Italian media on Ferrari loss: 'Bitterness in front of the home crowd'

Ferrari rediscovers team spirit

Even though Max Verstappen once again took home the win, there is still a positive feeling in the Italian media. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport Ferrari has done everything to win its home race and this time no mistakes were made by Mattia Binotto and the team.

"The truth is that Monza, above all, ensured that the team spirit was rediscovered, which allows us to look ahead to 2023 with fundamental confidence. This time Binotto and his men did everything they had to do. Even at strategic level, Ferrari is not to blame." According to the Italian newspaper, Charles Leclerc's early pit stop was the right attempt to create more chances in the second half of the race.

Corriere dello Sport calls Ferrari's loss "bitter". It is possible that Leclerc would have had a chance to win in the final stages of the race if the race had been restarted behind the safety car, but nothing is certain. "The Ferrari driver didn't even get the chance to challenge Max Verstappen, because the race ended behind the safety car. Of course, it is not certain that the Monegasque would have won, as the Dutchman was going very fast and had deserved first place up to that point. The fact remains that there is bitterness, especially in front of the home crowd."

Luck on Verstappens side

Corriere della Sera is also not happy with the way the race ended. The Italian newspaper therefore cites luck on Verstappen's side. "Max Verstappen still missed out on victory at Monza. He succeeded at the eighth attempt (with a lot of merit and a pinch of luck that now seems to be his ally) at the end of a race that the FIA undignifiedly ruined by letting it end before the safety car. Let's leave conspiracies aside, but in fact Verstappen was able to accelerate immediately after the VSC ended, preventing Leclerc from taking full advantage of the quicker pit stop."

"Ferrari celebrated half with Leclerc's podium and a very possible third place for Carlos Sainz, who made a mad comeback from eighteenth place. In a weekend full of pressure and expectations, there are reasons to smile, especially because of Ferrari's rediscovered competitiveness", adds Sky Sports Italia. The battle for the title appears to be over but, according to Italian media, Ferrari should feel good about shifting its focus to next season.