YOUR first win in Formula 1 is always a great moment, but Pierre Gasly’s victory on Sunday had extra levels of emotion.  One year ago he lost his good friend Antoine Hubert in a tragic accident in the Formula 2 race at Spa and was demoted from Red Bull Racing to the Toro Rosso ‘junior team’.  To win his first Grand Prix for that same team – now rebranded Alpha Tauri – and to do so in Italy, the team’s home country, is such a great story.

It was also a great race.  The kind of race we love to see in Formula 1, with drivers pushing flat out to the chequered flag.

I heard on Sunday that it has been 146 races since someone other than a Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari driver won a Grand Prix.  That was Kimi Raikkonen’s win for Lotus in Australia, way back in 2013.  

It was worth the wait, because we not only have a new race winner but a brilliant example of how strong the mid-field teams are whenever the guys at the front make mistakes.

The last time a French driver won a Formula 1 race – in Monaco in 1996 – I had not even won my first Grand Prix!  I remember that race very well because the wet conditions and poor visibility made it extremely difficult to control the car – only three cars were running at the finish, with Olivier Panis’ Ligier taking a famous win.  

Pierre’s success on Sunday came at the end of an equally dramatic race, except that this time there were 16 cars still running at the end, and that included both Mercedes.  Ultimately Pierre and his team simply did a better job than everyone else, and he really took the win.  

This was no gift.  He qualified 10th, the team made the right pit stop call which came just before the Safety Car, and when the race was restarted following Charles Leclerc’s accident Pierre pushed hard to overtake Lance Stroll and claim P2 behind Lewis.  With the World Championship leader having to stop to take a 10 second penalty, Pierre knew this was his race to win – and he really took hold of that opportunity. 

P1!! My first victory in F1!!
I’m lost for words, still struggling to realise, its just amazing!!
Everything was perfect, just missed the tifosis down under the podium. @alphatauri we have done it!! Thanks everyone for all the messages & support!! Today is a day I’ll remember. pic.twitter.com/3eILYSMsIu

— PIERRE GASLY (@PierreGASLY) September 6, 2020

I was absolutely delighted to see Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris finish 2nd and 4th for McLaren.  Carlos very nearly won this race, and it was good to hear him sounding disappointed to finish behind Pierre – it shows his level of ambition.  As with Pierre’s win, there was nothing lucky about McLaren’s performance.  They qualified 3rd and 6th, Carlos putting together a fantastic lap in qualifying to be better than anyone – except for the dominant Mercedes, of course.

Having won my World Championships for McLaren I have stayed close to the team and know how hard the owners, management and staff have worked to bring the team back to a competitive position.  Zak Brown and Andreas Seidl have achieved a great deal in a relatively short time – commercially in terms of bringing sponsors to the team, and technically with the development of a car which is able to consistently run in the World Championship points positions.

Lance Stroll had a chance to win in Monza, but having struggled to get heat into his tyres when the race restarted he was at least able to take a podium finish for Racing Point – the team’s first podium.  Lance is clearly a very capable driver – this was his second podium in Formula 1 and the history books will show that his first one, for Williams in Azerbaijan in 2017, was the final time the team would finish in the top 3 while under the ownership of Frank Williams.

Sunday’s race was the final race for the team under Williams family management, and it is important to recognise the achievements of Frank, his family and the people who worked for them.  When I started racing in Formula 1 Williams was already a hugely successful team, and during the mid-1990’s the Williams-Renaults were almost unbeatable – a little like Mercedes are today.  

I nearly signed for Williams, my manager Keke Rosberg having won the World Championship with them back in 1982, but in the end we went with McLaren.  I think I have would have enjoyed racing those really quick Williams cars that I spent so many years racing against, but we made a decision and my World Championships came along a little later than planned!  I am sorry to see Frank and his family leave the sport, but it is good to see the team continue under new owners – with the team name and its legacy protected.

Formula 1 is a fast sport in every way.  The cars, of course, but also the changes when they happen.  One moment your car can be quick, the next minute you have a problem and winning is impossible.  Everything can change in an instant.

Mercedes was totally dominant in qualifying but a difficult start from Valtteri Bottas and a wrong pit stop call for Lewis Hamilton ruined their races.  Red Bull should normally have taken the opportunity to win, but they had technical problems and retired, while Ferrari suffered a brake failure on Sebastian Vettel’s car and a driving mistake from Charles.  

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, even in a big, well-managed Formula 1 team.  This is when others have an opportunity to win, and as Pierre Gasly showed on Sunday, it’s a very popular result when it happens.  Well done to him.

I really want to acknowledge @PierreGASLY for his amazing win. It is so well deserved. For me, whilst I never like to lose I am grateful for the challenge. All we can do is continue to fight and never give up. To my guys, thank you all for continuing to push. pic.twitter.com/XEvSNOS1rd

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 6, 2020

Formula 1 now heads to Mugello for what will be Ferrari’s 1000th World Championship event.  The Italian team is having a very difficult time at the moment, so it is probably too much to hope that their data from this circuit – they own it – will give them much help.  I expect Mercedes to return to their usual form, and also for Red Bull to make the most of this circuit’s layout, but I also think that McLaren, Alpha Tauri and Racing Points will be pushing hard. 

There is nothing like tasting a little success to lift the spirits and provide extra motivation.