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This weekend’s Formula 1 race at Monza was nothing short of a strategic masterclass from Ferrari. Despite expectations that they would follow a two-stop strategy like most teams, the Scuderia defied the odds. Charles Leclerc managed to stretch his hard tires for an incredible 38 laps, a feat that seemed impossible as other teams, including Red Bull and McLaren, started to experience tire degradation after just 22 laps.

For Ferrari, winning at Monza is a dream come true—especially for the Italian team. This victory marks the second time Leclerc has stood on the top step of the podium at this iconic circuit. It was a bittersweet race for McLaren, who seemed poised for a win. Lando Norris, who started well from the front row alongside his teammate Oscar Piastri, couldn’t capitalize on his early momentum.

Before the race, there was much speculation about potential team orders at McLaren. Norris, being the closest rival to Max Verstappen in the championship, was expected to receive preferential treatment. However, the team made it clear: no orders, just clean racing. Despite this, Piastri overtook Norris on the first lap—a move that may not have been anticipated by Norris and seemed to compromise his race as he dropped another position to one of the Ferraris.

The weather this weekend played a significant role in the race’s outcome. The extreme heat pushed both drivers and their cars to the limit, with cockpit temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. This led to higher-than-expected tire degradation and even caused an incident during Thursday’s safety car run, where the safety car itself hit the barriers after losing grip.

Pit stops were also affected by the heat. Several teams, including Red Bull and Mercedes, suffered from unusually long pit stops, which ultimately played into Ferrari’s hands. With only one stop, Ferrari clinched the victory by a narrow margin of 2.8 seconds—a race-winning decision in a sport where every second counts.

Despite their disappointing finish, McLaren remains a strong contender in the Constructors’ Championship. They are now only eight points behind Red Bull, with Ferrari trailing by 30 points. With eight races left in the season, including two sprint races, the battle for the Constructors’ title is far from over. The Drivers’ Championship is also heating up, with Norris closing the gap to Verstappen, now trailing by 62 points.

As we look ahead, there’s much work to be done by the teams vying for the title. Many teams rolled out upgrades post-summer break, but the heat in Monza may have masked their true performance. Ferrari appears to be maintaining its form, while Red Bull has shown signs of vulnerability. Helmut Marko has been vocal about wanting the front wings of Mercedes and McLaren to be checked for eligibility, hinting at potential controversies down the line.

Red Bull is facing internal turbulence as well. With Christian Horner under scrutiny and key personnel like Jonathan Wheatley leaving, the team seems less stable than in previous years. Adrian Newey, their legendary aerodynamicist, is also stepping back, which could impact their performance.

While Verstappen remains the favorite to win the Drivers’ Championship, the Constructors’ title is still up for grabs. My money is currently on McLaren, but with four teams and eight drivers capable of winning any given race, it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top.

As we enter the final eight races of the season, it’s a great time for new fans to tune in. The next year will see teams using the same cars, making this season a precursor to what’s to come. The excitement is only growing, and so is the unpredictability.

Before wrapping up, a quick note on some of the other stories making waves:

• Kimi Antonelli had a rough start in his first F1 practice session, crashing in George Russell’s Mercedes. Despite the setback, Mercedes announced his signing shortly after, showing their confidence in the young talent.
• Logan Sargeant has been replaced at Williams by Franco Colapinto after a series of underwhelming performances. Colapinto managed a 12th place finish in Monza, a decent start for the new driver.
• In IndyCar, Conor Daly finally secured a podium finish at the Milwaukee Mile after years of perseverance. Daly, son of Irish F1 legend Derek Daly, is a popular figure in the IndyCar community, and his success has been met with widespread congratulations.
• Alex Dunne had an impressive weekend in F3, scoring 18 points—the most he’s secured in a single weekend this season. Although he didn’t win the championship, his performance this year and his backing by McLaren bode well for his future in the sport.

The season is far from over, and as the drama unfolds on and off the track, the battle for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just tuning in, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the excitement of Formula 1.