07/09/2025 10:00
Charles Leclerc is hoping for a "special" Monza race to cause an
Italian GP surprise, like Daniel Ricciardo in 2021. The defending
Monza winner starts fourth for the Scuderia, where he did one year
ago when he made a one-stop strategy work to score a memorable
victory. This year, he starts behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen,
and McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Ferrari
third-best in terms of race pace. However, in recent years, the
Italian GP has thrown up odd races, such as Ricciardo's final F1
win in 2021 when he won after Verstappen landed on top of title
rival Lewis Hamilton in a memorable collision. When questioned
about his chances of a third Monza win, Leclerc appeared to rule it
out unless a "special" Monza race developed. "We are quite fast on
the straights, so it should be an exciting race," Leclerc told
media, including RacingNews365. "I think on pure pace, we don't
have a chance. Unfortunately, McLaren and the Red Bull of Max were
way too strong in terms of the race run. "But with the start, with
the top speed we have, we all believe in it, but it is going to be
tough [to win]." When then posed with Ricciardo's 2021 victory
after Verstappen and Hamilton collided and Pierre Gasly's shock
2020 win, Leclerc vowed to fight until the end. "Yeah, there are
some special races here," he said. "So I'll believe in it until the
end, and we will see what is possible, but on pure pace, I don't
think it is possible."
