Italian GP 2024: Verstappen Dominates the Field, Takes Third Win of the Season

Verstappen wins Italian GP

Italian GP 2024: Max Verstappen edges past Norris, claiming his third win of the season and solidifying his position in the championship standings.

The Italian Grand Prix got off to a frantic start, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris engaging in a intense battle...

Max Verstappen made history at the Italian Grand Prix, snapping McLaren's winning streak with a phenomenal drive to claim victory at Monza. Starting from pole position, Verstappen dominated the race, showcasing his exceptional skills and strategy. This win marked his third Italian Grand Prix victory and 66th career F1 win.

Max Verstappen's bid for a fifth consecutive drivers' title seems increasingly unlikely, given his 94-point deficit to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Despite this, Verstappen expressed his enjoyment after taking the chequered flag, completing the race in the one hour, 13 minutes, and 24.325 seconds. The significant gap in points suggests Red Bull's struggles are impacting Verstappen's title aspirations.

“I think we pitted at the right time and with the hard tyres at the end you can push a bit more... It was a fantastic execution by everyone.

“I think the whole weekend we were all in. It was super enjoyable to win here.”

Oscar Piastri is currently leading the drivers' standings, with Lando Norris trailing by 31 points. Norris finished second in the Italian Grand Prix but would have placed third if not for a strategic team order that swapped positions with his teammate Piastri during the race. Norris reflected on his battle with Max Verstappen, saying, “I always know it's going to be a good fight with Max, and it was. But just not the speed today, not the pace of Max and the Red Bull. But it was still fun, still a good race.”

"Fantastico! Well done, mate"

Max and GP celebrate over the radio 📻#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/BfwmH5iVqA

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 7, 2025

Charles Leclerc, the 2019 Italian Grand Prix winner, had a disappointing run, finishing fourth and leaving the passionate Ferrari fans in the stands without a podium celebration. This year's Italian Grand Prix saw Ferrari introducing extreme technical upgrades to their SF-25 car, designed to maximize straight-line speed and overall performance at the high-speed Monza circuit.

Lewis Hamilton showcased his driving skills at the Italian Grand Prix, making up several positions after starting 10th due to a five-place grid penalty. He charged up to sixth place with some impressive maneuvers early in the race. However, Hamilton couldn't overtake his former Mercedes teammate George Russell, ultimately finishing behind him and leaving him with a disappointing result in his first Monza GP with Ferrari.

Hamilton's determination was evident as he fought to regain positions lost due to the grid penalty. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to surpass Russell, highlighting the challenges he faced in adapting to his new team.

THE TOP 10 FINISHERS 👀#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/YnmTugEt3l

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 7, 2025

Max Verstappen's victory at the Italian Grand Prix was a masterclass in driving skill and strategy. His bold overtaking move against Lando Norris on lap four was the turning point in the race, showcasing his exceptional driving abilities. This win marked Verstappen's third of the season, a notable achievement despite being overshadowed by McLaren's dominance in the championship.

Verstappen's win capped a historic weekend at Monza, where he also set the fastest lap in F1 history during qualifying. This victory was his second in Italy this year, following his win in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. The 27-year-old driver's performance demonstrated his skill and adaptability, solidifying his position as a top contender in the championship.

LAP 53/53

And Lando Norris comes home in P2 with Oscar Piastri taking the final podium spot#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/LBxQ8Ngdyu

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 7, 2025

The win also had significant implications for the championship standings. Norris finished second, trimming the gap to Oscar Piastri to 31 points. Despite the loss, Piastri remained in the lead, and the team order that saw Piastri let Norris pass sparked debate among fans and pundits. Verstappen's victory reminded everyone of his exceptional driving skills and Red Bull's potential to challenge McLaren's dominance.

The Italian Grand Prix got off to a frantic start, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris engaging in a intense battle. Verstappen's aggressive move appeared to force Norris off the track, prompting the McLaren driver to vent his frustration over the team radio, calling Verstappen an “idiot.” However, the tables quickly turned as Verstappen took control of the race with a daring pass at the chicane on lap four, leaving Norris to settle for second place.

After taking the lead, Verstappen went on to dominate the rest of the race, showcasing his exceptional driving skills and strategic prowess. His victory marked a significant milestone, cementing his reputation as one of the top drivers in Formula 1.

After taking the lead, Verstappen quickly pulled away from the field, building a significant gap of around six seconds over Lando Norris by the time he made his pit stop on lap 38. Despite switching to hard tyres, Verstappen's pace remained strong, and he lost only two places during the pit stop. He efficiently closed the gap to the McLarens, who had delayed their pit stops, with Norris pitting as late as lap 47.

The pit stop strategy played a crucial role in the outcome of the race. Verstappen's early pit stop allowed him to maintain his position and preserve his tyres, while the McLarens' late pit stops left them vulnerable to his charge. Ultimately, Verstappen's well-executed strategy contributed to his victory.

The slow pit stop proved costly for Lando Norris, dropping him to third place and recalling the mechanical failure that plagued him at the Dutch Grand Prix the previous weekend. To prevent further disadvantage, McLaren team orders came into play, instructing Oscar Piastri to let Norris pass and secure second place. This strategic decision drew a chuckle from Max Verstappen over the Red Bull team radio as he cruised to victory.

Verstappen's win showcased his exceptional driving skills and strategic prowess. Despite the McLaren team's efforts to salvage the situation for Norris, Verstappen's lead was insurmountable, and he took the checkered flag to secure a convincing victory.

Verstappen's Recent Performance

Qualifying Success: Verstappen recently secured pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, setting a new lap record and showcasing his driving prowess.

Title Hopes: Despite his skill, Verstappen and Red Bull have faced challenges this season, with the team admitting that their title hopes are dwindling due to the significant points gap.

Red Bull's Admission

Title Chances: Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has seemingly conceded that their F1 title hopes are over, citing the substantial gap between them and McLaren.

Team's Focus: The team is now focusing on the next race, working to close the gap and achieve better results.

Key Highlights of the Race:

Record-Breaking Win: Verstappen's victory was record-breaking, with ten consecutive wins, a feat previously unseen in F1 history.

Thrilling Battle: The Dutchman battled Lando Norris early on, taking the lead on lap four and checking out to secure a convincing win.

McLaren Drama: Norris and Oscar Piastri were involved in late drama, with Norris trimming Piastri's title lead to 31 points after a slow pit stop and a team-ordered swap.

Final Results:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
• Lando Norris (McLaren)
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Verstappen's win showcased his dominance in the sport, cementing his status as a top driver. His team, Red Bull Racing, executed a flawless strategy, allowing him to cruise to victory.