Max Verstappen Set to Debunk Formula 1 Myth with Italian Grand Prix Success at Monza
If there's someone capable of achieving it, it's Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen remains resolute on a unique mission this F1 season, consistently outpacing competitors with every lap completed. As we revisit Monza for the first time this year during the Italian Grand Prix 2023, the enigmatic 'Monza Curse' is a looming concern that could potentially hinder Red Bull's quest for dominance.
Each instance of Max Verstappen taking to the track this year seems to etch history, and the adept Dutch driver showcased his prowess on his home turf at the Zandvoort circuit, excelling in damp and blustery conditions to secure his ninth consecutive race victory of the season.
While the race was marked by the unfolding narrative at Red Bull's affiliated team, AlphaTauri, Verstappen persistently pursued his third consecutive Formula 1 championship. His lead at the forefront quietly stretched to 138 points.
By now, it's hardly astonishing that Red Bull has harnessed Verstappen's remarkable speed to usher in a new era of on-track supremacy. With each circuit he navigates, the 25-year-old's commanding lead over his pursuers is expected and almost taken for granted.
At this point, it appears that the only potential obstacle in his path is an unexpected stroke of misfortune.
The Enigma of the Monza Curse
Approaching Monza for the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen seems to possess an invincible aura, and the prevailing anticipation is that the two-time champion will uphold his impeccable performance this season with minimal opposition.
However, there exists a potential hazard that Verstappen could become ensnared by the so-called 'Monza Curse'—a hypothesis propagated by fans—suggesting that every victor of the Italian Grand Prix is plagued by misfortune in the subsequent year. But does this notion hold true?
The Genesis: Italian Grand Prix 2019
The genesis of this phenomenon traces back to 2019 when Charles Leclerc triumphed at the iconic Monza race, becoming the first Ferrari driver in nearly a decade to hoist the prestigious trophy.
This legendary racing team has become inextricably linked with the renowned circuit, with every aspiring Ferrari driver aspiring to clinch victory on home soil, amid the fervor of the world's most ardent racing aficionados.
The fortunes were favoring Ferrari that year, leading the rest of the field after Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc's victory elevated the young Monégasque driver to fourth place in the Drivers' Standings.
Italian Grand Prix 2020
The subsequent year brought catastrophe for Leclerc, the reigning champion of the Italian Grand Prix. He encountered a severe crash on lap 23 during the restart after the safety car had exited the track.
Leclerc's Ferrari veered off at the Parabolica corner, colliding with the barriers. This collision not only inflicted damage on the car but also on the driver himself, leaving him unable to continue in the race.
In a noteworthy turn, Pierre Gasly secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory at the Italian Grand Prix, narrowly surpassing Carlos Sainz, who was then racing for McLaren, with a mere 0.415-second difference. This victory marked the initial triumph for the newly-renamed AlphaTauri team since 2008 when the team was known as Toro Rosso.
Italian Grand Prix 2021
Shifting to 2021, the Italian Grand Prix introduced the controversial F1 Sprint format. Regrettably for Gasly, the 'Monza Curse' targeted its subsequent victim.
Gasly endured a crash at Curva Grande, resulting from contact with Daniel Ricciardo. Losing control of his AlphaTauri, Gasly lost his front wing as he veered off the track and collided with the wall.
The impact meant that Gasly was consigned to starting from the back of the grid. However, an unplanned gearbox and full power unit replacement by AlphaTauri relegated Gasly to the pit lane.
In a surprising twist, Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren managed to overtake Max Verstappen at the beginning of the race and successfully held off the Red Bull driver, securing his first Formula 1 victory since 2018. His teammate Lando Norris achieved P2, leading to a memorable McLaren 1-2 finish.
Italian Grand Prix 2022
Approaching the Italian Grand Prix 2022, the reigning world champion Max Verstappen held a substantial 109-point lead over Charles Leclerc, who occupied second place. Red Bull also led the Constructors' Championship ahead of Ferrari and the struggling Mercedes.
Despite starting the race in P8, Daniel Ricciardo was compelled to retire due to an oil leak, triggering the deployment of the safety car.
The 2022 Grand Prix faced criticism as the FIA chose to keep the safety car out until the race's conclusion, and they were unable to clear Ricciardo's McLaren in time. Verstappen secured his inaugural victory at Monza, crossing the finish line behind the safety car.
Italian Grand Prix 2023
As the Formula 1 season progresses into the 88th edition of the Italian Grand Prix at this iconic circuit, whispers of the infamous 'Monza Curse' will subtly circulate through the paddock during the upcoming weekend.
Competing fans will exchange murmurs with a sly smile, hoping for any stumble from the dominant Red Bull team and its drivers as they strive to extend their lead.
However, if there's any driver on the grid who will dismiss this notion, it's the relentless champion of Red Bull, Max Verstappen. He will take to the track this weekend with the determination to demonstrate that the 'Monza Curse' is nothing more than a concoction of Formula 1 folklore.
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