Max Verstappen’s dominance is the season storyline.
The Italian Grand Prix went ahead with a solemn mood cast over the weekend. On the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, the United Kingdom was rocked by the news that its Queen, Elizabeth II, had passed away at 96. Queen Elizabeth was a much-loved global figure, and the sad and emotional news was felt all around the World, including in the Formula One paddock.
With Formula One being a global event, the race would still go ahead as planned, unlike many sporting events held in Great Britain over the weekend. It was the right decision for the race to go ahead, and the touching and emotional tributes paid to the Queen over the weekend showed the love and high regard that was felt for Queen Elizabeth all over the World.
When the racing action got underway, the passionate Ferrari supporting home crowd had high expectations that the Scuderia team could halt Max Verstappen’s march towards a 2nd World Title. Charles Leclerc had qualified on pole position, and due to a five-grid penalty for more new engine parts, Verstappen would start in 7th place on the grid.
However, the dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull is at the moment.
Ferrari and Leclerc could do nothing to stop the Dutchman from winning a 5th consecutive Grand Prix, meaning he could mathematically become World Champion in the next race at Singapore if the results go his way.
By the start of lap 2, Verstappen had already moved himself up into 3rd place, and after then quickly passing George Russell, he was chasing down Leclerc for the lead by lap 5. During a virtual safety car on lap 11, Leclerc chose to pit for fresh tyres, but Verstappen stayed out to take the information, believing it was too early to go to the end of the race on one set of tyres from that point.
Some people have questioned Ferrari’s decision to pit so early that it required an extra pit stop to Red Bull. However, I feel Ferrari had to try something different to beat Red Bull. Ultimately, whatever they tried would still lead to another Verstappen and Red Bull victory. Eventually, Verstappen and Red Bull got the strategy right, and Verstappen would win the race from Leclerc in 2nd to open up a massive 116-point lead in the Driver’s Championship standings with just six races remaining.
The race, however, did not end without controversy.
With five laps remaining, the entire safety car was brought out to recover the stricken McLaren car of Daniel Ricciardo. Due to problems moving the car from the side of the track, by the time the track was clear, there were not enough laps left to restart the race in the correct procedure.
This brought back memories of the end of last season and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when by not following the procedure and trying to manipulate the end of the race, the race director rushed the restart process, and Max, at the time, Verstappen controversially became the World Champion. Thankfully this time, just like on every other occasion apart from in Abu Dhabi, all rules were followed, and, albeit not ideal for the fans, the race ended behind the safety car.
This does prompt the question of whether a new procedure should be available when a safety car is needed in the race’s closing stages. The current Formula One red flag process would pause the race, but it takes too long to restart due to all drivers going back to the pits and leaving their cars, which requires a 10-minute warning before any racing can restart. Due to this process, the red flag should, and is, only used when it is necessary. For example, a crash has caused a safety barrier to become damaged and requires extensive repairs.
An alternative solution could be a ‘racing pause,’ where the race is stopped like a red flag. This way, the tyres can be kept warm, and cars kept cool and prevented from overheating like they are on the grid before the race. It would also mean there would be no requirement for a 10-minute re-start warning, and racing could resume as soon as it is safe. However, the cars line up on the grid in the current race order, and no driver leave their cars.
For me, there has to be a way for races to end in full racing conditions at all times, but also, crucially, this must be done safely, fairly, and in line with all rules. This way, the fans don’t leave the circuit frustrated and unhappy like at Monza yesterday. Also, there is never another controversy and rule-breaking season-defining moment like in Abu Dhabi last year.
With the Russian GP canceled on September 25 in protest of the Ukraine invasion, the next Formula 1 event will be held in Singapore. Practice sessions will be held on September 30, with the race scheduled for Sunday, October 2.
