RACE DEBRIEF

THE ITALIAN GP IN 3 KEY MOMENTS

1 Gasly maxes out as Mercedes implodes

The jury remains out on the effects of the FIA’s clampdown on special qualifying engine modes after a madcap Italian Grand Prix, but one thing is certain: Pierre Gasly ran out the victor on merit after seizing the initiative when the usually dominant Mercedes team fluffed it. Starting in 10th, Gasly could hardly have expected to feature in the fight up front, but the circumstances surrounding the double-whammy of a mid-race Safety Car period followed by a red flag – for separate incidents – conspired to turn the race on its head.

After qualifying, during, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed his team had seen the ban coming months ago and developed “a strong mode for qualifying we can run all race”. This glee would not last long once the start lights went out on Sunday.