Leo Turini at the end of the Italian Grand Prix

Italian journalist Leo Turini is convinced that the end of yesterday’s Grand Prix in Monza would have been different had the race management decided to stop it with red flags, and after the evacuation of Daniel Riccardo’s car to restart – when everyone who gathered in the stands would see a bright fight in the final circles. Even if it didn’t affect the results in any way.

Last year in Abu Dhabi, Michael Masi had to stop the race with red flags. He didn’t, and it was a mistake – I wrote about it right then.

Masi was right about one thing, though: he didn’t let the most interesting championship of the past twenty years finish behind the safety car.

“It’s called car racing,” he replied to critics at the time.

At Monza, his successors forgot everything. Although, once it became clear that it was impossible to evacuate Riccardo’s car quickly, it would be enough to show a red flag.

But the Grand Prix, held in the year of the track’s 100th anniversary at Monza, ended at a snail’s pace, and this was wrong in the first place in relation to all the fans filling the circuit’s grandstands. And also in relation to anyone who has an idea of ​​what normal motorsport should be like.

Although I don’t think the results of the race would have been different even if the scenario I’m talking about had been implemented. Admittedly, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car was faster than Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.

By the way, all disputes about whether it was necessary to invite the Monegask to the pit stop so early or not, just out of misunderstanding. Charles would have lost anyway.

There is no doubt that the championship will have another worthy winner this year, and all those who have booed Verstappen at Monza have only shown their own ignorance.

But after this Sunday, Formula 1 management must conclude that they have a duty – and I insist it is their duty – to show respect for people who love motorsport. Not at the expense of safety, of course.