Top Gear America. Wednesday @ 9pm - 10:30pm (MotorTrend)
Monza was another crazy race with championship implications. Hams had a bad start and finish in the sprint race, putting him a bit out of position in the race and while trying to pass Max early, they touch tires and he looses a spot or two. Fast forward to the first round of pit stops, Max has a stinker (10sec) and homes out no longer in the effective lead. He goes nuts on his out-lap to ensure Hamilton doesn't get the undercut on his stop, but Hams comes out of the pit a bit ahead of Max. They both came to turn one at about the same time and more wheel on wheel crime took place. This time around, however, they tangle rear tires. Verstappen was dinged by the stewards for this accident, which ended with a rear tire on Hamiltons helmet in a very worrisome scene resulting in a red flag. Verstappen got a 5-grid spot penalty primarily because Hamilton was there first and neither yielded coming out of the chicane -- not surprising based on what they're fighting for. Even though these two took each other out of the race, the race leader at the time was neither of them. Ricciardo, after all these ups and downs in the McLaren found his groove on a track that suited the McLaren better than the front runners had anticipated. Daniel looked comfortable and it showed during the sprint and during the actual race. Norris was in position to pickup where Max and Lewis left off, getting behind his teammate as the challenges chased after them. The points grab commenced and the newly announced 2022 Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas worked his way through the field after his grid penalty to take the final podium spot. Ferrari raced well, taking 4th and 6th, Perez snagged 5th to help with damage control in the Constructors' and Alpine took 8th and 10th. George Russell piloted his Williams to 9th for even more points this year and Lance got his Aston into 7th. Congrats to McLaren and Daniel for the race win and having all the hard work and rough years finally pay off. I'm sure this won't be the last time they content for a race win this season. Russia, this weekend, should be another interesting race; Red Bull typically isn't super strong in Sochi, but they'll be doing all they can to gain points in the Drivers' and Constructors' chips. This Driver's Championship is as competitive as it's been is years and I'm enjoying, although I'd like them both to finish the races.