Monza knows how to release emotional components and stimuli capable of overturning almost obvious values. Ferrari begins to believe it, from today. Then anything can happen
It started in another way, and it is useless now to live with regrets. It was a beautiful spring, with an intense red color, and the Cavallino fans enjoyed it all. Then the matter took a different turn and now it is no longer just a question of reliability and errors in the garage (which alas, continue to occur), now Red Bull is no longer fighting. And in races, Mercedes also often travels faster. There is only one big chance to bring out the pride, a kind of giant “all-in” in poker. It’s called Monza, it goes on stage in just six days. Max Verstappen has already won this World Cup for a while and, while waiting for the title to become arithmetic, he takes off the last possible whims. Winning at home, as happened yesterday. Repeat on Sunday, in Italy, which would give it a particular taste. Stopping him would instead give Ferrari a huge smile, able to make people forget the rather bitter double trip from Spa and Zandvoort. But is this redhead capable of beating Max? What does it take to make the world go back to a few months ago and blow up a people who have long since guaranteed a full house in the stands? Enzo Ferrari invested the greatest energies on the Italian GP: innovations were introduced and extra horsepower was sought for the engine in all corners of Maranello. Monza often made it possible to save the season, and nothing symbolizes it more than the 1988 double with Berger in front of Alboreto when the Drake was gone less than a month. This is not the case: the vintage of the Cavallino is more than enough. But losing is bothersome. And therefore it is necessary first of all that the F1-75 is at the maximum of its technical possibilities. Then the drivers need to regain the strength put to the test by Belgium and Holland. Finally, the box wall (including the remote garage) and the mechanics must be perfect. Which these days, given also Sainz’s first stop yesterday, requires something akin to a profession of faith. Nobody thinks it is easy to fit the whole plan, from the set-up prepared in the simulator to the race pace in free practice, from the chase to pole to tactics during the GP. Carlos, however, will almost certainly replace the hybrid part of the power unit, losing places on the grid.