It’s been since 2010 and the victory of Fernando Alonso that a Ferrari has won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Charles Leclerc (photo) did it brilliantly last Sunday from pole, while resisting a tremendous pressure from Lewis Hamilton first, and later from Valtteri Bottas.
The young (21) driver from Monaco had already conquered the hearts of the Italian supporters (the tifosi) and the oh so important Italian press.
His performance since the beginning of the season being excellent despite 2-3 mistakes that are acceptable at this stage of his career. His speed, his character and his honesty being valued by everyone.
But now, with two back to back fantastic victories at Spa and Monza within a week time, he became at a very young age legendary in the eyes of the Ferrari supporters.
It’s been a while since we have seen so many people invading the main straight, from the Parabolica to the chicane and even further to chant, to scream, to applaud a champion.
These two victories are only the beginning of the story, and the Italians know it, Charles is meant to stay in red for many many more seasons, and is going to give them so much thrill, so much satisfaction and pride.
And what a domination. It’s unbelievable to see how easily he already beats his 4-times World Champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
This boy is special, no doubt, and he is a gift for all the Ferrari fans in the world who were waiting to ‘fall in love’ with a driver, like they did end of 1977 when they discovered the immense talent and the candid character of Gilles Villeneuve.
Charles Leclerc is very fast, like Gilles was, but without the craziness and the exuberance the Canadian showed at the wheel of a Ferrari.
He is smart and honest about his own performance and when he makes a mistake he admits it, like Niki Lauda or Alain Prost did.
He can be ruthless on the track, but always correct, never being dangerous, like Fernando Alonso was.
So Charles Leclerc has got it all, he’s a gift for the Ferrari fans, that’s certain, but he’s a gift for all of us who love motor racing in general and Formula One in particular.
And the story is only beginning.
