Lando Norris blows huge chance to close lead on Max Verstappen as Brit chokes pole position once again
LANDO NORRIS choked again at the start of the Italian Grand Prix to put a major dent in his title hopes.
Charles Leclerc roared “Mamma Mia!” as he tasted victory in the home of the Ferrari faithful with his second win of the season.
It was the same old story for Norris though who started in pole position but failed to finish the opening lap in first-place for the fourth time this season.
Oscar Piastri left his McLaren team-mate for dust by passing the pole-sitter on the opening lap by the second chicane.
The Australian driver was relentless throughout and finished in second while Norris nipped into third with five laps to go ahead of fourth-place Carlos Sainz.
Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fifth while Max Verstappen stretched his winless streak to six races – his worst run of form since 2020.
It was a disastrous start for George Russell who veered off the track in his Mercedes and into the run-off area, leaving him in seventh despite starting in third.
The British driver was left with a damaged wing which forced him to pit on lap 11 for a new front-wing and a fresh set of tyres.
The pressure was clearly getting to Norris who hit a BOLLARD on his way into the pit lane on lap 15 as he tried to slow down.
Title rivals Verstappen and Norris began an epic battle for fourth as the Dutchman coolly held off the McLaren driver on lap 40.
But Norris hit back strongly and eased past the Red Bull driver on the main straight just one lap later.
To the delight of the Monza fans it was a Ferrari one-two from lap 39 until lap 48 with Leclerc nine seconds clear in front.
The McLaren drivers weren’t going out without a fight though and Norris passed Sainz on the second attempt.
Piastri was snapping at Leclerc’s heels on fresher tyres but the six-second gap between them with two laps to go felt like a stretch before Leclerc crossed the line.