Italian Grand Prix F1 Preview – Sunday, September 8th, 2019
Coming back after the summer break, there was always an indication that Ferrari would be more in the frame. That is because the tracks at the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix are more suited to the Ferrari’s and their straight-line speed. It was indeed, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who landed his maiden career win last weekend at Spa. Will Ferrari have another good weekend, this time on home soil?
Italian Grand Prix 2019 Winner Odds*
Charles Leclerc 11/8
Lewis Hamilton 7/4
Sebastian Vettel 11/4
Valtteri Bottas 10/1
Max Verstappen 25/1
Alexander Albon 66/1
1000/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm)
Table of Contents
Can Charles Leclerc make it back to back wins?
It was a big moment for Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc at Spa last weekend. He got his first-ever F1 win. But the occasion was naturally muted because of the shock death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert over the weekend at the track. Under the circumstances, Leclerc held his composure together well and showed a fair degree of toughness to put in the drive that he did. Also during the race, his teammate Sebastian Vettel was told by the team to give Leclerc the lead.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton had Leclerc under pressure right to the finish line, the British driver finishing less than a second behind. But now that breakthrough has been made and the Ferrari’s get on to home soil advantage at Monza, can Leclerc make it two wins in two? He is the 11/8 outright favourite for the 2019 Italian Grand Prix* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm)
Can Hamilton get back to the top of the podium?
Hamilton is a five-time winner at Monza. He needs just one more victory at the Italian Grand Prix to become the all-time leader there. So he has the form and he is also looking for a straight hat trick of wins there. Even though Hamilton couldn’t win under his belt last weekend at Spa he did still manage to increase his lead at the top of the Drivers Championship to 65 points.
It’s going to be tough for Hamilton to get to the front row, he didn’t last year but still landed the own. He’s 7/4 odds to make it three in a row at Monza* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm)
Can Sebastian Vettel dictate from the front?
It’s reasonable to assume that unless Vettel can get on pole and get away to a clean start to put some early air between himself and the rest of the field, he will be playing second fiddle to Leclerc. The German was fourth last weekend but picked up the fastest lap. Vettel is the only driver in the top five in the Drivers’ Championship without a win under his belt this season.
It has been, overall, another frustrating season from him. He was on pole last season at Monza, his career third at the track. He should be able to express himself at the track because of the Ferrari’s speed, and Vettel is 11/4 to take the victory* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm).
Can Verstappen reach the podium from the back of the grid?
After being promoted to Red Bull, Alexander Albon took fifth place in the Belgian Grand Prix in what was his first race for the team. That was a great drive by the Thai driver and he is likely to be top dog for the team this week in Italy. That is because his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen will be starting from the back of the grid at the Italian Grand Prix.
Verstappen is changing the engine. That’s too many changes this season, so is being penalised. Staring from the back won’t bother Verstappen who is such a bold, adventurous driver and he is at 7/2 to carve up the field and reach the podium* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm). Realistically a top four is going to be hard to pull off, but you never know.
Predictions
Hamilton loves the setting at the Italian Grand Prix where has pulled off some magic time and time again. He was all over Leclerc at the end of the Belgian Grand Prix and just couldn’t find a way through. As expected last weekend, Ferrari locked out the front row of the grid and that should be the way this weekend. Because of that, it has to be Leclerc who gets the nod to take the victory.
