Charles Leclerc committed to a one-stop in Monza and then held off the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, winning the Italian Grand Prix for Scuderia Ferrari.
In one of the more surprising wins of the ongoing Formula 1 seasons, Charles Leclerc has won at Monza for the second time in his career.
Leclerc committed to a one-stop race Sunday (PHL time), managing to hold on to win the Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari much to the delight of the Tifosi present.
In a race where their rivals resorted to two-stoppers, Ferrari chose to zag as others zigged, with Leclerc and Carlos Sainz sticking to the one stop on their hard tyres.
The decision proved to be crucial with Leclerc holding off the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for the win. Norris and Piastri started the Grand Prix on a 1-2 lock up.
The victory was Leclerc’s second at Monza, following his 2019 victory for Ferrari. It’s also Charles’ second win this season after his home conquest in Monaco.
Leclerc thus joined world championship leader Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Norris as the drivers to win multiple Grand Prix this year.
Piastri and Norris finished P2 and P3, respectively, while Carlos Sainz ended up P4 for Ferrari.
The Red Bull pair of Verstappen and Sergio Perez were P6 and P8, which now open the door for Ferrari in the Constructors' championship. Red Bull still lead McLaren and Ferrari, but the three teams are now only separated by 39 points with eight Grand Prix still to go.