Italian Grand Prix review

Andrew Lewin at Monza 07/09/2015 at 11:0007/09/2015 at 00:00

Following another Lewis Hamilton dominant victory overshadowed by tyre controversy, F1i looks back at how the Italian Grand Prix unfolded and is for once proud of just how accurate its podium prediction was…

The race in 100 words

Lewis Hamilton dominated the whole weekend, topping every session, leading every lap and setting the fastest lap. Sebastian Vettel was a lonely second but looked set to come under pressure from Nico Rosberg before the Mercedes' engine blew in the closing laps, promoting Felipe Massa to third as he held off Valtteri Bottas. Kimi Raikkonen had a terrible start to go from P2 to last place but recovered to fifth, ahead of two Force India's who enjoyed a strong weekend, while McLaren grew frustrated at Honda. But late drama stole the show as Mercedes escaped sanction for low tyre pressures.

Driver of the weekend

Despite the controversy after the race, you just can't look beyond Hamilton as the standout performer. Hamilton was fastest in all three practice sessions, as well as Q1, Q2 and Q3. Having taken pole position he disappeared in to the distance and opened up a huge lead, setting the fastest lap on his way to a dominant victory by just over 25 seconds. The Mercedes tyre pressures almost cost him the win, but 0.3 PSI was certainly not to blame for his imperious performance; that was all down to Hamilton's talent.

Move of the race

Max Verstappen is making this section of our review his own this season. Having to recover from last on the grid, the Toro Rosso driver produced some measured moves but there was one which stood out at Turn 1. Attacking Felipe Nasr, Verstappen was forced to the outside approaching the braking zone but was much later on the left pedal and got a full car length ahead as he stopped from almost 350kph, giving him the high ground for the second part of the chicane and ensuring the move was clean. Outstanding feel on the brakes.

Prediction accuracy

Podium: 1. Lewis Hamilton, 2. Sebastian Vettel, 3. Felipe Massa

F1i’s pre-race prediction: 1. Lewis Hamilton, 2. Felipe Massa, 3. Sebastian Vettel