The Italian press is known for criticizing the failures of Ferrari and its drivers extremely harshly, essentially running out of words. But if the Scuderia deserves praise, then in this case the scolding will be the most enthusiastic – so it is quite logical that newspapers in Italy, talking about Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco, ran very loud headlines on the front pages on Monday.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
The front page of the country’s most popular sports publication, Gazzetta dello Sport, is adorned with a photo of a jubilant Leclerc expressing in large font a headline consisting of just one word: “Phenomenon.”
The publication gives Charles 10 points out of ten and thanks him for a “beautiful, if somewhat monotonous, race”, more like a Ferrari parade.
“Leclerc fulfilled his childhood dream: he won a Formula 1 race in the streets of the city where he was born and raised. It’s all the more important that he did it while driving a Ferrari. The Scuderia’s previous success at Monte Carlo was in 2017 with Sebastian Vettel, but the last time a Ferrari driver won from pole at this circuit was in 1979, with Jody Scheckter. This fact allows us to get a better idea of the magnitude of yesterday’s achievement…
It is quite logical that before the start, Charles remembered how he had already won the qualification twice in Monaco, but due to various difficulties could not only not win, but even get on the podium. That’s why he expressed joyful feelings after the finish when he stepped out of the cockpit of his car and threw himself into the arms of the Ferrari mechanics. Company Chairman John Elkann celebrated the victory with the entire team.”
Corriere dello Sport
This newspaper writes about “crazy success in fiery red colors.”
“This is the Monegasque’s first success on his home circuit, where he has already started twice from pole position, but was unable to take the race to victory. A crazy day for the Maranello team to finally win in Monaco, let’s hope this is a turning point for the whole season.”
Corriere della Sera
The Milanese publication also gives Leclerc a “ten” for his performance in Monaco: “Monte Carlo has finally become Monte Charles. Leclerc wrote his name in the history of the principality where he was born and lives. He is the first Monegasque to win on this circuit. On Saturday he won pole position, on Sunday he led from start to finish, building the race the way he needed to, making no mistakes and closing the gap to Verstappen in the championship to 31 points.
Perhaps it is better to refrain from having too high expectations for the time being, but I want to enjoy this moment to the fullest… The significance of this historic event seems to be emphasized by the number 10 – this is Ferrari’s tenth victory in Monaco . And the first was won in 1955 by Maurice Trintignant…
However, in our opinion it is still too early to say that the SF-24, despite all the new features, also deserves a rating of 10 points. The features of the Monte Carlo circuit are unique, so it is better not to jump to conclusions.”
La Stampa
La Stampa, one of Italy’s oldest newspapers published in Turin, draws particular attention to the way Ferrari celebrated its success: “Leclerc could not contain his joy at the victory in Monte Carlo and the team organized a large-scale celebration of this historical result. Charles pushed Frederic Vasseur, the head of the Scuderia, into the water and then dove after him. And all this was accompanied by laughter and applause from the entire team.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
