Ivan Capelli pushes Ferrari at Monza: "If luck turns… "

In Monza, at the presentation of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, there was also Ivan Capelli, a former driver for Ferrari and Tyrrell among others: he is now a commentator for Sky Sport and is also the face of the documentary Benetton Formula that will be broadcast by the broadcaster next fall. Sportal.it interviewed him exclusively.

How does Ferrari arrive at Monza?
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Ferrari arrives with a few patches, because the bad luck of the Dutch Grand Prix was felt. But Monza is a special place, a unique track in the World Championship: the fastest, with extreme dynamics. Drivers have to get used to violent braking and unloaded cars again. Here you don’t race with medium or high aerodynamic loads, as on most circuits. You will see extreme power and efficiency of the electrical part.

Can miracles still happen at Monza?
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They have already happened, and they could happen again. In 1988 McLaren with Prost and Senna seemed unbeatable, destined to win every race in the championship. But at Monza Senna made contact at the first chicane, Berger was second, Alboreto third, and it was Ferrari that won, interrupting a total domination. That day went down in history.

Is there anything to expect this year as well?
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Yes, also because of Lewis’s arrival at the Ferrari track. Monza always has a different energy. With all due respect to Imola, which is a lordly circuit and offers a splendid environment, when the Italian Grand Prix arrives, the Maranello team arrives with a different spirit. There is total involvement: from the mechanics to the engineers, everyone is focused on giving it their all. If the bad luck accumulated so far finally turns around, maybe we can really think about a surprise hit, like the one Charles came close to last year.

The two men’s recent statements have sparked discussion. They said that maybe Ferrari deserves other drivers.
Yes, it was not easy to hear those words. In such a tight Formula 1, even a tenth makes a difference. At Zandvoort, between first and second, there were only 12 thousandths. Today half a tenth can mean five positions on the grid. Engineers and drivers work on the limit, and it is normal that when you lose so little but slip back, frustration grows. That’s also where certain statements come from. The drivers give everything, but sometimes it’s not enough.

And Antonelli? There is great anticipation for him, too.
Kimi arrives at the appointment in a delicate moment, especially on a mental level. The summer break was supposed to help him recharge, but the first signs in Holland were not positive. That said, every race is an opportunity to start again. Hadjar, for example, has shown that with perseverance real growth can be built. So much is expected of Antonelli, not least because he drives for Mercedes. But the comparison with George Russell weighs heavy: seven years of experience behind him, and a career in which he managed to put even Hamilton under pressure. We often forget that behind those boyish faces are professionals with huge loads on their shoulders.