“It’s an incredibly exciting season, the last two races have been extremely strong for us – we have gone from strength to strength.” (Hamilton)
 
ferrari f1 car at the monza gp
 

Italian GP Race Results 2017:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
6. Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7. Lance Stroll (Williams)
8. Felipe Massa (Williams)
9. Sergio Perez (Force India)
10. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
More on the F1 teams of 2017
 

Lewis and Vettel continue to battle it out

 
Embroiled in a tightly fought battle with Lewis Hamilton; Sebastian Vettel has not slipped from the top spot in the championship thus far this season (there was a brief joint-first between himself and Hamilton following the second race). Until now.
 
Today, Hamilton finally took the lead in the Formula One World Championship – with 7 races remaining. And he did it in style.
 
It has been a record-breaking 8 days for Hamilton. Last week he equalled the pole record set at 68 by Michael Schumacher, today he broke it – helping to cement himself as the fastest driver of his era. His performance in qualifying at Monza this weekend, in wet and difficult conditions was astonishing. On Saturday, Hamilton was more than a second clear of everyone else.
 
There are very few tracks on the current Formula One calendar that still elude him – he has only failed to take pole at Magny Cours (France), Istanbul Park (Turkey) and Buddh International Circuit (India).
 
Even ex-team mate and fierce rival Nico Rosberg took to Twitter to congratulate him, “Congratulations to Lewis for breaking the pole record. Incredibly impressive and well-deserved.”
 
Lance Stroll briefly challenged Hamilton onto the run to the first corner – but then the race belonged to the Mercedes driver.
 
Hamilton is the first driver to achieve back-to-back wins this season; since the summer break, he has driven with a new sense of purpose,
 
“Silverstone was a real empowering weekend and that has kind of sparked a forest fire in me.”
 
Even being booed on the podium could not dampen his spirits. He remained philosophical, describing it as ‘inevitable’ since between them Mercedes had prevented a Ferrari win for the Tifosi today as they took the one-two.
 
“This energy is like nowhere else we every really get to see, apart from Silverstone, so I respect it, I appreciate it.”
 
Even Mercedes were surprised at the extent of their superiority over Ferrari this weekend.
 
Though Hamilton is deliberately playing down the shift in power, as he knows that the next race in Singapore could swing back in Ferrari’s favour. Their car favouring the slower track – based on the one-twos in Monaco and Hungary this year. They also seem to fare better in the heat.
 
“We are going to another track where the Ferrari’s are generally quick with the extra downforce they are able to add on.”
 
Behind for the first time this season, Vettel remained positive, “Things are coming, we are developing our car and what’s coming makes me quite positive.” Indeed, there are only 3 points in it and this contest is so very close…
 
But Hamilton will be hoping for an upset at the Marina Bay Circuit on 17th September, and based on recent form you wouldn’t bet against it. The Brit will be looking to equal Vettel’s 4 World Championship wins this year, as Vettel sets his sights on edging closer to Schumacher’s record of 7 wins.

 
We can’t wait for Monza and the next chapter of this title battle! For more about the Grand Prix in Italy and the Hospitality Packages we offer then please go to our Monza GP page.