Max Verstappen Breaks Ferrari Hearts To Become 1st To Win 10 F1 Races

Max Verstappen overcame the sternest test of this season by defeating a valiant defence from Carlos Sainz Jr in a Ferrari that was lightning fast on the straights of its home race at the iconic Monza. The Red Bull man became the first driver to win 10 F1 races on the trot, breaking the record of Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Ascari, who also has a corner named after him at Monza.

His teammate Sergio Perez also eventually overcame Carlos Sainz Jr in the dying stages of the race. Sainz put up a spirited defence against the mighty Red Bull RB19 which was not only rapid on the straights of Monza but also had vastly superior tyre life. He eventually had to settle for P3 but even for that he had to fight tooth and nail against his own teammate Charles Leclerc who tailed Sainz for much of the race.

Behind the duo was the Mercedes of George Russell who also managed to finish ahead of 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who recently re-signed with the team till 2025. Alex Albon performed valiantly for Williams and brought it home to P7. Lando Norris was the lead McLaren in P8.

Fernando Alonso had a very quiet race in P9 for Aston Martin, which clearly doesn’t like tracks that need lower downforce. He was tailed by Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo which finished in the points at its home race. Logan Sargent did well to bring the second Williams home in P11, just outside the points.

Oscar Piastri was looking racy and at one point was on for points but a collision with Lewis Hamilton forced a long pit stop to change the wing. He fell back despite Hamilton being penalised with a 5 second penalty. Liam Lawson was the only finishing AlphaTauri in P13. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda had his engine blow up on the formation lap, delaying the race start and reducing it by 2 laps overall.

Lance Stroll limped home in P14 for Aston Martin after a forgettable weekend. Guanyu Zhou’s Alfa Romeo managed P15. Pierre Gasly was the only finishing Alpine in P16 after his teammate Esteban Ocon retired. The Haas duo of Hulkenberg and Magnussen finished P17 and P18.

Result:

1. Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing

2. Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +6.802

3. Carlos SAINZ Ferrari +11.082

4. Charles LECLERC Ferrari +11.508

5. George RUSSELL Mercedes +18.294

6. Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +38.903

7. Alexander ALBON Williams +45.080

8. Lando NORRIS McLaren +45.212

9. Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin +46.370

10. Valtteri BOTTAS Alfa Romeo +64.764

11. Logan SARGEANT Williams +70.573

12. Oscar PIASTRI McLaren +71.480

13. Liam LAWSON AlphaTauri +71.772

14. Lance STROLL Aston Martin +81.387

15. Guanyu ZHOU Alfa Romeo +83.016

16. Pierre GASLY Alpine +83.017

17. Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +1 lap

18. Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +1 lap

Did Not Finish:

Esteban Ocon Alpine

Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri