Leclerc overtakes Vettel: The maturity certificate from Monza

SEBASTIAN VETTEL: Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari - for a long time it was a promising and functioning marriage that had its highs and survived many a crisis. Monza 2019, however, could be one disappointment too many, which has permanently damaged the four-time world champion's relationship with the glorious Scuderia. In the home race of all places, Vettel's nerves failed - once again.

Threatening to become number two at Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel. © ANSA / Daniel Dal Zennaro

Not only did he throw away his own race with the self-inflicted spin, he also risked the success of Charles Leclerc, who, unlike in Spa, he was unable to help. How much credit does Vettel still have? Team boss Mattia Binotto defended the German from the outside. Nevertheless, Leclerc may have overtaken him internally. Monza was a changing of the guard. Vettel's contract with the Reds runs until 2020. At the moment he doesn't give the impression that he wants to fulfill it.

CHARLES LECLERC: Unlike Vettel, Leclerc withstood the pressure. It's amazing how cool and ripped off a 21-year-old acts on the track in his first year at Ferrari. He was under constant fire from the Silver Arrows, parrying the constant attacks of world champion Lewis Hamilton and later also those of Valtteri Bottas. Leclerc threw out his elbows, fought hard on the edge of legality, but was able to rely on the stewards' leniency. Monza, Leclerc said afterwards, was his first Formula 1 race in which he only thought about victory. This may be why he acted too hesitantly during the qualifying antics. It would have been entirely possible to give Vettel a slipstream and a fast lap in Q3. In the end, Leclerc, who always extolled team spirit in Italy, didn't do any harm. <a data-caption="Ungewohntes Bild: Die Mercedes-Piloten Valtteri Bottas (links) und Lewis Hamilton (rechts) flankieren den siegreichen Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC" data-fancybox="inline-56376" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2019/09/ungewohntes-bild-die-mercedes-piloten-valtteri-bottas-links-und-lewis-hamilton-rechts-flankieren-den-siegreichen-charles-leclerc-ferrari.jpg"> Unusual picture: Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) flank the victorious Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

LEWIS HAMILTON: The Briton did his utmost to prevent Leclerc's triumph and the Ferrari celebrations. Ultimately, the world champion had to bow to Leclerc's recalcitrance and deteriorating tires. However, he was still able to claim the weekend as a success. Hamilton is 63 points ahead of his teammate Bottas, who came second, in the World Cup standings. There are still seven races to go and plenty of points to be awarded. The sixth World Cup title is getting closer.

NICO HÜLKENBERG AND RENAULT: It's not like Nico Hülkenberg has to worry about his professional future. But anyone who says they are in talks about a contract with a new Formula 1 team is strengthening their position with performances like those in Monza. “Hülk” achieved his best result of the season so far in fifth place. The only downside: losing the duel with his Renault teammate Daniel Ricciardo. It has become even more likely that both will compete against each other next year. The Haas team fluctuates between Hülkenberg and regular driver Romain Grosjean when it comes to filling one of its cockpits. He finished 16th in Monza. The pendulum is likely to swing in the German’s direction.

MAX STAGES: Yes, Max Verstappen also took part in the race, but this time in an unusual supporting role. A penalty put the Red Bull star in 19th place on the grid, but an early change to the front wing threw him back again. And yet the Dutchman made it back into the points in eighth place. When Formula 1 stops in Singapore in two weeks, more can be expected from Verstappen.

SAYING OF THE WEEKEND: “I don’t really care what that means for the situation in the team.” (Sebastian Vettel on the changing of the guard at Ferrari)

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Leclerc overtakes Vettel: The maturity certificate from Monza

An internal change of power is imminent at Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel's era seems to be inexorably coming to an end. His successor is ready. What else happened at Monza?

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