Max Verstappen claims dominant victory at Italian Grand Prix for 1st win since May

MONZA, Italy (AP) — Max Verstappen claimed a dominant victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of McLaren's title contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, after a dramatic start and end to the race at Monza.

It was a first win since May for Verstappen – and only his third of the season — and capped a memorable weekend at Monza for Red Bull's four-time world champion, who had posted the fastest lap in Formula 1 history at the track on Saturday to claim pole position.

“That was unbelievable guys! Well done everyone,” Verstappen said on team radio. "We executed that really well. What an unbelievable weekend. We can be really proud of that.”

Norris was second, nearly 20 seconds behind Verstappen, to trim the gap to Piastri in the title race to 31 points, with eight races remaining. He had started the day 34 points behind the Australian driver, who was not happy after he was ordered to let his teammate past toward the end of the race.

The switch came after Norris had a slow pit stop, which appeared to put his title chances further in jeopardy when he came out behind his teammate but McLaren ordered Piastri to let the British driver past, which he did despite grumbling about the decision on team radio.

“I felt like I was there for quite a long time,” Norris said. “Every now and then we make mistakes as a team and this was one of them.”

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had solid performances at the team's home race. Cheered on by the passionate, red-clad tifosi, Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton surged through the field at the start to cross the line in sixth — after starting from 10th following a five-place grid penalty.

Norris was desperate to rebound from a disastrous Dutch GP where he retired with a rare engine problem. Starting from second at Monza, he tussled with Verstappen from the start and was forced off into the grass at the first corner.

“I always know it is going to be a good fight with Max and it was,” Norris said. “One of those weekends where we are a bit slower but a good fight and I enjoyed it.”

Verstappen was told to give the place back and duly did so but the Red Bull driver reclaimed the lead at the start of lap four, diving past Norris into turn one.

From there, it was almost a procession to victory for Verstappen.

“It was a great day for us. Of course lap 1 was a bit unlucky, but after that we were flying and that was for me really enjoyable," said Verstappen, who is third in the standings but 94 points behind Piastri and will almost certainly see his run of four straight titles ended this year.

“Fantastic execution by everyone from the whole team. I think the whole weekend we were on it and it’s super enjoyable to win here ... We’ll go step by step, race by race, but for us this of course was an unbelievable weekend.”

Verstappen briefly found himself behind the McLarens after pitting on lap 38 but retook the lead when Piastri was brought in on lap 46, followed by Norris a lap later.

“We went so long so the soft tires seemed like a good tire to put on," Piastri said. "We were staying out for safety cars if we got any. A little incident at the end but it’s okay.”

Hamilton was just behind his former Mercedes teammate George Russell, with Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar rounding out the top 10.

Antonelli had crossed the line in eighth but the Italian teenager dropped a place because of a five-second penalty for contact with Albon.

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium after winning the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, overtakes McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to win the Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (Marco Bertorello/Pool Photo via AP)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the third free practice ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, centre, celebrates his pole position with McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia after the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates his pole position after the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Carter Hart made 31 saves and the Vegas Golden Knights tightened the Pacific Division race, beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday night to remain perfect in John Tortorella's first three games as coach.

Vegas moved a point back of Edmonton and Anaheim for the division lead, snapping the Oilers' season-best, five-game winning streak.

Brett Howden and Jeremy Lauzon each had a goal and an assist, Colton Sissons, Mark Stone and Rasmus Andersson also scored and Jack Eichel had three assists.

Evan Bouchard scored for Edmonton, and Connor Ingram made 28 saves.

Hart was activated off injured reserve and backstopped Vegas to a 6-3 home victory over Calgary on Thursday night. He had been out since injuring his left leg Jan. 8 against Columbus.

Tortorella, who replaced the fired Bruce Cassidy, coached Hart in Philadelphia from 2022-24.

Golden Knights: At Vancouver on Tuesday night.

Oilers: At Utah on Tuesday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights' Shea Theodore (27) and Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) battle for the puck as Golden Knight's goalie Carter Hart (79) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights' Ivan Barbashev (49), Mark Stone (61) and Noah Hanifin (15) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights' Rasmus Andersson (4) roughs it up with Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) and Matt Savoie (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights' Ivan Barbashev (49) and Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse (25) look for the rebound from goalie Connor Ingram (39) during first period NHL action, in Edmonton on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)