2021 Italian GP Race Discussions

After Super Max thumping loudly in the Zandvoort stands we arrive at Monza for the 2021 Italian GP! Monza featured the 2nd Sprint Race of the Season. While Mercedes were considered the favorites on this track, the race results proved otherwise. We got the surprise McLaren 1-2 with Ricciardo winning and Lando claiming P2. With both max and lewis out of the race there was no one to keep the Papaya boys in check. Bottas in the meanwhile was cutting through the field and went on to claim P3.

In this episode we discuss:

1. The (not so) main event (Max vs Lewis) 

2. Papaya Boys in the house! 🟠

3. The Aston Martin – Alpine sandwich 🥪

4. Bottas on the run to P3 

5. Disrespectful DC

6. Williams get the ball rolling

7. Gio shoots his own foot!

8. Special shout out to Toto! 😷

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Music:

Intro: Howling (Sting) - Gunnar Olsen

Outro: Your Intro by Audionautix 

**The 2021 Italian Grand Prix: A Thrilling Race at Monza**

* **McLaren's 1-2 Finish:**

* Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris secured a stunning 1-2 finish for McLaren at Monza.
* Ricciardo took the lead on the opening lap and held off challenges from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
* Norris drove a mature race to support Ricciardo and claim second place.
* The result marked McLaren's first 1-2 finish since 2010.

* **Hamilton and Verstappen's Collision:**

* Hamilton and Verstappen collided on the opening lap, resulting in both drivers retiring from the race.
* The incident sparked controversy, with fans and pundits debating who was at fault.
* The stewards ultimately penalized Verstappen with a three-place grid penalty for the next race.

* **Bottas' Impressive Recovery Drive:**

* Valtteri Bottas recovered from a poor qualifying position to finish third for Mercedes.
* Bottas made several impressive overtakes, including a pass on Sergio Perez for third place.
* His performance was a reminder of his talent and potential.

* **Aston Martin and Alpine's Midfield Battle:**

* Aston Martin and Alpine were involved in a close battle for midfield supremacy.
* Lance Stroll led the charge for Aston Martin, finishing seventh, while Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon battled for positions behind him.
* The two teams are locked in a tight battle for fifth place in the constructors' championship.

* **Williams' Points Finish:**

* Williams continued their recent resurgence with both George Russell and Nicholas Latifi finishing in the points.
* Russell finished ninth, while Latifi took the final point in tenth place.
* The result marked Williams' first double points finish since the 2019 German Grand Prix.

* **Giovinazzi's Costly Mistake:**

* Antonio Giovinazzi's race ended in disappointment after he crashed out while battling Carlos Sainz Jr. for position.
* Giovinazzi had been running in the points before the incident.
* The crash raised questions about his future at Alfa Romeo.

* **Toto Wolff's Absence:**

* Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was absent from the race due to illness.
* Wolff had tested positive for COVID-19 in the lead-up to the race.
* His absence was a blow to Mercedes, who have been struggling for form in recent races. **2021 Italian Grand Prix: McLaren's Triumph and Controversies**

**The (not so) Main Event: Max vs. Lewis**

The highly anticipated duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix turned out to be a non-event, as both drivers were forced to retire from the race. Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap after a collision with Hamilton, while Hamilton suffered a power unit issue later in the race.

**Papaya Boys in the House!**

In the absence of the top two contenders, McLaren seized the opportunity to secure a stunning 1-2 finish, with Daniel Ricciardo taking the victory and Lando Norris finishing in second place. This marked McLaren's first win since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

**The Aston Martin – Alpine Sandwich**

The race also saw a dramatic incident involving Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Esteban Ocon. Alonso attempted to overtake Stroll on the inside, but Stroll closed the door, resulting in a collision. Ocon, who was following closely behind, was caught up in the incident, causing all three drivers to retire from the race.

**Bottas on the Run to P3**

Valtteri Bottas, starting from 20th place due to a grid penalty, put on a remarkable performance to climb through the field and finish in third place. Bottas's recovery drive was one of the highlights of the race.

**Disrespectful DC**

David Coulthard's post-race interview with Bottas drew criticism for its focus on Hamilton's crash rather than Bottas's impressive performance. Many felt that Coulthard's questions were disrespectful and took away from Bottas's moment.

**Williams Get the Ball Rolling**

George Russell scored points for Williams for the second consecutive race, finishing in ninth place. This marked the first time since 2019 that Williams had scored points in back-to-back races.

**Gio Shoots His Own Foot!**

Antonio Giovinazzi's race ended in disappointment after he collided with Nicholas Latifi, causing damage to his front wing. Giovinazzi was forced to pit for repairs, dropping him down the order and ultimately finishing in 14th place.

**Special Shout Out to Toto!**

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, was criticized for his improper wearing of a face mask during the race. Wolff's mask was seen covering only his chin, not his nose and mouth, which is the proper way to wear a mask.

**Overall Message**

The 2021 Italian Grand Prix was a race of surprises, with McLaren taking the top two spots on the podium and Bottas delivering a strong performance. However, the race was also marred by controversies, including Coulthard's disrespectful interview with Bottas and Wolff's improper wearing of a face mask.