Charles Leclerc in Ferrari won today’s Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. The Scuderia won in Monza after five years, when the Monaco was also the fastest in the service of the team from Maranello.
Leclerc took advantage of Ferrari’s strategy of pitting their cars only once to win by 2.6 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
“It’s an amazing feeling. The last few laps I felt the same emotions as in 2019. Monza is a race you want to win every year. Of course you want to win as many Grands Prix as possible, but I managed to win the two most important ones this year – in Monaco and now here in Monza,” said a moved Leclerc.
Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris finished third. Series leader Max Verstappen in Red Bull took sixth place and his lead over the Brit was reduced to 62 points.
Norris lost the lead again in the first lap. After Piastri’s unexpected attack in the fourth corner, Leclerc also overtook him.
And it was between the McLaren and Ferrari teams that a key strategic battle took place throughout the race.
While both Scuderia drivers lasted until the end after changing shoes on hard compounds, the pair of drivers in orange had to go to the mechanics once more.
“With the way my tires were wearing out, it was impossible to make just one pit stop. Ferrari had a better car today,” admitted Norris at the finish line.
It was the different strategy that made the difference, as Piastri’s final chase came late. Although the Australian racer was setting faster lap times towards the end of the Grand Prix, he was unable to get close enough to Leclerc.
Argentinian Franco Colapinto took twelfth place in his first start for Williams after Logan Sargeant’s dismissal.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen faces a ban from the next race after today’s collision with Pierre Gasly in Alpine. The Dane has already collected 12 penalty points, which should mean a temporary withdrawal of the super license and a stop sign for the next event in Baku. He will go to Azerbaijan in two weeks.
