For the fifth race in a row, Max Verstappen and Red Bull walked off victorious.
Unlike at his home race the weekend before, this time at Formula 1’s 2022 Italian Grand Prix the world champion did so with a chorus of boos rather than adoring cheers ringing out.
But both those developments don’t tell the full story of the Monza weekend in isolation – as Red Bull’s brilliance in defeating Ferrari yet again came against the backdrop of yet more late-race safety car controversy regarding the FIA. In this case, the governing body’s officials got their calls right, but this nevertheless revealed that the scars of the 2021 Abu Dhabi farce remain fresh and need additionally addressing for the good of the championship overall.
Elsewhere, another Dutch single-seater star firmly entered the F1 spotlight, George Russell continued his remarkable run of success for Mercedes, and Red Bull’s Porsche plans hit the skids for good.
These stories and plenty more are what we learned from the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.
1. Unstoppable Verstappen can win the 2022 title in Singapore
If Verstappen wins and Leclerc finishes lower than ninth, he can cement the 2022 title in Singapore
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Ahead of the Monza race, Verstappen was already on course to break F1’s single-season victory record. Now, he’s just two away from equalling the feat jointly shared by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, from 2004 and 2013 respectively. And there’s still six races left for him to push the benchmark to a new height.
The end result, as unpopular as it was for many in attendance last Sunday, means that Verstappen now heads to the next race in Singapore with his first chance to mathematically clinch the 2022 title.
PLUS: Why Verstappen would have beaten Leclerc without safety car help
That is still unlikely to happen, however, as it would require Leclerc to finish well down the points order (eighth) and have Sergio Perez finish off the podium – all while requiring Verstappen to win with the fastest lap to boot. But given Ferrari’s ability to strike misfortune seemingly at every turn this year, it cannot be automatically assumed the fight will go on one more week to Japan…
Monza was firm Red Bull hunting ground given its slippery and efficient aerodynamic package, allied with the potent Honda engine in the RB18. Singapore should suit Ferrari much better given its strength remains in corners with its higher-overall-downforce…
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