Monza was WILD 😳 Gabi Bortoletto, Ollie Bearman and Alex Albon KILLED it!

Welcome back to the Pitstop Podcast! Once again we are recording this episode VIRTUALLY as Fab is still on holiday in Portugal, and Jake is still losing his marbles back at home in London on his own! Pitstop does not stop however and we have so much to talk about this week because the Monza GP was another race filled with chaos and excitement, from F3, through F2 and all the way to F1! Even though we weren't there in person, we can feel the energy of the Tifosi, so strap in and get ready for another epic Pitstop Podcast!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

**Race Recap:**

* Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured his 10th consecutive race win, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record of nine consecutive wins.
* Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished second and third, respectively, at their home race in Monza.
* McLaren's Lando Norris finished eighth, while Oscar Piastri finished 12th after a collision with Lewis Hamilton.
* In Formula 3, Gabriele Bortoletto won the championship, and Olli Caldwell won the Formula 2 race.

**Key Highlights:**

* Verstappen's dominance continued as he led from start to finish, extending his championship lead to 116 points.
* Ferrari showed strong pace at Monza, with Sainz and Leclerc battling for the lead early in the race.
* Mercedes struggled to keep up with the top teams, with Hamilton and George Russell finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.
* McLaren and Aston Martin had disappointing races, with both teams failing to score points.
* Liam Lawson, a young New Zealand driver, impressed in his second Formula 1 race, finishing 11th for AlphaTauri.

**Controversies and Insights:**

* Some fans booed Verstappen during the drivers' parade, leading to speculation that F1 TV directors muted the audio.
* Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, indicated that Daniel Ricciardo may not return to the team for the next race in Singapore.
* There is speculation that Guanyu Zhou may leave Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, with Theo Pourchaire, a Sauber Academy driver, as a potential replacement.

**Overall Takeaway:**

Verstappen's continued dominance and Ferrari's strong performance at Monza were the main storylines from the Italian Grand Prix. The midfield battle remains tight, with McLaren and Aston Martin struggling to keep up with the top teams. The emergence of young drivers like Liam Lawson and Theo Pourchaire adds excitement to the sport and keeps the championship battle interesting. **Summary of the Pit Stop Podcast Episode: Monza Grand Prix Review and F2 Driver Prospects**

The hosts of the Pit Stop Podcast, Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca, delve into various topics related to Formula One racing, including the recently concluded Monza Grand Prix and the potential career paths of Formula 2 (F2) drivers.

**Key Points:**

1. **Monza Grand Prix Review:**
- The hosts discuss the exciting race at Monza, highlighting the impressive performances of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
- They express admiration for Verstappen's aggressive driving style and his ability to secure victories even in challenging situations.

2. **F2 Driver Prospects:**
- The hosts raise concerns about the limited opportunities for F2 drivers to progress to Formula One.
- They emphasize the need for a clear pathway for talented F2 drivers to enter F1, as many face difficulties securing seats despite their achievements.
- The discussion centers around several F2 drivers, including Theo Pourchaire, Felipe Drugovich, and Logan Sargeant, who are considered potential candidates for F1 seats.

3. **Off-Season Discussion:**
- With the European leg of the F1 season concluded, the hosts look ahead to the remaining fly-out races and express excitement for the upcoming Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix.
- They anticipate a thrilling 2023 season, given the minimal changes expected in car designs.

4. **Personal Anecdotes:**
- Fabio shares his experience visiting Portugal, where he discovers the proximity of Fernando Alonso's car track in Portimao.
- Jake humorously recounts a fictional scenario where he pretends to be a skilled pilot during a turbulent landing.

5. **Episode Wrap-Up:**
- The hosts conclude the episode by expressing their gratitude to the listeners and remind them to rate and follow the podcast.
- They announce that the next episode will be released on Wednesday due to the absence of a race this weekend.

**Overall Message:**
The episode provides insights into the challenges faced by F2 drivers in securing Formula One seats and highlights the excitement surrounding the upcoming fly-out races and the 2023 season. The hosts engage in lighthearted banter and share personal anecdotes, creating an entertaining and informative podcast experience.