Sainz orchestrated a flawless race, leading from the moment the lights went out to the waving of the checkered flag. With precise race management, he clinched his second Formula 1 career win, edging out Lando Norris by an incredibly close 0.812 seconds.
The climax of the race took an intriguing turn when Mercedes decided to pit both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for fresh tires under a Virtual Safety Car with 18 laps remaining.
However, Sainz played a pivotal role in helping his former McLaren teammate, Norris, fend off the Mercedes duo by utilizing DRS strategically. The grandstand finish included Russell’s last-lap crash as he attempted a final push to catch Norris, ultimately allowing Hamilton to secure the third spot on the podium.
Sainz was ecstatic about his victory and expressed gratitude to the entire Ferrari team. Their concerted efforts and determination paid off, marking a significant turnaround after a challenging start to the season. This triumph is sure to fill the hearts of Ferrari fans and the entire nation of Italy with pride.
Meanwhile, Red Bull and Max Verstappen saw their record-setting winning streaks come to an end. Verstappen, starting from the 11th position on the grid, finished the race in fifth place. He was behind Charles Leclerc, who piloted the second Ferrari but lost ground during pit stops following an early Safety Car period.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly claimed the sixth position, while Oscar Piastri staged a brilliant comeback from 17th on the grid to secure seventh place. Sergio Perez, driving for Red Bull, finished eighth, and Liam Lawson earned his maiden Formula 1 points by finishing ninth.
The top ten was rounded off by Kevin Magnussen, who secured the final points-scoring position for Haas.
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