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While Monza’s Ferrari-mad tifosi remain as passionate as ever, the Italian Grand Prix organisers also paid fitting tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Thursday
Despite a ferocious storm overnight, with golf ball-sized hail battering down on the roof of the cars outside my hotel, I felt surprisingly well-rested ahead of press day. Having opted to stay by the lake in Como, I made the pleasant 40-minute journey into the track alongside a colleague who was staying at the same hotel.
Ferrari fans were already lining up outside of the circuit, but nowhere near the crowds we have seen at other tracks. Had the championship battle been closer – Charles Leclerc was already over 100 points behind Max Verstappen – perhaps more might have made their way down earlier.
Verstappen was my first port of call in the blistering Italian afternoon sunshine. Foolishly believing the weather forecast of rain, I melted in the heat in a long-sleeve dress awaiting the world champion.
Opening the barrier to allow his press officer Gemma Lusty first entrance to the media area, Verstappen followed quickly behind and stood directly in front of me, immediately being surrounded by phones and voice recorders. Sometimes there is a brief moment at the start of media roundtables where everyone waits for another journalist to ask a question, and a strange silence descends. Never one to miss an opportunity I opened the interview to a smiling Verstappen and soon the questions started flowing.
The main FIA press conference followed, with Pierre Gasly notably missing as he was unwell. Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton arrived early for their session, which is particularly unusual for the seven-times world champion who often likes to be the last driver to sit down. Tying his hair back whilst chewing the fat with Ricciardo, they finally took their seats.
While this was going on I noticed a breaking news alert on my phone. Reports Queen Elizabeth II was unwell had surfaced earlier, but this notification that the Royal family had been summoned to her side indicated something more serious was likely developing.
After a quick pit stop at Mercedes to speak to George Russell, I was caught up on the contingency plans unfold in the paddock around the anticipated news.
Lando Norris was my final interviewee of the day, who seemed to have three fake tattoos on his body. I took a quick snap of the Daniel Ricciardo one on his hand and a badger on his neck…
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