The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Frenchman soaks up shocking win as Hamilton nets penalty
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly claimed an unlikely victory at the Italian Grand Prix after a chaotic race which saw world champion Lewis Hamilton given a 10-second stop-go penalty and both Ferraris fail to finish at their home circuit on Sunday.
It was Gasly’s first win in Formula One. The 24-year-old Frenchman finished 0.415 seconds ahead of McLaren driver Carlos Sainz and 3.358 ahead of Racing Point’s Lance Stroll on an entirely unexpected podium. None of the three drivers had won a race and each had only one top-three finish to their name.
Hamilton appeared on course for a comfortable victory from pole position but he was given the penalty for entering the pit lane after it closed to allow crews to clear Kevin Magnussen’s stricken car that had come to a stop nearby
Hamilton, however, kept his championship lead of 47 points, with Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas moving into second after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had to retire with a mechanical problem. Verstappen is now 54 points behind Hamilton, who remains the favorite to win a seventh title to tie Michael Schumacher’s record.
Hamilton finished seventh, 17.245 behind Gasly, who was emotional as he crossed the line to become the first French winner at any GP since Olivier Panis in 1996.
“It was such a crazy race. The car was fast, and to go through so much in the space of 18 months. First podium last year (in Brazil), now first victory in Monza. I have no words,” said Gasly, who was dropped by Red Bull last year.
Gasly celebrated wildly with his team but then, after the trophy presentation, was seen sitting down on the top spot of the podium alone. He had a moment to reflect on his achievement, as he took a swig of champagne surrounded by ticker-tape.
“I would have never expected that a year ago,” Gasly said. “The podium was already unexpected, a big, big highlight last year.
“I sat down and I had a lot of things crossing my mind, obviously first of all my family, my friend and all the people who supported me. You just remember everything you’ve been through … It was a very special moment. It’s been a crazy ride in the last few months. It’s just unbelievable, I’m still struggling to realize what we’ve just achieved.”
Sainz hustled Gasly all the way to the checkered flag as both strove for their first win.
“I wouldn’t have believed that I would have got a chance to fight for victory today. I think it’s what we deserved,” Sainz said.
Ferrari’s abysmal weekend continued as Sebastian Vettel had a brake failure on Lap 7 and he limped into the pits with his rightrear brake disc in flames. It was the four-time champion’s first DNF at Monza in his 14th start.
Vettel’s teammate Charles Leclerc had made it into fourth but lost the rear of the car under acceleration through Parabolica on Lap 25 and crashed into the barriers, causing the race to be red flagged. By that time Hamilton’s penalty had been announced.