European Triple Header Race Rundown

Race 7: Emilia-Romagna (Imola); Race 8: Monaco; Race 9: Spain (Barcelona)

As I mentioned in my previous post about Jeddah and Spain, I have been procrastinating BIG TIME on writing these rundowns.  Even though I haven’t been writing these I have been in a creative flow related to Formula 1.  I have been doing digital illustrations of each driver and am trying to do all of the drivers before posting them on Instagram and uploading them here.  So if you are interested in seeing a collection of F1 Driver Digital Illustrations just hang in there, they will hopefully be done soon.  

Race 7: Emilia-Romagna (Imola).

Imola is a very historic race and this year was the last time at least for the next few years that F1 raced here.  

The race started with Verstappen overtaking Piastri at lights out and taking the lead.  Pierre Gasly then went into the gravel.  Lando overtook George Russell.

Did someone say they wanted a little drama? Ok, look no further than Fernando Alonso.  His wheel hubs burst into flames - FLAMES, literal FIRE.  

A VSC came out for laps 29 - 31 after Esteban Ocon DNF’ed on Lap 29.  Tough luck for Estie Bestie.  Another VSC came out for lap 47 - 50 (or 53, not totally sure TBH) after a DNF from Kimi Antonelli.  This kind of made me want to cry as Kimi is probably my favorite rookie.

Lando overtook Oscar for P2 and the ending podium was Max P1, Lando P2, and Oscar P3.

There was a point during Imola where I was feeling a bit dramatic obviously because I have this in my notes, “Mclaren strategists better sleep with one eye open bc I swear they keep sabotaging my boy Lando”.  Now looking back I have no idea why I noted this and what happened to make me think this.  This may have been slightly extreme but it is hilarious to me now.

Race 8: Monaco

“Monaco, baby!”  A comment famous in the F1 world as Jenson Button said it in 2009 when he won Monaco and more recently, Lando’s radio message after he won this year.

This race wasn’t exactly chaotic as there are almost no chances to overtake on this historic street circuit.  With this being said there were some exciting moments.  

Lando started on pole, Charles Leclerc started P2, and Oscar Piastri P3.  In qualifying Lando set a new track record.  

In lap 1 of the race Gabriel Bortoleto went into the barrier, from here came a VSC.

Later in the race Pierre Gasly crashed into the back of Yuki Tsunosa, this resulted in a DNF for Pierre Gasly.  Then came the DNF from Fernando Alonso.

The podium was exactly the same as the starting places.  Lando won (P1), Charles in P2, and Oscar Piastri in P3.  

To win in Monaco is something most drivers hope to achieve. It is an amazing accomplishment for Lando, especially the fact that he set a new track record in quali.

Race 9: Spain (Barcelona)

This race had a chaotic start.  Verstappen overtook Norris and Hamilton and Leclerc overtook Russell.  A double Ferrari overtake.  Then what happened?  LANDO OVERTOOK VERSTAPPEN.  

Alex Albon got a 10 second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.  He eventually DNF’ed. 

A sad, sad moment was when Lewis Hamilton had a 4.9 second pit stop.  

Kimi Antonelli also DNF’ed, this makes me want to cry every time it happens and there was a safety car.  Charles Leclerc overtook Verstappen after the safety car.

This race gave us an iconic radio message from Max Verstappen, where he declared that his car isn’t like a 1973 Redbull, but a 1974.  

Max got a 10 second penalty for causing a collision.  

The podium ended with Oscar in P1, Lando P2, and Charles P3.  The surprising twist in this last race of the triple header was Nico Hulkenberg ending in P5.

This triple header really demonstrated the Mclaren dominance this season.  With a double papaya podium every race, it is hard to deny their amazing car.  

The Montreal GP and Austria GP both came with their own set of emotions, some AMAZING and some absolutely devastating.    

LN4 Blob Inspired Doodle