Leclerc's Stunning Italian GP Triumph: Ferrari's Bold Strategy Pays Off

Charles Leclerc secured a sensational victory for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix, outpacing McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Ferrari's strategic decisions and Leclerc's driving skills played crucial roles, leading to euphoric celebrations. McLaren missed a chance to top the championship, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished sixth.

Charles Leclerc triggered wild Ferrari celebrations with a surprise home Italian Grand Prix victory on Sunday as favourites McLaren let slip a chance to go top in the Formula One championship. The Monegasque finished 2.664 seconds ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who had seized the lead on lap one from team mate and title contender Lando Norris, as Ferrari made a bold strategy decision and reaped the rewards.

Norris ended up third after starting from pole position at Monza's super-fast circuit and is now 62 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who finished only sixth, with eight races remaining. Leclerc succeeded by making just one pitstop, to McLaren's two, and nursing a set of hard tyres for 38 of the 53 laps as he hung on for victory.

'Mamma Mia, Mamma Mia,' he screamed over the team radio as former Italy soccer player Alessandro Del Piero waved the chequered flag. 'It's an incredible feeling,' Leclerc said before the podium celebrations and traditional track invasion by an army of fans swamping the pit straight with a tidal wave of red shirts and flags.

(With inputs from agencies.)