Charles Leclerc claimed the win for Ferrari at the team's home race at Monza on Sunday after driving a sensational one-stop race to see off the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Norris, who started on pole, got away badly for the second race in succession, but overall it was a good weekend for McLaren who moved to within eight points of Red Bull in the Constructors Championship.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the race Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur said: “It’s been a good weekend, qualifying we were disappointed the pace was good but the race went very very well. From the beginning of the season, we are better on the race pace than on qualifying.
“Everything went well today and when it’s working like this it’s perfect.”
His comments were echoed by race winner Leclerc who said: “It’s an incredible feeling, I thought the first time felt like this, and the second time wouldn’t feel as special, but the emotions in the last few laps were exactly the same as in 2019, just watching the Grandstand inside of the track which is tricky, just incredible.
“Monaco and Monza are the two races I want to win every year, obviously I want to win as many races as possible and the world championship as soon as possible, but these are the two most important races of the season and I managed to win them both, so it’s so, so special.”
Asked to talk about the upgrades to the car and if Ferrari can keep challenging for wins, he added: “I don’t know because I think our package was working pretty well on a track like Monza, if it will be the same for the rest of the season, I still think the McLarens are the favourites, we have taken a step forward that is for sure.
“Baku is a nice track for me and I’ve been quite competitive there in the past so who knows, maybe we can do something special there.”
Results:
1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)
8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
12. Franco Colapinto (Williams)
13. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
14. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
17. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
18. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
DNF. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
Papaya rules 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 1, 2024
And Oscar was in no mood to wait around 💪#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/6wnNtYF7QV
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