Carlos Sainz led the day at Monza

ferrari The home Grand Prix started well. Two sessions, and both are for locals. The first, for Leclerc. The second, for Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard overtook in FP2 Max Verstappen with an advantage of 0”143 to and 0”193 over his partner Charles Leclerc (3rd). ferrari He left good feelings after one lap, but doubts were maximum. Italians are usually very conservative with their engine power on Fridays, more than red bullbut we will have to wait until this Saturday to see the true potential of the Italians.

If the Ferrari season does not lie and he takes a step forward in terms of speed on this track compared to Spaperhaps this could indicate that Ferrari bet after the engine fire of sainz in Austria for being more conservative and lowering the power of its engines. Perhaps they prioritize reliability and that would explain the Italians’ dramatic retreat in the later rounds compared to red bull. Being the gp and house of ferrariand has a title almost in the hand of Verstappen, the Italians can demand more from the driver this weekend in search of a home victory that will remove the bitter taste of the tifosi for a day. A little water in the middle of the desert will not hurt the loyal fans of the transalpine, which this Friday began to fill the route of Monza and to strongly encourage their pilots.

But all that is speculation. This Saturday, and especially Sunday, will leave doubts. For classification, Leclerc He starts as the favorite due to the many penalties of his rivals. Carlos Sainz will start from the back due to an engine and gearbox change, with a penalty of less than hamilton Y boots, which in the meantime, in the absence of more sanctions, the last two places are moot. For his part, Verstappen had 5 penalty positions for changing the internal combustion engine and Pérez, 10 penalty positions. So, of the above, the only one facing classification without penalties is Charles.

In this context, the Monegasque can bring joy to Italian fans this Saturday with a pole position that, however, at the moment seems like bread for today and hunger for tomorrow. Because in the long run, Verstappen is higher compared to ferrari. Yes Max This Saturday he achieved first place and will finish 6th. And from there, if his superiority was in the earlier races, he wouldn’t break a sweat to win again by walking. So, the doubt is on Ferrari. Can the transalpines take a step forward? Theory says Max is still the favorite.

Alonzo, 9th

Ferdinand Alonso He finished the first day in ninth position. The accumulation of punishments there are for this Sunday, which you can add Mike Schumacher After an engine problem in FP2 this Friday, they give the Asturian a chance to qualify in a good position.

The pilot from Oviedo was overtaken by Stephen Ocon, and it is that the Frenchman’s freshest engine can make a difference on straight Monzas. Apart from his team-mate, Norris has moved up and both Mercedes are faster now, with Russell 5th and Hamilton 7th, but Lewis will also start from the back. In Verstappen, Sainz, Perez and Hamilton with penalty, and with Leclerc up, Norris, Russell Y Or together They are considered Oviedo’s main rivals.