Max Verstappen claimed his first ever victory at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, in what was his fifth consecutive win of the season.
The Dutchman has sensationally won 11 races in 2022, edging him ever closer to Sebastian Vettel’s and Michael Schumacher’s joint-record of 13 wins in a season.
The reigning World Champion claimed victory at Monza with Charles Leclerc finishing second at the team’s home race, to extend his championship lead over the Monegasque driver to 116 points.
Verstappen is now in a position where he could retain his title at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, which will be the sport’s first since 2019 following the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Ferrari gave it everything to claim victory at home, where they also celebrated their 75th anniversary as a manufacturer.
Red Bull’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan, thinks Ferrari sacrificed future races by increasing their power unit at Monza, in order to claim a famous home win.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto had all of the Ferrari hierarchy present at the race, with the Italian having been determined to give the manufacturer’s bosses what they desired.
Leclerc claimed pole position, with Verstappen having qualified second.
The Dutch driver started seventh, though, following a grid penalty.
Verstappen had been the favourite to claim pole, with Red Bull having been predicted to be the fastest team at the circuit.
Leclerc’s comfortable pole position left Monaghan “suspecting” that Ferrari gave Leclerc as much performance as possible from the F1-75, but that it’s best to ask them.
“It doesn’t really matter what I think. It’s best to ask the guys next door [at Ferrari] if you want a factual answer,” Monaghan said to Motorsport-total.com
“I suspect our neighbours, because of their history and geographical situation, have a bit more invested [in this one race at Monza].
“Either they have used their resources very wisely in the development or they have put their bet on a single race.
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“If they want to turn [their engine] up a bit, they can do that,” added Monaghan.
Should Leclerc take a heavy grid penalty at one of the next few races then it would potentially support Monaghan’s theory, one which still resulted in Verstappen claiming victory.
If Leclerc has to take a grid penalty in Singapore then it would need a super drive from the Monegasque to ensure that Verstappen doesn’t win the title at the Marina Bay Circuit, something which is unlikely to happen under normal circumstances.