Leclerc wins at Monza after McLaren strategic failure

Charles Leclerc took the victory at the Italian Grand Prix, securing a much-anticipated win for Ferrari at their home track in Monza. This victory came after McLaren opted for a two-stop strategy, which did not yield the expected results, allowing Leclerc to maintain his advantage to the finish line.

The Monegasque Ferrari driver, who used a one-stop strategy, had to fend off Oscar Piastri, who had fresher tires thanks to the two-stop strategy. Despite the pressure, Leclerc crossed the finish line with a 2.884-second lead, igniting joy among the fans in the stands.

McLaren Misses Their Opportunity

From pole position, Lando Norris of McLaren had a strong start, managing to defend against his teammate Oscar Piastri. However, an overtaking attempt by Piastri at the Variante della Roggia put Norris off line, allowing Leclerc to capitalize and move ahead.

As the race progressed, it became clear that tire wear would push most teams towards a two-stop strategy, which McLaren adopted with early stops. Although Leclerc initially lost positions, he managed to maintain consistent tire performance, which was crucial for his victory.

Piastri Fails to Catch Leclerc

Oscar Piastri, who attempted to follow a one-stop strategy, ultimately conceded, allowing Leclerc to take the lead. Despite a late effort, where he reduced an 11.9-second gap to 2.7 seconds in just nine laps, it was not enough to surpass the Ferrari driver.

Norris Completes the Podium

Lando Norris finished in third place, recovering from the first lap incident. Although he was given permission to race his teammate, he could not get close enough to Piastri due to interference from Max Verstappen, who was also running a different strategy to support his championship campaign.

Sainz and Hamilton Close Out the Top 5

Carlos Sainz, who tried to keep Piastri behind for several laps to help his teammate, finished in fourth place, followed by Lewis Hamilton in fifth. Hamilton managed to fend off an early attack from Verstappen, who had a disappointing performance after a slow stop.