CHARLES IS THE MONZA DARLING
Leclerc holds off Hamilton to delight Tifosi
SHAMBOLIC qualifying was quickly forgotten as Charles Leclerc secured a thrilling triumph on Ferrari’s home turf.
After landing pole for the Italian Grand Prix in bizarre fashion, Leclerc held off Mercedes rivals Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas for 53 laps at Monza to notch his second win in as many weeks.
In taking the chequered flag in front of the buoyant Tifosi, Leclerc, 21, became the first Ferrari driver to win at Italy’s Temple of Speed since Fernando Alonso in 2010.
Hamilton was looking to upset the Ferrari faithful for a record sixth time but an uncharacteristic mistake saw him finish third behind team-mate Bottas.
With 11 laps left, Hamilton went off at the first corner as he pursued Leclerc, allowing Bottas through. But, despite fresher tyres, Bottas crossed the line just eight-tenths shy of the Ferrari’s rising star.
Hamilton’s championship lead over second-placed Bottas was cut but he still holds a 63-point lead with seven races remaining.
Leclerc said: “I have never been so tired. I finished first and I’m very happy. I need to be careful with the mistakes but none of them made me lose position.”
Hamilton had earlier accused Leclerc of “dangerous driving” but was gracious in defeat and said: “Charles did a great job. He came under a lot of pressure.
“I did the best I could, but following so closely for so many laps, the tyres just went off.”
Leclerc’s experienced teammate Sebastian Vettel endured another miserable outing.
Vettel was handed a 10-second penalty for failing to rejoin the track safely following a ludicrous incident that almost saw him wipe out Racing Point’s Lance Stroll.
The four-time world champion finished 13th, firmly in the shade of his young team-mate.
The Monaco maestro’s credentials were tested to the limit and he was perhaps fortunate to escape a penalty from the stewards on several occasions.
On lap 23 he was shown a black and white flag – a ticking off from F1 chiefs – after squeezing Hamilton on to the gravel.
Then 13 laps later the Ferrari star locked up at the chicane and missed the turn two corner. That left Hamilton raging about “some dangerous driving going on”.
But again the stewards decided no investigation was necessary.
Leclerc’s jubilation was evident after crossing the line. “Yes. Yes. Yes. Mamma Mia,” he cheered over the team radio. And the Ferrari faithful were finally able to cheer a home hero again.