In a season that can only be described as historic, Max Verstappen continues to rewrite the Formula 1 record books. The Dutch sensation, driving for the Red Bull Racing Team, clinched his tenth successive race victory at the Italian Grand Prix, further solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza, known as the ‘Temple of Speed,’ bore witness to a thrilling race where Verstappen had to display his skill, resilience, and patience before emerging victorious.
Race Highlights
The Italian Grand Prix was nothing short of spectacular, with twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Verstappen found himself chasing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz for the first part of the race, an unexpected challenge that added an extra layer of excitement to the event.
As the race progressed, the Red Bull RB19 showcased its supreme power, and Verstappen took the lead on lap 15, utilizing the DRS effectively to pass Sainz. His teammate, Sergio Peréz, also made a remarkable charge through the field, eventually securing the second position.
Meanwhile, Sainz held his ground against his teammate Charles Leclerc, successfully defending the final spot on the podium. The two Ferrari drivers engaged in a thrilling battle, making for some heart-pounding moments in the latter stages of the race.
However, the race wasn’t without its share of drama and surprises. The AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda suffered a technical problem on the formation lap, leading to the abandonment of the start procedure and a reduced race distance of 51 laps.
Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris temporarily led the race due to a one-stop strategy employed by the front runners. Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Peréz, and Russell opted for pit stops after the 20-lap mark, putting them on fresher hard compound tires.
Verstappen, equipped with fresh rubber, swiftly made his way through the field, while George Russell received a five-second penalty for an illegal overtake on Esteban Ocon’s Alpine.
The McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris encountered drama when they exited the pits in close proximity, making contact at Turn 1. Fortunately, both managed to continue despite the incident.
Sergio Peréz, on a mission to secure a podium finish, successfully closed in on the Ferrari drivers and passed Leclerc on lap 32. In the final laps of the race, he overtook Sainz, claiming the second position.
Meanwhile, Hamilton and Piastri found themselves in trouble after colliding, leading to a front-wing change for Piastri and a five-second penalty for Hamilton.
The final laps saw intense in-house drama at Ferrari as Leclerc and Sainz engaged in multiple side-by-side battles. Ultimately, it was Sainz who prevailed, securing the final spot on the podium.
In the end, Max Verstappen extended his record-breaking run to ten consecutive victories, solidifying his dominance in the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Championship Standings
Verstappen’s remarkable success extends his lead in the drivers’ standings to a staggering 145 points ahead of his teammate Sergio Peréz. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso holds third place with 170 points, a considerable 194 points behind Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton trails by six points in fourth place.
In the constructors’ championship, Red Bull Racing stands tall with 583 points, leading the title race by an impressive 310 points from Mercedes. Ferrari has made significant progress and now sits just 45 points behind the Silver Arrows.
Next Stop: Singapore Grand Prix
With the Italian Grand Prix providing a week of intense racing action and memorable moments, Formula 1 now takes a one-week break before heading to Asia for a trio of races in the region. The Singapore Grand Prix is up next on September 17, promising more excitement and drama as the 2023 season continues to unfold.
Formula 1 Standings after the Italian Grand Prix
Leading Drivers
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 364 pts
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 219 pts
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 170 pts
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 164 pts
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 117 pts
Leading Constructors
- Red Bull – 583 pts
- Mercedes – 273 pts
- Ferrari – 228 pts
- Aston Martin – 217 pts
- McLaren – 115 pts
