Leclerc wins Italian GP at Monza, Verstappen 6th

What a coup by Charles Leclerc and Ferrari! Fourth on the grid, the Monegasque took the gamble of making only one stop at the Italian Grand Prix and this allowed him to win at Monza. An unexpected victory in front of wild tifosi. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris completed the podium while Max Verstappen finished 6th^e.

Piastri gets the better of Norris

However, McLaren held the cards in Lombardy. Norris was on pole ahead of Piastri but the Briton was quickly overtaken by his Australian teammate on the first lap. And Leclerc took advantage of this to get between the two papaya cars. Having been on Piastri’s pace for a long time, the Monegasque then lost ground after ten laps and the stops began. First Norris then Leclerc and then Piastri. The situation had then changed since Piastri was leading the race ahead of Norris and Leclerc.

The Ferraris’ peers

The latter was at least annoyed to have lost a place in the pits and did not fail to report it but he did not know that his team was one step ahead. Ferrari then launched into a one-stop strategy while everyone else was on two stops. At the end of the 32^e lap, Norris dove into the pits again, imitated by Piastri on lap 39. Leclerc remained on track with his worn hard tires. 15 seconds off the lead, the Australian then got rid of Sainz, as did Norris, but was never going to manage to catch up with the Monegasque. To the great joy of the tifosi since Leclerc crossed the line as the winner after a real masterclass. His second victory of the season after Monaco and the seventh in his career.

Verstappen 6th

McLaren will inevitably have some regrets because victory was promised to the British team but, once again, it did not shine in strategy and let precious points slip away in the race for the constructors’ titles and Norris also let some slip away for the drivers’ title. Indeed, Max Verstappen suffered again on Sunday and had to settle for sixth place, behind Sainz and Hamilton, 37 seconds behind the leader… Far, far away and Sergio Perez (8^e) did not do any better. The Dutchman is still in doubt and leaves Monza with a 62-point lead over Norris before Azerbaijan in two weeks.