Sector 4, Row H, Seat 131 was my assigned spot to experience the most significant motor competition in recent history. For a good reason, Italians have named this circuit "Il tempio della velocita". The temple of speed in Monza is the fastest circuit in the F1 calendar. Every time cars passed at the main straight, the sound of the engines at full revs was exhilarating.
I'm a Lewis Hamilton fan, but I must confess that Ferrari fever is highly contagious. I was expecting to see a good race, but nothing prepared me to experience the roar of the Tifosi every time a Ferrari passed.
With my camera, I was trying to follow cars, panning right to left and using a low shutter speed to create a blurry background. At 320 kilometers an hour, I could not sync my movements with them, especially the McLarens that were flying low. This was the papaya team race to win, but the Ferraris had a magic strategy under their sleeves.
When people realized the Maranello team was planning a one-stop strategy, the excitement started building up. There was a point when the engines could not be heard because the people were making so much noise. I could not help but remember the stories I read about spectacles in the Colosseum two thousand years ago and compare them with this event and these brave F1 pilots as modern-era gladiators.
The 16th race in the calendar finished at 16:16 PM; as the Ferrari number 16 of Leclerc crossed the finish line, the crowd's deafening cheers echoed through the circuit. It was a moment of pure elation, a celebration of human achievement and the thrill of competition. Just remembering it brings back goosebumps. Crowds stormed into the circuit to get closer to the podium, chanting "il predestinato's" name. They erupted when he lifted the trophy, but hearing the whole country of Italy singing their anthem in unison was a joyous experience that I will carry with me forever. Grazie Italia! Forza Ferrari!
(Go Lewis!) :)
