F1 Pundit Robert Doornbos Calls Italian GP a "Very Sad Weekend for Ferrari Fans"

F1 Pundit Doornbos Criticizes Ferrari's Home Race Performance\n\nFormer Red Bull driver and F1 pundit Robert Doornbos has sharply criticized Ferrari's showing at their home Grand Prix in Monza, labeling it a "very sad weekend for Ferrari fans." Speaking on The Pit Talk podcast, Doornbos emphasized the immense pressure on the Scuderia to perform for the Tifosi at their most iconic event.\n\n### Why it matters:\nMonza, the "Temple of Speed," represents Ferrari's truest home race, carrying immense emotional weight and expectation from their passionate fanbase, the Tifosi. A strong performance here is crucial for team morale and fan loyalty.\n\n### The Big Picture:\nDoornbos noted that the "whole season hasn't been great" for Ferrari. He specifically highlighted recent lows, including the Dutch Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton made a rare driver error, and Charles Leclerc retired due to car issues, not driver fault. These incidents, according to Doornbos, underscore a broader struggle for the team.\n\n### Monza's Disappointment:\nDespite Charles Leclerc qualifying a promising third, Ferrari's race pace at Monza quickly faded. While initial laps showed excitement, the cars ultimately dropped back, with Leclerc finishing fourth and Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth. Doornbos stated, "In the opening laps it looks exciting and then they drop back. So fourth and sixth, it's better than crashing out with two cars, for sure. But it's still not where Ferrari wants to be."\n\n### Hamilton's Race & Vasseur's View:\nLewis Hamilton, who started with a five-place grid penalty from Zandvoort, recovered strongly from tenth. However, his progress stalled behind George Russell, and he ultimately finished sixth. Interestingly, Team Principal Fred Vasseur reportedly believed Hamilton's pace was superior to Leclerc's at Monza, adding another layer to the team's weekend evaluation.