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Charles Leclerc and Ferrari reclaimed their dominance at Monza, gifting Italian fans a historic victory with a one-stop strategy that left McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris struggling. The Monegasque masterfully managed his tires in the final laps, fending off Piastri’s attacks and crossing the finish line in first place, while Sainz finished fourth and Verstappen limited the damage by coming in sixth.
After a race largely controlled by McLaren, the turning point came with a bold decision from Ferrari’s pit wall: to skip the second stop, relying on tire management and Leclerc’s tenacity. In the closing laps, Leclerc held off Piastri’s charge, putting Ferrari back on the top step of the podium at Monza, a circuit known for its surprises. For Leclerc, it marked his second Italian Grand Prix win after his 2019 triumph, adding to his victory in Monte Carlo earlier this year and making 2024 a special season for both the driver and the team.
McLaren, starting with both cars on the front row, was the big loser of the day. Despite leading most of the race, the British team lost the advantage due to Ferrari’s more daring strategy. Norris, who finished third, failed to capitalize on his pole position, while Piastri saw a seemingly certain victory slip away. The pit stop strategy made all the difference, with Ferrari seizing the key moments to turn the race in their favor.
Among the disappointed was George Russell of Mercedes, who found himself at the back after a first-lap error, leaving the fight to Ferrari and McLaren. Verstappen, finishing sixth, minimized his losses thanks to strategic mistakes by his rivals, but the reigning champion was never truly in contention for the win. The result highlights Red Bull’s recent struggles, capped by a problematic pit stop that further complicated the Dutchman’s race.
