Max Verstappen has pulled off a stunning upset by convincingly winning the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Apart from a duel with Norris in the opening rounds, the four-time world champion from Red Bull is unmatched. For Verstappen, this marks his third victory of the season, following Emilia-Romagna and Japan.
Behind him, the McLarens of Lando Norris and World Championship leader Oscar Piastri have to settle for second and third place. This follows a bizarre team order in the final stages. Norris loses his second place after a botched pit stop, but Piastri is instructed to let his teammate pass shortly after. The Australian is audibly indignant.
This will undoubtedly be continued!
Here is a quick overview of the Italian GP:
FORMATION LAP: The first dropout is Nico Hülkenberg, who is called to return his Sauber/Stake F1 car to the pit lane due to grid issues. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly start from the pit lane.
ROUND 1/53: What a start! Max Verstappen starts from pole and tries to keep Lando Norris behind him in the first corner. The four-time world champion succeeds in his plan, but cuts the chicane in the process. Over the team radio, Verstappen is immediately instructed to give up his position in favor of Norris. He complies with the request, thereby avoiding a possible penalty from the stewards.
ROUND 2/53: Charles Leclerc narrowly missed an attack on Oscar Piastri at P3 at the start, but a lap later the Monegasque from Ferrari takes his chance in the first chicane after start/finish.
Verstappen Reclaims Lead
ROUND 4/53: Verstappen reclaims the lead by outbraking Norris in the first chicane. The Brit from McLaren chooses discretion over valor and settles for P2 for now. Piastri overtakes Leclerc shortly after. The top-5 are: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell.
ROUND 11/53: Max Verstappen is on a roll and is pulling away from Lando Norris lap after lap on his mediums. The gap is already almost 3.5 seconds.
ROUND 26/53: End of the race for Fernando Alonso. He goes through the gravel too aggressively with his Aston Martin and breaks his suspension. He is the second dropout of the day after Hülkenberg. Halfway through the race, Verstappen is still in a good position, leading with a comfortable advantage of over six seconds on Lando Norris. The upgrades and special Monza setup are paying off.
ROUND 33/53: Few duels in the front ranks. The margins between Lewis Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, and Hamilton can be generously described. There’s more action in the midfield. Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, among others, are having a bit of a tussle.
First Pitstop for Verstappen
ROUND 38/53: Max Verstappen comes in for his first pitstop and opts for the hard compound. He returns to the track well ahead of Lewis Hamilton. What strategic (tire) choices will Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri make?
ROUND 42/53: Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman collide. They both spin, but miraculously, they can continue their race. Max Verstappen is also lucky here. A safety car situation would have been inconvenient for him now…
ROUND 47/53: Lando Norris has a disastrous pitstop (in 5.9 seconds) because the front left wheel is not properly tightened. Piastri takes full advantage and is handed P2.
ROUND 48/53: Max Verstappen and engineer Gianpiero Lambiase have a chat over the radio and know that the victory is within reach. ‘No risk, full push’, says Verstappen.
‘Slow Pitstop is Part of Racing’
ROUND 49/53: Piastri is instructed to let Norris pass again after his failed pitstop. The Australian obeys the team order, but under protest: ‘A slow pitstop is part of racing.’ Verstappen also does not hide his surprise over the radio.
ROUND 53/53: Max Verstappen is flagged as the winner! The stunt is complete! His lead over the second place, Lando Norris, is almost twenty seconds!
