The Italian Grand Prix promised a thoroughly upset order of power compared to previous races, a reversal of the standings of the World Constructors' Championship, and an exciting race.
Lando Norris got off to a great start, but Oscar Piastri attacked him with incredible vehemence and took over the lead after three corners. In fact, during the “fight” between the two, even Charles Leclerc got into a position, so much so that he even took advantage of George Russell’s mistake and climbed all the way to second position. Piastri built up a one-second lead by the third lap, while George Russell and Nico Hülkenberg did not get through the start without a fight. The latter had to stop early for a new nose cone… Yuki Tsunoda did not fare so well, as he was forced to retire from the race due to a collision with his teammate.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, having improved a position or two, languished in sixth place, but the rest of the field also seemed to stiffen. We reached the first pit stop, which turned out to probably not be the only one. Much more important was that Norris was able to bewitch Leclerc with good tactics, which meant that there was once again an open battle for victory between the two McLaren drivers. That is, it would have been, because Piastri still maintained his massive advantage of over two seconds. In fact, he quickly doubled it… McLaren didn't need any more, they brought Norris back in, thanks to the pit stop, Leclerc could follow Piastri.
This then turned around in the last third of the race, Leclerc was left with one pit stop, while Piastri was brought in for a second time, similar to Norris. Thus, the chaser turned into the chaser, and the two big tactics of the weekend were in tension with each other. Who would be the winner? With three laps to go, it began to become clear that the “impossible” could indeed happen, that is, whether Scuderia Ferrari would be able to win a race in its own country. It came together! With great tactics, stable racing and tire management, Charles Leclerc did it, and to a huge surprise, he won the Italian Grand Prix ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. This also required the “paralysis” of McLaren, and the slower pace of Mercedes and Red Bull, but there are no “ifs” in motorsport.
