Daniel Ricciardo performed an excellent drive to take McLaren’s first race win since Brazil in 2012, 3213 days ago. Teammate Lando Norris secured 2nd place to make it a 1-2 for the team for the first time since Canada 2010.
Valtteri Bottas completed the podium places in a sensational recovery drive after starting at the back of the grid. Sergio Perez crossed the finish line in 3rd but a five-second-time penalty saw the Mexican drop to 5th place.
Hamilton and Verstappen Clash
Ricciardo’s 8th career win will be overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The World Championship protagonists came together on lap 26. A woeful pit stop for Verstappen and Red Bull (11.1 seconds) saw him drop down the grid when re-joining. So much that, a slower than normal pit stop for Hamilton still saw him jump Verstappen as they entered turn one.
After going around the outside of Hamilton at turn one, Verstappen tried to send it up the inside of Hamilton. The gap wasn’t there and sent Verstappen over a sausage curb and onto the top of the Mercedes car, sending them both into the gravel. Hamilton’s first DNF since Austria 2018.
The advances in safety for drivers was crucial, with it appearing that Verstappen’s rear tyre was on Hamilton’s helmet. Thankfully both drivers walked away unharmed.
Mercedes looked like they had played a blinder in strategy! Lewis was the only car in the top 16 on hard tyres, the rest on mediums. It all seemed to be going to plan for the Seven-Time-World Champion with the race win on the cards before the crash.
The Start
An incredible start to the race for Ricciardo saw him pass Verstappen at turn one. It looked like Hamilton had passed Norris and Verstappen for 2nd, before the latter pushed him wide a few corners later which caused him to drop back to 4th.
You never win a race on corner one; however, it almost seemed that way for Ricciardo and McLaren. Before the poor pit stop and collision, Verstappen in 2nd was unable to get close enough to the ‘Honey Badger’ to make a move and take the lead.
Monza never seems to disappoint, with another action-packed race. Ending with a ‘shoey’ for Ricciardo, a sight all in F1 love to see for one of the most likable drivers on the grid. It was great to see Norris and McLaren CEO Zak Brown get in on the action with Ricciardo!
Final Classification
- Ricciardo (+1 Championship Point for fastest lap)
- Norris
- Bottas
- Leclerc
- Perez
- Sainz
- Stroll
- Alonso
- Russell
- Ocon
- Latifi
- Vettel
- Giovinazzi
- Kubica
- Schumacher
Mazepin (DNF)
Hamilton (DNF)
Verstappen (DNF)
Gasly (DNF)
Tsunoda (DNF)
The incident with Hamilton and Verstappen will be investigated after the race by the stewards.
Let us know what you made of the race!
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