For Verstappen it is his third victory of this season, after previous victories in Suzuka and Imola. Behind him, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished as second and third respectively. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) finished fourth.
Wonderful opening phase in Monza
The opening rounds on the super fast circuit of Monza went spectacular. Towards the first chicane, Norris started next to Verstappen (pole position) in the grass, but he was able to attack Verstappen in the inside bend. The Dutchman then cut the bend, although retained his first place, it was instructed to return that position.
Verstappen did that at the start of the second round, but he kept the pressure on Norris and the Brit went by in the fourth round in a beautifully way. Behind it, World Cup leader Piastri was engaged in a bright duel with Leclerc. The Australian took the third place back from the Ferrari driver in the sixth round. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, also advanced considerably in the initial phase: from ten to six.
Max Verstappen takes matters in hand
After catching up in round four, Verstappen steadily expanded his lead. The entire weekend in Monza was clear that McLaren – on a circuit where relatively little downscent pressure is being driven – was not as dominant as on many other circuits. But also that Red Bull, and certainly Verstappen, was always close to it and soon found the right direction when finding the right adjustment.
How Red Bull drastically changed the helm and Max Verstappen scared his technical director in Monza
Reigning world champion Verstappen came in after round 37 (of the total of 53 laps) for his pit stop and switched from the medium on the hard tire. He therefore ended up behind both McLaren drivers. Not much later Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Oliver Bearman (Haas) touched each other, but both could continue their way and a Safety Car was not necessary.
McLaren drivers drive longer
After Verstappen’s pit stop, the McLaren drivers both drove on for longer. The Limburger quickly reduced the gap to ensure that it would not be the pisang in the event of a safety car situation. Piastri came in after round 45, Norris a round later.
Norris’s stop, however, went dramatically (5.9 seconds), causing the Brit to fall back to third place. McLaren then dedicated Piastri to give him the second place and stated that they were then free to race, to Piastri’s dissatisfaction. Norris then retained second place and walked in three dots, in the battle for the world title. Verstappen was no longer in trouble far before that and won his 66th Formula 1 victory.