Verstappen Wins Italian GP As McLaren Orders Piastri To Yield Norris

Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory at the Italian Grand Prix, marking his third win of the 2025 season and his first since May, after starting from pole position and holding off McLaren's Lando Norris, who finished second. The race featured a notable intra-team drama at McLaren, where championship leader Oscar Piastri was instructed to let Norris pass following a slow pit stop for Norris, a decision Piastri reluctantly complied with, narrowing his lead over Norris in the standings to 31 points. Verstappen's win was characterized by strategic overtakes and defensive driving, including regaining the lead after being briefly passed by Norris at the start, despite a contentious moment where Norris was forced off into the grass. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth in front of Mercedes' George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from a grid penalty to finish sixth. The team orders at McLaren sparked debate, with Piastri expressing frustration but ultimately prioritizing team strategy over individual rivalry. Verstappen's dominance at Monza, including setting the fastest lap in F1 history at the track during qualifying, underscored his continued championship form this season.