FYI: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secures a thrilling victory at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix with a brilliant one-stop strategy.
Charles Leclerc Triumphs at the 2024 Italian F1 Grand Prix
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc showcased remarkable tyre management to clinch victory at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, overcoming fierce competition from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Clever Strategy Pays Off
Starting from fourth on the grid, Leclerc deployed a high-risk one-stop strategy, opting to make his medium tyres last longer. He eventually switched to hard tyres on lap 15 and remained on those till the end of the race. This decision allowed him to maintain a consistent pace and secure a notable win at Monza.
Race Day Highlights
- Oscar Piastri finished second, trailing Leclerc by 2.5 seconds.
- Lando Norris claimed third place and a bonus point for the fastest lap, ending up 6 seconds behind Leclerc.
- Carlos Sainz, whose strategy mirrored Leclerc’s, finished fourth after an intense race.
- Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five for Mercedes-Benz AMG.
Dramatic Start and Key Moments
Norris began the race from pole position, with Piastri alongside on the front row. Leclerc’s initial battle for placement saw him capitalising on a tussle between the McLaren drivers, allowing him to challenge for the top spots early on. Meanwhile, a mistake from Mercedes’ George Russell facilitated Sainz’s ascent.
While Leclerc’s medium tyres began to degrade, dropping him to third, his switch to hard tyres was strategic gold. As McLaren opted for a two-stop strategy, Leclerc’s consistent pace on a single stop helped him seize the lead.
Challenges for Other Teams
It was a difficult race for some, including Haas. Nico Hulkenberg was penalised 10 seconds for an incident that took Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda out of the race. His teammate, Kevin Magnussen, faced a brake lock-up while challenging Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, resulting in a one-race ban.
In contrast, rookie Franco Colapinto made a respectable debut for Williams, finishing 12th, replacing Logan Sargeant for the remainder of the season.
Championship Standings Update
Following the race, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing continues to lead the 2024 Drivers’ Championship with 303 points. Lando Norris is second with 241 points, followed by Charles Leclerc at 217 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull holds the lead with 446 points, narrowly ahead of McLaren’s 438 points, with Ferrari close behind at 407 points.
Upcoming Race
Next on the calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, set for September 15th.
Complete 2024 Italian Grand Prix Results
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren +2.664 seconds
- Lando Norris, McLaren +6.153 seconds
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +15.621 seconds
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +22.820 seconds
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +37.932 seconds
- George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +39.715 seconds
- Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing +54.148 seconds
- Alexander Albon, Williams +67.456 seconds
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas +68.302 seconds
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +68.495 seconds
- Franco Colapinto, Williams +81.308 seconds
- Daniel Ricciardo, RB +93.452 seconds
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1 lap
- Pierre Gasly, Alpine +1 lap
- Valtteri Bottas, Sauber +1 lap
- Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +1 lap
- Zhou Guanyu, Sauber +1 lap
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +1 lap
NC. Yuki Tsunoda, RB – DNF
For more insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
