2023 F1 Italian Grand Prix!

---

THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX: SUNDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2023

• 1. Max Verstappen
• 2. Sergio Perez
• 3. Carlos Sainz Jr
• 4. Charles Leclerc
• 5. George Russell
• 6. Lewis Hamilton
• 7. Alex Albon
• 8. Lando Norris
• 9. Fernando Alonso
• 10. Valtteri Bottas

Verstappen victory breaks record as Red Bull beats Ferrari to one-two

Max Verstappen's remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix has shattered records, marking an unprecedented 10 consecutive Formula One wins for the Red Bull driver.

Previously, Sebastian Vettel held the record for consecutive F1 victories with nine, but Verstappen's phenomenal streak now eclipses that achievement, with the potential to extend it even further throughout the remainder of the season.

The Italian Grand Prix saw Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who had started from the first and third positions on the grid, initially challenge the dominant Red Bulls. However, they ultimately lacked the pace to contend for the top spot, settling instead into their own intense battle for third place.

In the closing laps of the race, the two Ferrari drivers fiercely competed for the final podium position. There were moments of contact between their cars on Lap 47, and a series of wheel-to-wheel duels as they approached Turn 1.

Leclerc received a radio message on the penultimate lap advising him to take "no risk," but he attempted a daring pass on his teammate at the first chicane on the final lap, locking up both front tires in the process. Ultimately, Sainz held onto the position and secured his first podium finish of the year.

Verstappen's journey to victory began when he overtook Sainz, who had started from pole position, after 15 laps of racing. Verstappen executed a meticulously planned move at Monza's second chicane, applying pressure to Sainz as they approached Turn 1. This pressure caused Sainz to lock a wheel while braking for the chicane, compromising his exit and allowing Verstappen to draw alongside him through the sweeping Curva Grande. Verstappen completed the overtake into the Roggia chicane.

Four laps later, Verstappen had built a 3.8-second lead over Sainz, who then found himself embroiled in a fierce battle with teammate Leclerc.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez, starting from fifth on the grid, gradually worked his way up the field and passed Leclerc for third place on Lap 32 out of 51. However, unlike Verstappen, Perez was initially unable to distance himself from Leclerc, as both drivers encountered challenges while trying to pass Sainz.

On Laps 43 and 45, Perez attempted to overtake Sainz at Turn 1 but missed the first part of the chicane on both occasions, obliging him to relinquish the position.

Following a successful pass at the start of Lap 46, Perez secured second place. Verstappen's victory extends his championship lead to 145 points with eight races remaining, keeping him on track to potentially clinch the title at the Qatar Grand Prix, with five races left in the season.

Ferrari's 27-point haul allowed them to surpass Aston Martin in the constructors' championship, positioning them behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

Beyond the top four, George Russell secured fifth place, followed by his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. Both Mercedes drivers received five-second penalties—Russell for cutting the first chicane after rejoining the track alongside Esteban Ocon post-pit stop and Hamilton for colliding with Oscar Piastri while battling for position at the second chicane. However, their substantial lead over the cars behind meant that these penalties did not impact the final results.

Alex Albon delivered more points for Williams with a strong seventh-place finish, successfully fending off McLaren's Lando Norris. Fernando Alonso claimed ninth place for Aston Martin, ahead of Valtteri Bottas, who secured the final championship point in tenth.

After his collision with Hamilton, Piastri had to make a pit stop for a new front wing and finished in 12th place, but he managed to clock the fastest lap of the race.

---