-seaters, whose drivers will also wear suits of this color. Traditionally related to bad luck, from Maranello they have pulled home pride to try to put an end to that chain of failures that has haunted them for several races. You just have to see how they present themselves, with Mercedes lurking in the Constructors’ World Cup and Charles Leclerc (last winner in red here, in 2019) tied on points with a more than discreet Sergio Pérez.
There is no other option but to improve and, above all, show pride. Carlos Sainz has it clear. «I compete for Ferrari, in Monza, with a competitive car. It is something that must be appreciated much more, enjoyed much more. That is my goal and then we will see how the weekend goes, how the car behaves and everything else. I am going to try to focus a little more on that approach », he stated in the days leading up to a very stressful weekend.
