Formula One is revving up for the next installment of an absorbing world championship battle as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton lock horns once again at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.
In a season where the Ferrari and Mercedes drivers have wrestled for track supremacy, it’s Vettel who arrives at Monza with a slender championship lead but it is Hamilton who has momentum after victory at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton hit the ground running after F1’s summer break putting on a driving masterclass at Spa. The 32-year-old equaled Michael Schumacher’s all-time F1 record of 68 poles during Saturday’s qualifying before bossing the race to seal his fifth victory of the year.
A repeat performance at Monza would hand Hamilton the initiative and inflict a psychological blow to Ferrari in front of their adoring Tifosi.
“In Italy it’s all about Ferrari and that puts massive pressure on them,” Maurice Hamilton, veteran F1 journalist and author of “Formula One: The Pursuit of Speed“ told CNN.
Historically there is little to choose between Vettel and Hamilton at Monza. Both men have won three times and scored five podiums apiece, although the Briton’s pole record is marginally better -- he has five to Vettel’s three.
Mercedes has also dominated the last three races in Italy while Ferrari hasn’t won since Fernando Alonso took the checkered flag back in 2010 -- the season Vettel pipped the Spaniard by four points to win his first of four consecutive world titles for Red Bull.
This year represents Ferrari’s best chance yet to end the drought, although it’s hard to look past Mercedes.
“I think Lewis could win this,” Hamilton said. “He’s on top form, the car’s working well, but he’s being pushed. All things being equal he should win it. But last weekend was so close -- so there’s nothing in it.”
-CNN
