My first race was the Italian Grand Prix in Monza Italy. Monza is the oldest circuit on the race calendar and is known to be the “Temple of Speed”. Often it is also referred to as the “Home of the Tifosi”. (A Tifosi is a Ferrari fan!)
Due to it being Ferrari’s home race the stands are filled in red and the symbol of the prancing horse is everywhere! If you are a Ferrari fan, then Monza is the race you want to attend. As a proud member of the Tifosi family it was my goal to experience Monza before my favorite driver, Carlos Sainz, and at the time Ferrari driver, left the team.
The race unfolded like magic I’ve never experienced before! It started with both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, at the top of the race, and after a few pitstops and tire issues, the McLaren’s lost the battle for the front. During pitstops, there are multiple race leaders, including Redbull driver Max Verstappen and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. With 10 laps to go Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari driver, becomes the new race leader! The crowd goes wild at the possible chance of witnessing a Ferrari win at Monza. The standing is Leclerc in the lead, Norris, then Sainz in third. Unfortunately, Sainz is overtaken by Piastri for third and the fan’s hope of a double Ferrari podium is gone. But the story for Ferrari is not over, Charles Leclerc crosses the finish line and wins the Italian Grand Prix!
The crowd at Monza during a Ferrari win is the craziest energy I have ever felt. The crowd erupted into cheer and the track invasion began. The fans rushed into the track and ran to the podium to be able to witness history. I had never run so fast in my life before, and as I reached the crowd I was in shock. Red celebratory smoke filled the air, fans chanted anthems, and when it came time for Charles Leclerc to lift the trophy the screams of joy filled the air. It was a real Ferrari dream and I was there to witness it.
“track invasion
the Tifosi, the flags
the roar of the crowd
the feeling of victory”
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