Max Verstappen wins F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the title-chasing McLaren teammates, and Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Verstappen’s first victory since May, and only his third of the season, came at Monza, which marked the four-time world champion’s best weekend since posting the fastest lap in Formula 1 history on Saturday to claim pole position.

“Glorys, that was unbelievable!” Everyone, well done, Verstappen said on team radio. We really succeeded in doing that. What a fantastic weekend. That is truly impressive, we can be proud of.

Verstappen and Norris finished nearly 20 seconds behind each other to close the title race lead to 31 points. The Australian driver was 34 points clear of him when he was told to let his teammate pass toward the finish line of the race.

Norris made the switch after a slow pit stop, which appeared to put his title chances in jeopardy even further when he came out behind his teammate. However, despite expressing his regrets on team radio, McLaren instructed Piastri to let the British driver pass.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari put forth strong performances at the team’s home race. Leclerc finished fourth, Hamilton surged through the field at the start of the game in sixth place, after starting from 10th following a five-place grid penalty, and was cheered on by the fervent, red-clad “Tifosi” fans.

Norris had a rare engine issue and was desperate to recover from a disastrous Dutch Grand Prix. He tussled with Verstappen right away at Monza, and he was forced to run away into the grass at the corner.

“I always anticipate a good fight with Max, and it was,” said Norris. “One of those weekends where we fight a little bit less slowly, but I enjoyed it.”

Verstappen was instructed to return the place, and he did so without incident, but the Red Bull driver reclaimed the lead at lap four by passing Norris into Turn One.

Verstappen’s victory was almost in a procession from there. After pitting on lap 38, he briefly found himself behind the McLarens, but he soon regained the lead when Piastri arrived on lap 46, followed by Norris, who came in second.