Leclerc's bold strategy call seals glorious win at Monza

Charles Leclerc saw off McLaren's challenge to claim a famous win at Ferrari's home race in Italy.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris looked set to squabble for the lead in the closing stages but Leclerc pulled off a superb one-stop strategy to claim his second victory in Monza.

Piastri finished second, with Norris, left to rue a poor opening lap, third. Carlos Sainz took fourth, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen started seventh and improved by just one position with Norris, who took a bonus point for the fastest lap, reducing the Dutch driver’s championship lead from 70 points to 60 with eight races remaining.

Norris has never led a lap after starting from pole, and his miserable run continued at the Temple of Speed. Norris’ initial getaway was good, moving over to his right to defend the inside line from Piastri on the 200mph drag to the Variante del Rettifilo. However, his work unravelled when a scrappy exit from the opening chicane afforded Piastri a tow on the exit of the Curva Grande.

Norris was exposed and Piastri did not need a second invitation to plant his McLaren around the outside of his teammate at the ensuing Variante della Roggia. The Australian made the move stick and a rattled Norris slid through the chicane with Leclerc ready to pounce. The Monegasque driver swooped underneath Norris on the run to first Lesmo and suddenly the McLaren man was third.