He’d looked so cool, so in control and at home at the sharp end of grands prix in the opening trio of races. But here at Imola, of all places and in front of the braying tifosi, Charles Leclerc’s sheen of world-champion-in-the-making was tarnished by a rookie error.
No wonder he looked distraught at the end of a race that was dominated by his title rival Max Verstappen, as the reigning world champion claimed a perfect ‘grand slam’ – pole position, win and fastest lap. Add to that Saturday’s sprint race win that was made all the sweeter by his pass of Leclerc for the lead. And, just to rub it in the tifosi’s noses, Sergio Perez drove well to make it a Red Bull 1-2 as the team put its recent troubles behind it in the best way possible.
Leclerc’s blunder costs him third
World champions know they can’t win every race – and when they can’t win, they must settle for scoring as best they can. Leclerc knows this too, which is why he was so frustrated to lose control of his Ferrari so clumsily at the Variante Alta chicane on lap 54 of 63. Third would have been fine. In fact, it was the best he could have hoped for on a day and a circuit that simply played to Red Bull’s strengths. Why did he throw it away?
Leclerc had dropped from the front row to fourth at the start, climbed back to third, but then failed to undercut Perez at the pitstops, emerging ahead of ‘Checo’ but finding himself powerless to stop the Mexican quickly re-passing as he desperately tried to get some heat into his fresh slicks. The costly mistake came shortly afterwards in his desperation to challenge the Red Bull.
The stop for a new nose dropped him to ninth, and although Leclerc recovered to sixth by the end, he’d tossed away seven points – seven points he knows might prove crucial come the end of the season if his battle with Verstappen goes to the wire. Unforced errors are the bane of sportspeople’s lives. It happens because they are human. But for those competing at the pinnacle, where the margins are so fine, they are also unforgiveable. Leclerc just needs to learn from this one, put it behind him and move on.
Verstappen shows his class
It’s a long season, so it was always way too early for anyone to doubt Verstappen wouldn’t bounce back from his two retirements from three races. Now a combination of the world champion’s brilliance and Leclerc’s error allowed him to make up serious ground in his quest for a second consecutive title. From 45 points down, the sprint win, grand prix victory and fastest lap leave him just 27 in arrears with an awful lot of mileage left in the 2022 season.
Verstappen had lost out to Leclerc from Saturday’s start, but wasn’t about to allow a repeat on Sunday and was never threatened once he was safely into and through the Tamburello chicane. Christian Horner said this was one of Red Bull’s best days. With ‘Checo’ playing his support role to perfection, that was no exaggeration.
Norris and Russell shine
Leclerc’s error gifted Lando Norris a much-appreciated podium finish. Given how poor McLaren looked just a few weeks ago, the Briton’s assured drive and genuine pace represents an impressive turnaround. Fourth would have been a very decent result. Joining Verstappen and Perez in gaining a trophy was simply a bonus.
His old mate George Russell also shone at Imola, the only ray of light in a dismal weekend for beleaguered Mercedes-AMG. Russell started 11th, Lewis Hamilton just 14th as both Mercedes failed to make the Q3 cut – how times have changed. But the younger Briton made a great start and wrung every drop he could from his bouncing W13 that’s starting to give him a backache almost as bad as the headache that’s probably keeping his boss Toto Wolff awake at night. Strange as it is to face up to, there doesn’t appear to be a quick or easy way back for Mercedes right now.
Hamilton’s unlucky 13th
He made up one place, and in a race affected by rain, this wasn’t the seven-time world champion we all know. But in this car, on this circuit that’s never been the easiest to overtake on, Lewis Hamilton cut a frustrated figure after toiling behind Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri for most of the afternoon to finish an ignominious 13th. Gasly is an experienced hand and knew precisely where to place his car to thwart Hamilton’s advances, but still it was odd to see how blunted the Silver Arrow was. Like Leclerc, it’s one Hamilton will want to put behind him – and quickly.
Sainz out of luck – again
Carlos Sainz Jr is another with a haunted look right now. Yes, the Spaniard has a newly minted Ferrari deal that proves his decent work last year has been recognised. But he’s endured a disastrous start to 2022, this time knocked off by Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren at the Tamburello chicane at the start. Still, at least he’s not Ricciardo… there’s every reason to expect Sainz to shake off his poor run and soon bank the results he and his car are capable of. But is that the case for the Australian? You’ve got to wonder.
Bottas and his new lease of life
A year ago at Imola, Valtteri Bottas was knocked into a big crash by the man who has now replaced him. That’s why it was particularly sweet that the Finn, now beginning to breathe again following his switch from Mercedes to humble Alfa Romeo, found himself chasing down Russell for fourth. In a Mercedes, fifth place last year was a poor showing. In an Alfa this term, it’s a reason for joy, with the added sugar that he ended up being the first Italian car (well, Swiss car) home, ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari. Happy days, and unexpected too.
Double score for Aston Martin
Australia had been embarrassing for the green cars, especially as Alex Albon scored a point for Williams. But at Imola the only team still to get off the mark in 2022 put that awkward record behind it with an encouraging double score.
Sebastian Vettel finished eighth and Lance Stroll tenth, with Yuki Tsunoda banking a much-needed result head of them in seventh, and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas proving the American-flavoured meat in their Aston Martin sandwich in ninth.
On a day when Alpine failed to score, Fernando Alonso retiring with a big hole in his right sidepod courtesy of Mick Schumacher’s spinning Haas on lap one, Aston’s luck finally turned. Few predicted that, as F1 in 2022 continues to keep us guessing. How refreshing.
Images courtest of Motorsport Images.
Keyword: Seven talking points from the Emilia Romagna F1 GP