McLaren the team to beat at Monza as Red Bull and Ferrari chase

7 September, 2012

Jenson Button the man to beat after his Spa return to the top step of the podium

Sep.7 (GMM) Who is going to win Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at the legendary Monza circuit. McLaren, Red Bull or Ferrari?

“Well, for sure it’s not going to be easy,” said championship leader and Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.

He’s referring to the fact that, despite leading the drivers’ chase by 24 points, he is being hounded in the standings by the Red Bull drivers.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have dominantly won the last two grands prix.

“It’s five days [since Spa] so I don’t think we will recover eight tenths by [a] magic button,” said Alonso.

Just a few days ago, the Spaniard said he feared McLaren more than Red Bull.

“If that’s what he said, I think that’s ok,” German Vettel smiled and shrugged at Monza, according to Germany’s Sport1.

“The top teams are very close together so it’s hard to say anything [about performance].”

Red Bull Driver manager Dr Helmut Marko is also keen to avoid Red Bull being written off.

“We are a winning team, we can win races. Why should it be otherwise here?” he is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper at Monza.

Vettel told DPA news agency: “Honestly, I cannot say that I am the favourite, but before Spa the title was open and probably it will still be open until the last race in Brazil.”

Subbed by AJN.

Related posts:

1. Vettel: McLaren seem very strong right now, they are the team to beat
2. Practice 1: Alonso tops as Red Bull duo chase
3. Practice 2: Vettel fastest as McLaren chase
4. Alonso is now the man to beat for the title
5. Drivers say Red Bull remains team to beat