Italian Grand Prix – Charles Leclerc gives Ferrari victory on home turf

What a fantastic start by Charles Leclerc! The Monegasque took advantage of the clash between Oscar Piastri and George Russell to reclaim third place. The Briton broke his front wing in the battle. In the second chicane, Oscar Piastri overtook his teammate to take the lead of the race. In a difficult position, Lando Norris struggled to accelerate. The Monegasque, in a bold move, passed him. The crowd was in complete excitement.

Well established at the front of the race, Oscar Piastri tried to pull away, but Ferrari No. 16 remained in ambush. George Russell lost big at the first turn. The Briton dropped to seventh place. Max Verstappen took advantage to gain a position.

PIASTRI PREND LA TÊTE DE LA COURSE À SON COÉQUIPIER 🤯🤯#ItalianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/drX43Gxbf7

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 1, 2024

On the sixth lap, Nico Hülkenberg went to the pits to change his front wing following contact with Yuki Tsunoda’s Racing Bull in the first corner. The German was too daring in an overtaking attempt and collided with the other car. The Japanese driver, having suffered too much damage, retired.

Alpines got through the first loops unscathed. They each gained a position. Pierre Gasly was 13th, his teammate just behind. Following the accident between Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hülkenberg, the Haas driver was penalized ten seconds.

Difficult start to the Grand Prix for George Russell

Pierre Gasly was the first man to pit on the 13th lap. The Frenchman fitted hard tires. Alpine driver was followed a few seconds later by George Russell, struggling. Mercedes took the opportunity to change his front wing.

McLaren’s strategy worked perfectly. The team brought Lando Norris in one lap earlier than Charles Leclerc. The British driver completed a perfect out lap and gained a position at the expense of the Ferrari driver.

Red Bull brought in Max Verstappen very late. The Dutchman changed tires on the 23rd lap, ten laps later than Pierre Gasly. The pit stop for car number 1 went very wrong. The three-time world champion was held for more than six seconds in front of his garage. He came out in eighth place.

At the front of the race, Oscar Piastri was as steady as a metronome. The Australian made no mistakes and set the fastest lap record on every lap. His teammate was unable to keep up with his pace.

Too aggressive, Lando Norris went straight at the second chicane, allowing Charles Leclerc to come back in the McLaren’s gearbox. The second in the world championship returned to the pits after this incident. Once again, the pit stop was not flawless.

A strategy to a stop

On the 39th lap, Oscar Piastri dived into the pits for his second stop. Like most of the pit stops of the day, this one was very average. The driver number 81 handed over the keys to the Grand Prix to the two Ferraris.

The Red Bulls, struggling in Monza, were very aggressive in their defenses. Sergio Perez pushed George Russell onto the grass. The Mercedes driver had to back off approaching the first turn. Max Verstappen was very close to the limit against Lando Norris.

While most teams had chosen a two-stop strategy, Ferrari did not follow this plan. The two red cars only stopped once. Adding even more spice to this race. Carlos Sainz, in second place, slowed down as much as possible Oscar Piastri, who was much faster with his new tires. But the power of the DRS quickly favored the McLaren approaching the 45th lap at Ascari.

In front, Charles Leclerc’s pace was very good. Despite his worn tires, the Monegasque was losing very little time against the Australian. The driver of car number 16 resisted until the end. Monza erupted. Monza exploded. Charles Leclerc entered even more into Ferrari’s legend with this victory.

The results of the 2024 Italian Grand Prix of F1