• Norris finishes second to give McLaren a one-two at Monza; Bottas is third

Daniel Ricciardo won the Formula One Italian Grand Prix yesterday as the Australian took advantage of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s dramatic crash which eliminated both championship rivals.
Ricciardo was followed by his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the British team’s first win since the 2012 Brazilian GP, while Valtteri Bottas inherited third, despite starting in last place, due to a five-second time penalty for Sergio Perez.
Red Bull’s Verstappen still leads seven-time world champion Hamilton by five points at the top of the drivers’ standings as they both finished in the gravel following their crash halfway through the race.
Ricciardo, whose father is from Italy, was delighted with not only his first win since Monaco in 2018 but also McLaren’s first one-two finish in 11 years, greeting the fans in Italian with a huge smile on his face.
“To lead literally from start to finish, I don’t think any of us expected that. There was something in me on Friday, I knew something good was to come,” said Ricciardo.
“To not only win but to get a one-two, it’s insane. For McLaren to be on the podium it’s huge, let alone one-two... For once I’m lost for words.”
The 32-year-old promised “total attack” after starting second on the grid and capitalised on the most dramatic moment of an eventful race when Hamilton re-entered the Monza track from the pit lane.
Verstappen tried to dart past Hamilton just after the Briton’s pit stop but ended up with his back wheel rolling over the top of his rival’s Mercedes, narrowly missing Hamilton’s head.
Both drivers then slid into the gravel and were forced to retire from the race, which Hamilton was hoping to make his 100th Grand Prix victory.

‘Awesome weekend’
Ricciardo then powered to victory backed up by his teammate Norris who was also in good spirits after an impressive second-placed finish.
“We’ve had a pretty awesome weekend,” the British driver said.
“We’ve been working towards this and we got a one-two finally. I’m happy for of course Daniel for getting the win.”
With the title-chasing duo gone and chaos on the track, Hamilton’s teammate Bottas, who will join Alfa Romeo next season, completed a hugely impressive weekend by finishing fourth, promoted to third after Perez’s penalty.
He had started at the back of the grid despite winning Saturday’s sprint race as punishment for taking on power unit components in qualifying on Friday.
“Starting from the back, it’s never easy,” said Bottas. “I’m glad we get more points than Red Bull, we maximised and from my side, it was good fun.”

ITALIAN GP RESULTS (top 10)
1. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren)1:21:54.367
2. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)+1.747
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes)+4.921
4. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)+7.309
5. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull)+8.723
6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari)+10.535
7. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)+15.804
8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine)+17.201
9. George Russell (GBR/Williams)+19.742
10. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine)+20.868

Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren)+1:24.812

Drivers’ standings (top 3)
1. Max Verstappen (NED)226.5 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR)221.5
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN)141

Constructors’ standings (top 3)
1. Mercedes362.5 pts
2. Red Bull344.5
3. McLaren215