Italian Grand Prix – Seb and Charles: “To do well to thank the fans”

Incredible Milan.  This being Scuderia Ferrari’s home race, both its drivers were called to the FIA press conference, where one of the topics was the excellent event in Milan last night. Sebastian had clearly enjoyed it: “It was really great and the Piazza Duomo with its great gothic cathedral which overlooks the square is in itself an amazing place, but yesterday, to see it packed out with a sea of red was unforgettable. In fact, I’m not sure I’d want to go back there, because it could never look as good again!” said the German. Charles echoed his team-mate’s sentiments. “I knew that driving for Ferrari in the Italian Grand Prix would be something special, but what we saw in Milan was fabulous, with so many people… and it was just Wednesday.”

Goals.  The Maranello is always expected to deliver a great result in Monza and the drivers did not hold back with the journalists. “I am reasonably optimistic, based on what we saw in Spa-Francorchamps,” said the four times World Champion. “I think this track could suit our car well, but it’s always best to wait until we have been out on track in free practice before saying too much. Plus, the weather could be far from optimal and that could mix things up a bit. What I do know is that I’d like t win here to thank the fans for all the support they always give us. I won here with a Ferrari-powered car, but to make it to the top step of the podium after driving the SF90 would be fantastic.”

Charles.  On this topic too, Charles was in agreement with his team-mate. “The fact that I finally got that first Formula 1 win out of way has taken a weight off my shoulders and is a confidence boost,” said Charles. “We have shown that our car can be competitive on low downforce circuits and, if necessary, Seb and I can work as a team, helping one another on track as well as off it, when it comes to comparing different car configurations.”

Programme.  After three hours of free practice on Friday, the next part of the Italian GP is the final hour of practice at 12 on Saturday, prior to the grid-deciding qualifying session at 15. The 90^thItalian Grand Prix, the 70^thto count as a round of the Formula 1 World Championship, gets underway at 15.10 on Sunday.