Mugello is the most Italian of racetracks. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Tuscan hills, it is a bucolic location. And the 2024 Italian Grand Prix took that to another level: held on June 2nd, the day Italy celebrates the foundation of the Republic, which created the modern iteration of the country after the Second World War. On the grid, the famous tenor Maurizio Marchini belted out Il Canto degli Italiani, Italy's boisterous and rousing national anthem, while Eurofighters of the Italian air force flew so low over the circuit that we saw the hat of someone up on the VIP deck at the top of the building flutter past, blown off as they passed.
On the second row of the grid stood two blue Ducatis. Yes, blue. The factory Ducati Lenovo team were kitted out in the colors of the Azzurri, Italy's national sporting teams. On the backs of the shirts of riders, mechanics, engineers, and managers, their names were displayed in white letters. The Ducati Lenovo team were Italy's national team in MotoGP, was the message they conveyed. And just like Italy's national soccer team, when they turn up for a contest, they come to win.
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