Clamorous victory of the Ferrari at Monza with Charles Leclerc in the Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix 2024: the Monegasque, with a one-stop strategy, crossed the finish line ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastri e Lando Norris. Fourth the other driver of the red Carlos Sainz. Monza celebrates not only the success of the House of Maranello but also the record number of spectators: more than 335 thousand.
“This extraordinary public deserved Ferrari’s victory – was the comment of the president of the Automobile Club of Italy, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, who awarded on the podium together with the Undersecretary of State at the Mef. Federico Freni, the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana and Pirelli’s Executive Vice President, Marco Tronchetti Provera – and Charles Leclerc’s victory. The explosion of joy, which has not been recorded since 2019, was a testimony to how much desire there was to pay tribute to this great applause, to express this great enthusiasm for a victory that certainly reopens the World Championship. All this gives us hope that in the last part of the season the results can be consistent and consequent to this victory. The Automobile Club d’ Italia (Federation of Sports Automobilism) and Italian motorsport embrace with much affection and enthusiasm Charles Leclerc, who is back to being the one of 2019.”
“In this happy weekend I also emphasize the record public repaid by this splendid victory, which was also a way to celebrate the new track,” added the ACI president. A track that showed its qualities, allowing Leclerc, for example, to run 38 laps on the same tires. This is undoubtedly thanks to the extraordinary driving by Charles and perhaps also to the paving. Finally, I congratulate Leonardo Fornaroli for winning the Formula 3 championship.”
Formula 3: Fornaroli third and champion. Minì disqualified
Finishing third in the Feature Race at Monza, Leonardo Fornaroli (Trident) became Formula 3 champion: a podium finish achieved on the last lap with an overtaking move on Christian Mansell. That maneuver had made second place a very valid Gabriele Minì (Prema Racing), vain in terms of classification. But the ACI Team Italia driver was later removed from the finishing order for a technical irregularity (tire pressure). The victory of the race went to the French Sami Meguetounif (Trident).
Fornaroli, who will turn 20 on Dec. 3, captured the championship without winning any races. “We did it to clinch this blessed title,” Fornaroli commented at the end of the race, “It was not a perfect race, because I made several mistakes and did not treat the tires properly. I knew that the only chance to win the title was to pass Mansell, I arrived at the last corner with the idea of trying “It was do or die.” He was fair, giving me the right amount of space, and I was able to pass. I thank Trident, my family, sponsors, trainer and coach There are no words to describe this.”
“Obviously I am a little disappointed that I was not able to bring the title home,” Minì had commented before the disqualification, “but second place at the finish line is what I should have done to try to win. I gave everything but I am very happy about that, so I want to thank my team, Alpine, ACI, the sponsors my family and everyone who supported me this season.”
Formula 2: Bortoleto wins. Antonelli at the foot of the podium
The Formula 2 race was won by Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto (Invicta Racing), who started last and accomplished a feat. Kimi Antonelli (Prema) finished fourth. “It was quite a complicated race – explained the Bolognese driver of ACI Team Italia who will race in F1 next year with Mercedes -: a lot of things happened, too bad for the Safety Car because the podium was within my reach. In the end I am happy, the pace was good. Now I’m thinking about Baku.”