MAX VERSTAPPEN is closing in on the Championship after winning the Italian Grand Prix for the first time.
The Dutchman can now secure the defence of his title with victory in the next F1 race in Singapore in three weeks.
Ferrari star Charles Leclerc finished in second place to loud cheers
- Grand Prix: 2pm
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: Now TV
Keep up to date with all the action from Monza below…
On to Singapore
With the Russian GP cancelled, all eyes are on Singapore on the 2nd of October, to see if Max Verstappen can become world champions for the 2nd consecutive year.
Heartbreak for Ricciardo
In what looked set to be a return for points for Ricciardo, the late retirement saw his day turn into another nightmare at Mclaren.
When will things get better for one of the paddock’s most popular drivers?
De Vries driver of the day
Fully deserved after an excellent debut race!
Title could be secured next race
With the lead Verstappen has opened up, the title could be secured as soon as next race if things go his way.
Boos for Verstappen
Clearly disgruntled Italian fans hardly give Verstappen a warm welcome to the podium, but he wont care as the Dutch national anthem plays again.
All smiles in the cooldown room
Some nice moments between the top three, as they watch the highlights of the race together in the cooldown room.
Leclerc frustrated at race end
In his post-race interview with Sky Sports, the Ferrari driver expressed his frustration that he couldn’t push for the win at the end.
Verstappen’s dominance continues
Despite starting in 7th, it took him just a couple of laps to be pushing for the lead again, and before the safety car was cruising to a win at Monza.
It’s his first podium at this track.
Fantastic debut for De Vries
What a performance by the Dutchman on debut!
He finishes P9 on his first appearance in F1, what a weekend for him!
Leclerc and Russell complete the podium
We could’ve been in for a grandstand finish, but Leclerc will have to settle for 2nd in his home race.
Russell will be perhaps thankful for the safety car, as Sainz was gaining on the Englishman at some rate.
Verstappen wins the Italian GP!
Despite the late safety car, it was a dominant win for Verstappen from 7th on the grid!
Boos ring out around Monza but it’s now 30 career wins for the Dutchman!
Lap 53/53 – Disappointed Ferrari fans
Leclerc is not happy over the radio as he’s told the race will finish under the safety car, and he will finish second.
Lap 51/53 – Disappointing end in store
Looks like we could be finishing under a safety car here…
Lap 50/53 – Safety car staying for now
The Mclaren car is going to take some moving, will we see any more racing laps?
Lap 49/53 – Verstappen and Leclerc pit
The pair now stop and retain position, however the quartet could be close if we do restart.
Lap 48/53 – Massive chance for Russell!
Russell and Sainz pit where as Verstappen and Leclerc don’t.
Could there be a push on here from the pair?
Lap 47/53 – Ricciardo out!
Heartbreak for last years winner, who was on for points today.
He is forced to stop and Verstappen stays out, will we need a safety car?
Lap 45/53 – Sainz catching Russell
It could be a grandstand finish for the final podium place.
Sainz just lapped 1.5 seconds quicker than Russell, and has just over nine seconds to make up on the Mercedes in third.
Lap 43/53 – Perez pits late
Hamilton was catching Perez into 5th, so he pits for softs and comes out in 7th.
Lap 42/53 – Lovely overtake from Schumacher
A great overtake from Schumacher takes him past Latifi, with the pair enjoying a great battle throughout the lap.
Lap 41/53 – Stroll retires
The afternoon gets even worse for Aston Martin, as it’s a double DNF for them.
Lap 40/53 – De Vries holding on to a point
The Dutchman has enjoyed a stellar debut race today, and he is currently holding onto 10th and a points finish.
Lap 38/53 – Hamilton into sixth
A comfortable overtake from the Mercedes to go past Ricciardo into sixth.
A fastest lap for Leclerc as he begins his push for the leader.
Lap 36/53 – Mammoth task for Leclerc
Leclerc needs to be a second quicker each lap if he’s to beat Verstappen.
A 5.1 second stop for Norris sees him fall behind Gasly and Hamilton into 9th.
Lap 34/53 – Hamilton pits into DRS train
Not an ideal place for Hamilton to come out, as he joins a six car DRS train in 12th.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
