Verstappen gives lead to Norris to avoid penalty, but gets it back with daring move

15:14, 07 Sep

Updated: 15:18, 07 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

The Italian Grand started with Max Verstappen on pole, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in P2 and P3 behind him, as when lining up on the grid, Nico Hulkenberg was told to box to retire the car.

As the lights went out, Verstappen pushed Norris wide onto the grass, and with the Brit maintaining his MCL39 on the inside into the first chicane, Verstappen cut the corner and retained the lead.

Further back, Charles Leclerc went for a move on Piastri and got P3, which the Aussie driver would negate with a daring move around the outside of the first Lesmo corner.

Verstappen regains the lead and Hamilton negates penalty in 6 laps

Leclerc would get P3 back the following lap, with Verstappen making a risky overtake attempt around the outside of Turn 1 on lap 3, completing the move and retaking the lead of the race.

Piastri then was able to mimick Verstappen's move on Norris and took back P3 from the Monegasque Ferrari driver.

Within the first six laps, Hamilton had overtaken four to claw his way back closer to the position he qualified in, P5, having started P10 due to his Dutch GP penalty which was carried over into the Italian Grand Prix. At the moment he's in P6, behind George Russell.

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