Italian media clear: 'Madness at McLaren, Verstappen and Red Bull in crisis'

Corriere della Sera

Corriere della Sera describes a popular celebration in Monza after Leclerc's victory. Ferrari, who have often made blunders in terms of strategy in the past, did not let themselves be tempted by McLaren when the British Formula 1 team brought in race leader Oscar Piastri towards the closing stages of the race. As such, Leclerc drove towards his first win since his home victory in Monaco. Once again, it was McLaren that - both strategically and in terms of decisions about their drivers - make mistakes.

"Leclerc, an instinctive driver often inclined to push limits and risks, showed the decisive qualities to become a future champion. He took care of the tyres for 38 laps and followed the pit wall's instructions." Although, according to the newspaper, he also showed his "impulsive nature" when he responded to his engineer in a manner reminiscent of a Kimi Raikkonen saying, "Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing!"

Diretta

Italian sports medium Diretta saw Ferrari triumph thanks to a strategic blunder by McLaren and a strategic gamble by Ferrari that worked out excellently. "Charles wins ahead of the two McLarens of Piastri and Norris thanks to strategy and a touch of madness. Leclerc was incredible. Thanks to the insane strategy of not changing tyres at the end, the Monegasque triumphed in Monza ahead of the very fast McLarens. Verstappen finished only sixth in a Red Bull in crisis," the medium concluded.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

The Italian newspaper opens with praise for Leclerc, who won for the second time at Monza. Also in 2019, the Monegasque put Ferrari's home race to his name. "But then he had only just arrived at Ferrari, accompanied by the recklessness of someone who had nothing to lose. This time he triumphed in a much more deliberate way, with a strategic choice that required imagination and courage in devising it (together with his engineers), but which could not be done without a top driver, capable of making it concrete and winning with lucidity and outstanding tyre management."

"Monza confirmed all McLaren's philosophical shortcomings in the face of a world championship that can and - given the current value of their car and Red Bull's problems - perhaps should be won. The team has been fumbling for months now and failing to take advantage of the opportunities that have presented themselves. Seeing Piastri slip past Norris on the first lap (also losing his position to Leclerc) and not letting him take second place on the final lap is an example of truly record-breaking self-destruction. Team orders are annoying to impose, but losing titles that can be won is certainly much worse."

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton