Max Verstappen from Red Bull clinched the fastest race in Formula One history on Sunday, securing an Italian victory in Ferrari’s territory. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri adhered to team orders, reducing his overall lead to 31 points.
Australian driver Piastri finished third, trailing teammate Lando Norris, who encountered a slow pit stop late in the race. Despite assurances from the team, Norris emerged behind his rival. Piastri, instructed to yield the position, complied and ended in third place. Verstappen, meanwhile, crossed the finish line 19.2 seconds ahead, marking his first win since last May in Imola.
The race clocked in at one hour, 13 minutes, and 24.325 seconds, maintaining an average speed of 250.706kph around the renowned ‘Temple of Speed’.
“We were on point the entire weekend. Winning here is incredibly satisfying,” commented Verstappen on his third win of the season and his career’s 66th victory.
“I noticed our pace was strong and just had to settle in,” the reigning world champion said after briefly losing the lead to Norris at the chaotic start before reclaiming it. “Our pace was evident and quickly we regained the lead. This weekend was phenomenal.”
The rivalry between Piastri and Norris was a focal point, igniting controversy after Norris’s pit stop prompted a position swap decision by the team.
Verstappen reacted over the radio when informed of the switch by race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, exclaiming, “Ha! Just because of a slow stop?” with feigned disbelief. McLaren later apologized to Norris for the delay.
Charles Leclerc secured fourth for Ferrari, delighting the crowd after both cars crashed out in the Netherlands the previous weekend, while George Russell took fifth for Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, secured sixth place in his debut at the ‘Pista Magica’ in Ferrari’s red overalls, starting from 10th position.
Alex Albon delivered a solid seventh-place finish for Williams, with Sauber’s Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in eighth, Mercedes’ Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli ninth, and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar rounding out the top ten.
