Italian Grand Prix result: Charles Leclerc holds off Lewis Hamilton to clinch victory at Monza
Relive all the action as the thrilling race unfolded at Monza
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Charles Leclerc survived an onslaught from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to win a thrilling Italian Grand Prix.
Hamilton hustled Leclerc during a remarkable spell of wheel-to-wheel action at Monza - but the young Monegasque excelled to keep the world champion at bay and register his second win in as many weeks and Ferrari's first on home soil in nine years.
With 11 laps remaining, Hamilton then made a mistake at the first corner in his pursuit of Leclerc, falling off the road and allowing Bottas to take second.
On fresher tyres, Bottas took over from Hamilton in his pursuit of Leclerc but crossed the line just eight-tenths shy of the Ferrari star.
In contrast to Leclerc's heroics at the Cathedral of Speed, Sebastian Vettel endured yet another torrid afternoon in the sister Ferrari.
The four-time world champion took the chequered flag a dismal 13th and one lap down after a spin at the Ascari chicane on lap six.
Vettel had to stop for a new front wing after he clumsily collided with Lance Stroll in his attempt to rejoin the track following his mistake. He was hit with a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for his part in the incident.
Hamilton's late error allowed Bottas to reduce the championship deficit to 63 points with seven rounds left. Review all the action:
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
14/53: Here's how they stand at the moment:
1) Leclerc
2) Hamilton +1.361
3) Bottas +2.668
4) Ricciardo +13.260
5) Hulkenberg +15.172
6) Sainz +18.250
15/53: 'I'm losing power' says Max Verstappen over the radio. I've confirmed with my colleague and, yes, that's not great news. The same old issues coming back to haunt the Dutchman.
16/53: Another update. Hearing that Kimi Raikkonen is now under investigation for starting the race on the wrong tyres...
17/53: Lance Stroll has also been penalised for his part in the Sebastian Vettel chaos. The Canadian is handed a drive-through penalty after sending Pierre Gasly off the track following his attempts to rejoin.
18/53: With Vettel out of the picture, it's a two against one as Hamilton and Bottas both target leader Leclerc. He's still looking comfortable but the Mercedes pitwall will be rubbing their hands with glee. They've got plenty of different strategies to call upon.
20/53: Hamilton a tenth slower at the moment. He opts to pit and goes for the medium compound tyres.
21/53: Leclerc pits from the lead! He goes for the hards rather than mediums. This is going to be very close...
22/53: Raikkonen has been handed a 10 second stop-go penalty too for starting the race on the wrong tyres.
23/53: Hamilton is pushing hard against Leclerc. He's launching attack after attack but he can't find a way past. His latest attempt in the second chicane has just ended with him drifting into the gravel. There was no space at all to pull off the overtake.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments