For a track that only has one drag reduction system zone, there was a lot of overtaking happening.
Glad to see paternity leave isn’t slowing Max Verstappen down. He took the lead from Oscar Piastri and checked out. I had flashbacks to the 2023 season when any unfortunate soul started in front of him. I still have to turn off the stream before the Dutch national anthem comes on, or I’ll start humming it in my sleep.
Pour one up from my boy Piastri. I’m 21 now, I can say that.
Kimi, Kimi, Kimi, can’t you see? Kimi Antonelli invited his entire class to his first home race as a Formula One driver. How sweet (Why don’t things like this happen to me?). He put up a strong 34-lap defense against Lewis Hamilton. I guess that’s the talent Toto Wolff invested in. Unfortunately, Antonelli subsequently crashed out of the race in front of his classmates. I hope they didn’t make fun of him in school on Monday.
His teammate George Russell also had a dismal weekend. The strategy, whatever it was, did not go well for him. He qualified in the top three, as he’s made a habit of this season, and somehow ended up behind the two Ferrari cars that started in 11th and 12th.
The Mercedes strategy team has had just as many misses as hits since 2019. It just had the fastest car and greatest driver ever, so it didn’t look too bad. But people aren’t ready for that conversation. That’s exactly what is happening at McLaren; its strategy is often lacking, and that has cost them before, but sometimes the fallout is minimal because the car is so fast.
Fernando Alonso. Unc claims he’s the “unluckiest driver in the world” as he continues his disappointing run with another pointless race weekend. No disrespect, but I gather there are, and have been, far unluckier drivers than him — especially at Imola.
But he’s just like me for real. We’re both always discussing how Hamilton is performing. We might have to team up and buy merch since we’re both such big fans.
Alexander “Let’s not be stupid, guys” Albon sat in a podium place for most of the race. I’d say his team isn’t as incompetent as he thinks. It seems to be getting it right with him and his consistent points-scoring weekends.
Frederic Vasseur, I am begging you to sort this out. If qualifying made the Tifosi (Italian racing fans) want to jump in the Seine, the race was a nice stroll down the French Riviera. A shorter safety car and we would’ve seen Hamilton on the podium in front of the Tifosi.
But! We’re getting dunked on in our own backyard. If we need more engineers, I know a few! If we need a new communications team, sign me up! The team needs a good shakeup — except the pit crew, they deserve custom Ferraris.
Both drivers did their thing today. Charles Leclerc was just a little unlucky with that move on Albon.
When I say forza, you say Ferrari! Forza! … FerRaRi!
Isack Hadjar — I will not forget this performance.
I enjoyed that. I’m not particularly excited about the race in Monaco because I doubt a lot will happen, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Ferrari podium.
