It’s five in a row for Max Verstappen, the defending world champion too quick once again at Monza to claim victory ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
The race, which finished under a safety car, had promised so much more with a mixed grid creating a possibility of yet another surprise Monza winner following the McLaren 1-2 last year and Gasly’s win the one prior.
This was not to be, the Red Bull of the Dutchman too quick for the field and closest contender Leclerc, who had started on pole.
Leclerc was the better starter off the front row and had led the early proceeding over second-placed starter Russell. Verstappen, who had started seventh on the grid after receiving a new internal combustion engine resulting in a 5-place grid drop, quickly went about picking off the cars ahead and was up to third by Lap 2.
McLaren’s aim of a repeat 1-2 from last years event went out the window almost immediately, the second row lockout for the team seeing Daniel Ricciardo start well but Lando Norris poorly and dropping several positions.
Lap 5 was where the Dutchman picked off Russell for second place, leaving him to go about hinting down Leclerc for the lead.
Sainz, starting from the rear of the field after taking a new MGU-K, gearbox and electronic system for his Ferrari, was also working through the field.
The Spaniard was up to fifth by the end of Lap 12 when a virtual safety car was required due to a stricken Sebastian Vettel, mechanical difficulties seeing him forced to pull off the track.
Leclerc made the most of this opportunity for a quick stop, whilst Verstappen remained out to take the race lead on track.
It wasn’t until Lap 21 when Verstappen came in, emerging some 10 seconds behind Leclerc.
Hamilton had gone about quietly picking off places through the race and was up to fifth by Lap 34. The 7-time-world champion had also started from the rear, a fourth power unit of the season cause for the penalty.
Lap 34 was also when Leclerc came in for his second stop, giving Verstappen the race lead back albeit on older tyres.
There was late drama to be had on Lap 51 of 53, Ricciardo’s McLaren losing power and triggering a safety car until the chequered flag.
This saw Verstappen come home with his 11th win of the year, and fifth in a row, over Leclerc and Russell.
Sainz managed to make it an impressive fourth, charging from the back, whilst Hamilton held fifth and Perez sixth. The latter was also confined to the rear of the field with a new engine.
Norris held on for seventh place ahead of 2020 Monza winner Gasly.
Nyck de Vries, standing in for an ill Alex Albon at Williams, had a day to remember, the moment not getting the better of the 27-year-old and seeing him come home in the points in his debut race. He finished ninth.
De Vries had been one of the major benefactors of the penalties taken by many of the field, moving up the grid from 12th to eighth before the event had even begun.
Zhou Guanyu took the last point available, rounding out the top 10.
Header Image: Planet F1
