Formula One returned with a bang following the summer break as Lando Norris and McLaren set the benchmark for the rest of the grid following a statement win in the Netherlands. Ahead of the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull have a lot of catching up to do if they want to remain in the title fight.
As racing moves to the Temple of Speed, here’s our preview and predictions for the 2024 Italian Grand Prix.
A genuine threat
The championship has taken quite a turn in the last few rounds. Verstappen has been winless in the last five races, with McLaren and Mercedes taking the reins up front. McLaren’s Lando Norris put in a commanding drive at Verstappen’s home ground to win the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix; the young Brit is a genuine candidate for the championship now.
Norris put in a measured and experienced drive after losing the lead from pole position once again, maintaining his composure to pick up a big win. McLaren have had the fastest car for the majority of the season and they finally seem to be utilising their pace. The Red Bull car, on the other hand, is far from the ideal championship candidate and will need big upgrades soon to address the issues and catch up with the likes of McLaren, Mercedes, and even Ferrari.
Pole Position Prediction: McLaren / Red Bull
Race Win Prediction: Lando Norris / Max Verstsappen
Home advantage
It’s not been the best of times for Ferrari since Charles Leclerc’s win in Monaco, though they do return to home soil after taking a podium finish in the Netherlands, showing strong race pace on Sunday. They were woefully off the pace on Friday and Saturday, however, especially at the slow corners.
Leclerc, who bagged P3 in the Netherlands, was considerably quicker than Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Now moving to the home race, Leclerc and the whole Ferrari team will be looking for a strong weekend given the improvements shown in qualifying and main race in the Netherlands. Expect the Scuderia to do well in front of their home crowd.
Dark Horses: Ferrari
Tough return
With Carlos Sainz announced as their driver from next year onwards, Williams Racing were looking to put up strong performance to show the Spaniard their upward trajectory, but the Grove-based team had a nightmare outing on Sunday in the Netherlands, enduring another point-less weekend.
Logan Sargeant had a massive crash in FP3, which resulted in him missing Qualifying. Alex Albon, meanwhile, was disqualified from Qualifying due to breaching technical regulations, which was a big hit to the team given the Thai-British driver had taken the Wiliams to Q3.
On Sunday, Albon tried something different by stopping early, but there was just no pace in the Williams machinery as they finished a low P14. Sargeant finished a couple of places behind Albon, in P16.
While Albon produced a strong one-lap pace on Saturday, the race pace needed to stay in the points was missing, and it doesn’t look like the British team will be able to turn things around quickly enough.
Expect another tough weekend for Williams in Monza. They lie ninth in the Constructors’ Standings, with just Sauber bebeath them in the table, and are nine points off Alpine in eighth.
Also read: Formula One Sponsors 2024
Italian Grand Prix 2024 Race Details
Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Venue: Monza, Italy
Practice Session 1 time: 17:00, August 30
Practice Session 2 time: 20:30, August 30
Practice Session 3 time: 16:00, August 31
Qualifying time: 19:30, August 31
Main race time: 18:30, September 1
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode
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