Charles Leclerc took home an unexpected victory for Ferrari at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix after a strategic risk put the Maranello team ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Leclerc finished only 2.66 seconds ahead of Piastri after managing his hard tyres from lap 16. After what looked set to be a two-stop race Ferrari opted to go long once the McLarens pitted for the second time. With degrading tyres, the Tifosi watched on as a Leclerc fended off Piastri to take home his second Italian Grand Prix victory.
Lando Norris, who took pole position on Saturday, lost the lead on lap 1 after teammate Oscar Piastri performed a daring move around the outside of Turn 4. The move cost Lando an additional place to Leclerc who moved up to P2.
After a rough start from the Brit, McLaren pitted Norris on lap 15 in an attempt to undercut Leclerc. In response, Ferrari pitted Leclerc one lap later and came out behind Norris.
After complaints of tyre struggles from both drivers and Norris going off at second chicane, Mclaren decided against the one-stop. The team pitted Lando on lap 33 and his teammate another six laps later. The more tyre-friendly Ferrari committed to the one-stop and Leclerc remained on his hard tyres for the rest of the race.
Piastri managed to overtake one stopping Carlos Sainz, but was unable to catch the Ferrari quick enough after gaining over nine seconds in the last 11 laps. The Australian reported after the race “When you finish second, it hurts” having felt a second win was easily on the cards.
Norris took the last podium spot after working his way past championship rival Max Verstappen on 41 and the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz seven laps later.
The Mercedes pair took home fifth and seventh after Russell endured a rough battle with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. The Mexican in his defense of seventh place came close with Russell down the front straight before the Brit muscled himself into seventh position.
Further down the grid, an opening lap incident with the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg cost Daniel Ricciardo a five-second penalty and an additional ten when a pit crew touched the front wing of his RB while serving the penalty.
Kevin Magnussen was awarded a ten-second time penalty after a tussle with Piere Gasly saw him lock up and collide with the Frenchman into the second chicane. This added two penalty points to Magnussen’s license banning him from the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix having 12 penalty points on his super license in the last 12 months.
Argentina’s Franco Colapinto finished his first full F1 race in 12th place just over 14 seconds behind teammate Alex Albon. Albon having fended off Fernando Alonso to finish P9, a solid few points for the Williams team.
Formula 1 will return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in week's time on September 15th.
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