Sunday Debrief: Verstappen’s in a league of his own with record breaking 10th consecutive win

F1 goes into the final European race of the season at the temple of speed in Monza. Max Verstappen proves how ‘records are made to be broken’, with 10th consecutive race win. Verstappen’s not the only one to make history with Red Bull becoming the first team to win 15 consecutive races, a 1-2 for Red Bull as Perez claims P2 in the final stages of the race. Carlos Sainz completed the podium to the delight of the Tifosi.

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Carlos Sainz took pole position for Sunday’s race, the Ferrari’s demonstrating good pace over the weekend with Sainz leading both FP2 and FP3. Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari lined up in P3, between them the reigning World Champion Max Verstappen in P2.

It was another impressive qualifying session for Alex Albon, who continues his impressive season by getting his Williams into Q3, to qualify in P6. Another disappointed start for Lewis Hamilton only qualifying in P9, Mercedes announcing this weekend that they have extended the contact for both drivers up to 2025, his teammate qualifying on the second row in P4. Hamilton was one of three drivers to start the race on Hard tyres, the rest of the grid opting for a set of Mediums.

The race start was delayed by 20 minutes after the formation lap, where Tsunoda was forced to retire and park his car on the side of the track due to a engine failure in the back of his Alphatauri.. the race was aborted with a second formation lap before the scars lined up on the grid again with mechanics flooding the grid to keep the cars ready for the 5 lights.

With the race finally going ahead, Sainz brilliantly blocked Verstappen going into turn 1, Sainz doing well to keep the bull behind up until lap 15, when Verstappen made his way in front after a costly lock up from Sainz. Not long after on Lap 16 Perez in the other Red Bull made his way past George Russell and up into P4.

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Sainz was the first of the top runners to come into the pits on lap 20 for a set of Hard tyres, coming back onto the grid in P9. Russell followed Sainz into the pits re-joining in P11. A lap later Verstappen and Leclerc came into the pits with Perez becoming the third race leader of the race, both drivers returning to the grid in P6 and P7 respectively. Carlos Sainz was quick to clear his teammate as he got pass Leclerc going into the first chicane. Perez race lead shortly came to an end as he entered the pits on Lap 22, Piastri inheriting the lead of the race. Perez coming out just behind the two Ferrari’s but ahead of George Russell.

Norris now stuck behind his teammate in P2 came into the pits on Lap 23 to re-join the track in P11, Piastri following a lap later coming back out behind his teammate. Hamilton becoming the new race leader for a few corners before he was hunted down by Verstappen to take the lead before the pair went into turn 1. Both Ferrari’s following the steps of the Bull, clearing Hamilton on Lap 27. Hamilton quickly coming into the pits on Lap 28 for a set of Mediums, the last driver to make their first pit stop.

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Russell was the first of three 5-second penalties for leaving and gaining an advantage in an incident with Esteban Ocon. The second penalty going to his teammate, after he closed in on the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, forcing both drivers to go off onto the runoff area. Piastri picking up damage and returning to the pits for new tyres and front wing. Hamilton staying out with no significant damage and was able to pick up places, moving up into P6 after passing Norris and Albon. Sargeant was the final driver to be noted with a 5 second penalty for causing a collision with Bottas.

Sainz in P2 with all his attempts to hold off Perez, finally lost the position after locking up into turn 1 on Lap 46. Ferrari now seeing how their battle is no longer with the Bull’s but with each other, the pair battling it out till the chequered flag, coming close on multiple occasions. Leclerc getting ahead of Sainz on Lap 47, Sainz quick to act and take back P3. The fight between the Ferrari drivers didn’t end there with the pair nearly coming together on the final lap, Leclerc desperate to get ahead of his teammate but unable to make the move. Sainz beating Leclerc to the line by 0.184 seconds.

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Verstappen crossed the line to extend his championship lead by 25 points, Perez trailing behind by 6 seconds for a Red Bull 1-2. The Tifosi roared with joy as their driver stepped onto the podium, Sainz rounding of the podium with a remarkable drive, which landed him the fans driver of the day.

Neither Mercedes’ drivers were affected by the penalties with Hamilton finishing over 6 seconds ahead of Albon and Russell finishing over 19 seconds ahead of his teammate. Russell and Hamilton holding onto their final position of P5 and P6 respectively.