Max Verstappen celebrated his fifth consecutive victory at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver prevailed in Monza ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell. However, the end of the race behind the safety car was controversial. The international press reviews:
Great Britain
Telegraph: “Verstappen is very close now. It is possible that he will make it at the next race in Singapore. That is (but) unlikely. Not only would Verstappen have to win, but Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez and George Russell would all have to end up far behind. He’ll probably have to wait until the next race in Japan. But that hardly matters now. The air is long out of this championship.”
DailyMail: “Despite his success, the victory of the 24-year-old Red Bull driver (Max Verstappen) was marred by the fact that a safety car was deployed in the closing stages after Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren stalled with an engine problem.”
Sun: “But this 31st win in (Max Verstappen’s) career (…) was panned by Ferrari fans who felt their husband Charles Leclerc was deprived of a chance to fight for victory.”
Guardians: “These are painful days indeed for Ferrari, and perhaps none with a more unforgiving finality. As the sun went down over Monza, the Scuderia were downright beaten this season. The Italian Grand Prix was a another masterful win by Max Verstappen, who was definitely within reach of his second title at Monza. But I guess it’s infinitely more difficult for Scuderia to deal with because they were beaten this time without really doing anything wrong.”
Spain
Mundo Deportivo: “It was a reality check. That’s what Ferrari experienced at home.”
Sports: “A pitcher of cold water for the Ferrari tifosi who have watched helplessly as another Red Bull win.”
AS: “A very ugly end for Ferrari. Many will ask themselves what could have been and what not when leaving the racetrack. Although given the dominance of Verstappen it would hardly have been a Ferrari victory.”
Italy
La Republica: “Final under boos in Monza.”
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Super-Verstappen also conquers Monza. In front of Sylvester Stallone, the Dutch version of Rocky Balboa Ferrari didn’t stand a chance.”
tuttosport: “The FIA has spent all winter pondering the mistakes made in Abu Dhabi, but the first opportunity to test the new procedures is a failure.”
Switzerland
View: “For the 13th time since 1950, a Formula 1 World Championship race came to an end under the yellow flag. The around 140,000 cheerful spectators in Monza didn’t deserve such a lazy end.”
Austria
Courier: “In a league of its own: Formula 1 star Verstappen also wins in Monza.”