The French have been waiting for it for 24 years… Pierre Gasly gave France its first victory in Formula 1 since 1996, Sunday September 6, by winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The French won after a race marked by an interruption and a totally improbable podium ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr. (McLaren) and Canadian Lance Stroll (Racing Point).

"It's incredible. I'm not sure I'll realize it. It was a completely crazy race," said the Frenchman after his victory.

The Mercedes, who started out largely the favorites, finished 5th with Valtteri Bottas and 7th with Lewis Hamilton, the latter receiving a penalty for taking the pit lane when it was closed.

The race was interrupted after a spectacular accident, but not serious, of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

Gasly then took the lead after the second start after Hamilton stoppage to observe his penalty.

He resisted the comeback of Carlos Sainz Jr. who ended up in his wheels.

Monza is definitely successful at AlphaTauri, because this team had won its only victory on the Italian track in 2008 with Sebastian Vettel, when it was called Toro Rosso.

In the championship standings, Lewis Hamilton, six-time world champion and title holder, remains well ahead of Valtteri Bottas after 8 out of 17 events.

For Gasly, this victory tastes of revenge after being unceremoniously replaced last year by Alexander Albon within the Red Bull team, the "big sister" of AlphaTauri.

He had already succeeded after his return to the "secondary" team to finish 2nd in the Brazilian Grand Prix last year and has since established himself as one of F1's most reliable prospects.               

Hard blow for Ferrari

The results are particularly gloomy, on the other hand, for Ferrari who was racing in his "temple" at Monza.

Besides Leclerc's crash, Sebastian Vettel lost his brakes and sprayed polystyrene blocks placed in the middle of a chicane before returning to the pits and retire.

This result is particularly bad omen before the next Grand Prix of Tuscany which must be run on the Mugello circuit, which will be the 1000th of the Scuderia, not far from the stronghold of the Scuderia, Maranello.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who until Sunday was the only driver to secure a victory from the Mercedes this season, was forced to retire.

Pierre Gasly's victory was a surprise in a season so far largely dominated by Mercedes and which threatened to sink into boredom.

However, it comes under very specific racing circumstances and Lewis Hamilton, who left last after observing his penalty, was quick to win over his opponents one by one, showing that his car was clearly superior to the others.

Valtteri Bottas, who started in 2nd position alongside him on the starting line, for his part completely missed his take-off and carried out an anonymous race.

The Finn however took 2nd place in the championship thanks to his 5th place and the retirement of Max Verstappen who occupied him before the Monza race.

In favor of his victory, Pierre Gasly climbs to 8th place in the standings.

With AFP

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