Max Verstappen started from seventh after a grid penalty but was up to second after just five laps; Charles Leclerc was on pole but was unable to match Verstappen’s pace; the Dutchman’s fifth straight victory tightens his grip on the world championship
Last Updated: 11/09/22 3:35pm
Max Verstappen produced a dominant performance at the Italian Grand Prix to deny Charles Leclerc victory in Monza and secure a fifth successive win.
Verstappen started from seventh on the grid after a grid penalty, but was up to second after just five laps and clearly held a pace advantage over pole-sitter Leclerc.
Ferrari, seeking a win at its home race, pitted Leclerc after 11 laps under a virtual safety car as the Italian team sought to find any sort of advantage over Verstappen, but the move was in vain as the medium tyres fitted to the Monegasque’s car failed to provide the durability or speed to mount a challenge.
With Leclerc forced to make a second stop, Verstappen held a near 20-second lead in the closing stages, before a technical failure for Daniel Ricciardo saw the McLaren stop out on track with five laps remaining, and the race end behind a Safety Car.
While Leclerc complained over radio and there were boos from Ferrari fans at the decision to finish the race behind the Safety Car, there was little doubt that Verstappen and Red Bull deserved the victory.
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An impeccably observed minute’s silence was followed by a round of applause for Queen Elizabeth II from both on the grid and in the grandstands at the Italian GP.
George Russell, who started second, continued his remarkably consistent debut season for Mercedes by finishing third.
Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, who both started from the rear of the grid having been among nine drivers taking penalties, produced superb comeback drives to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
The sport continued to pay its respects to Queen Elizabeth II, with a minute’s silence impeccably observed before the race, along with several cars carrying visual tributes.
More to follow…
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