The Red Bull driver is closing in on a 2nd world title after another victory in Monza on Sunday despite starting in P7.

Max Verstappen was once again victorious at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell.

The win in Monza makes it a run of three consecutive wins to close in further on the F1 world championship.

The Dutchman who made a light work of the race on Sunday is now edging closer to his second world title since the return from the summer break with him winning at Spa, Zandvoort and now Monza.

Verstappen started from P7 due to a five-place grid penalty and pipped Charles Leclerc, who started from pole, to win the Grand Prix.

Verstappen cruised to a win at the Italian GP
Verstappen cruised to a win at the Italian GP

By lap five Verstappen assumed 2nd position but it was around different strategies that he would end up taking victory here.

Ferrari brought in Leclerc to go from softs to mediums much earlier than Red Bull made the same decision with Verstappen and it was from there that the Dutchman took full advantage.

Verstappen was able to make his soft tyres last longer in the first stint, meaning he could look to pull off a one-stop strategy, while Leclerc stopped at least twice as he pitted in the second half of the race for another set of softs, having been on the mediums for longer.

Max Verstappen has won the Italian GP for his 5th straight win of the season
Max Verstappen has won the Italian GP for his 5th straight win of the season

However, a late Safety Car threatened to add a bit of spice to the closing stages, but the leaders would both pit and, with Daniel Ricciardo’s car not moved in time for any more racing laps to be held, Verstappen was able to seal victory ahead of Leclerc and Russell

2022 F1 Italian Grand Prix result

1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull

2. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari

3. George Russell – Mercedes

4. Carlos Sainz – Ferrari

5. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes

6. Sergio Perez – Red Bull

7. Lando Norris – McLaren

8. Pierre Gasly – AlphaTauri

9. Nyck de Vries – Williams

10. Guanyu Zhou – Alfa Romeo

11. Esteban Ocon – Alpine

12. Mick Schumacher – Haas

13. Valtteri Bottas – Alfa Romeo

14. Yuki Tsunoda – AlphaTauri

15. Nicholas Latifi – Williams

16. Kevin Magnussen – Haas

17. Daniel Ricciardo – McLaren

18. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin

19. Fernando Alonso – Alpine

20. Sebastian Vettel – Aston Martin

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