Italian Grand Prix 2024 preview

Formula One returned last week, and we have our first double-header this side of the summer break with the Italian Grand Prix.

Fresh off the back of Zandvoort, there are multiple talking points as we head to Monza this week.

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Monza preview

Part of the original Formula One calendar, Autodromo Nazionale Monza is one of the most iconic tracks in the world and has always held the Italian Grand Prix. An extremely quick track, expect exhilarating racing this weekend.

What did we learn from Zandvoort?

Formula One’s first race back from summer break took place in the Netherlands at the Zandvoort Circuit, with Lando Norris of McLaren taking the victory. The Brit won the race by a commanding 22 seconds to Max Verstappen of Red Bull, demonstrating the speed of the McLaren currently. As a result, Lando Norris is now 9/4 to win the Drivers’ Championship this season as he trails Verstappen (1/3) by 70 points. Earlier in the season, it looked set to be a Verstappen and Red Bull procession once again, but the emergence of McLaren and their two drivers has been something to behold.

The conditions of last week’s race were all in Verstappen’s favour. An upgraded car with a new engine system, returning to his home track where he had been victorious for three consecutive years, if it was going to be his week, he couldn’t have asked for much more of a set-up. This makes the performance of Norris and McLaren more impressive, especially in the manner of victory.

Drivers and teams to look out for this week

As a result, Norris has been installed as the 11/10 favourite for this weekend and it is hard to see past him. The pace he showed in Holland was blistering and a repeat of that, with a clear run, would make him very difficult to overhaul. He looks a fair price to repeat his success from last weekend.

It’s now been five races without victory for Max Verstappen, the longest winless streak he’s had for several years. There is no doubting the Dutchman’s talent, but the pressure must be piling up. The Red Bull car just didn’t have the pace to live with the McLaren on Sunday, a worrying indicator for Red Bull whose lead in the Constructors’ Championship has been cut to just 30 points after improved finishes from Norris and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen can be relied upon to achieve finishes high up the order, but the team need Sergio Perez to start finishing higher or they will find themselves behind in the Constructors’.

Last of all, how can you preview an Italian Grand Prix without touching on Ferrari. Drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be buoyed by their finishing efforts at Zandvoort, following the upgrades made over the summer break. Those saw Leclerc secure a third-place finish, with Carlos Sainz finishing fifth after qualifying 11th, giving Ferrari fans and Italians alike reasons to be enthused by the chances of the Scuderia this weekend. It’s worth backing Leclerc (9/1) and Sainz (12/1) each-way in the ‘Race-Winner’ market which allows for a place payout if finishing in second or third. They may find winning a tall order, but they seem to have turned a corner after the recent upgrades and in front of a home crowd, they could go close this weekend.

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