Red Bull’s Max Verstappen broke a Formula 1 record with his 10th consecutive win as he overcame Ferrari’s valiant challenge at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman was held back by pole-winner Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari for 14 laps but his pressure paid off when an error from the Spaniard gave him his chance.
Sainz locked his brakes into the first chicane and that allowed Verstappen to pass the Ferrari into the second chicane at Monza.
Sainz, after forcefully holding on to second place from team-mate Charles Leclerc, was left to fend off Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez for second place.
After many laps of defence, Sainz finally lost the position with nine laps to go and then set about fighting hard again to keep Leclerc behind for the final podium place.
It was frantic at times as Sainz hung on with worn tyres, and eventually the Spaniard pleaded to his team to let him “bring it home”. Leclerc was told: “Race until the end, no risk.”
Sainz clung on with some desperate late braking moves into the first chicane, and eventually the fight was settled at the start of the final lap.
Leclerc sold the dummy to Sainz at the first chicane but the Spaniard moved to defend and Leclerc had to lock all his brakes and cut the chicane to avoid his partner. Leclerc crossed the line just 0.1secs behind.
Mercedes’ George Russell drove a steady race to take fifth, overcoming a five-second penalty for leaving the track when passing Esteban Ocon after leaving the pits.
(BBC Sport)