Charles Leclerc clinched a remarkable win on Ferrari’s home turf, fending off Oscar Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris securing third place.
Leclerc employed a unique one-stop tactic to outpace Piastri by 2.6 seconds, claiming his second victory of the season.
McLaren were favourites for the race as they had a front row lock-out but Norris’ race was hindered by Piastri overtaking him on the opening lap.
It left Norris playing catch up for the remainder of the Grand Prix but he couldn’t get back into the lead battle, so settled for third which reduces his deficit to Max Verstappen to 62 points in the Drivers’ Championship.
Carlos Sainz finished fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen limiting the damage in sixth in front of George Russell.
Sergio Perez was eighth and Red Bull retain the lead in the Constructors’ Championship but only by eight points from McLaren with eight events to go.
Willliams’ Alex Albon was ninth, with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen in 10th.
Leclerc clinches stunning victory
Leclerc, starting fourth, leapt to second after lap one as Russell faltered at Turn One and Piastri unexpectedly passed Norris at the second chicane.
Caught off guard, Norris lost pace mid-corner, allowing Leclerc to capitalise.
However, Norris regained ground through an undercut, putting McLaren back in a one-two position.
Both McLaren drivers pitted and Leclerc went for a one-stop strategy, doing 38 laps on the hard tyres, which paid off as he won in Monza for a second time in his career to the delight of the Tifosi.
“It is an incredible feeling. I thought the second time, if there was a second time, would not feel as special as the first, but the emotions over the last few laps were the same,” said Leclerc.
“I want to win Monza and Monaco every year and I have managed to do to. It is so, so special.”
Norris made a mistake on lap 31 as he cut the second chicane when trying to chase down Piastri, but lost time and decided to pit for a second time.
Race leader Piastri was asked if he wanted to pit for a new set hard tyres and came in on lap 39, so handed the lead to Leclerc, with Sainz now in second.
Both McLaren drivers overtook Sainz in the final 10 laps but Leclerc was too far up the road.
Full results here: https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2024/races/1244/italy/race-result
