Three drivers who starred at the Italian Grand Prix including 38-point racer who made up nine positions

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The Italian Grand Prix was a surprise victory for Max Verstappen and Red Bull, considering it was the team’s worst track in 2024.

The Dutchman dominated the Italian GP by producing the fastest race in the history of F1, beating the previous record that was held in 2003.

McLaren was embroiled in a team orders controversy between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, after the team prioritised the championship leader in the pits, causing Norris to lose position.

Although they swapped the places back, it raised questions over why McLaren decided to change their pit strategy in the first place.

Behind the front-runners, there were also a few drivers whose performances went under the radar, with several making use of the Monza slipstreams to improve their qualifying positions.

Lewis Hamilton – Gained four places

Lewis Hamilton was desperate to make up places in the Italian Grand Prix following his DNF at Zandvoort and subsequent grid penalty.

The seven-time world champion didn’t disappoint in front of the Tifosi, climbing up to sixth place by passing cars at the start of the race and making use of his Ferrari’s straight line speed later by passing Alex Albon.

Hamilton said the Ferrari support was ‘unbelievable’ at Monza, even though he wasn’t able to stand on the famous podium for the Tifosi.

Alex Albon – Gained seven places

Albon’s race was another strategic masterclass from Williams after his disappointing Q2 exit on the Saturday.

Williams split their drivers’ strategies and put Albon on the hard tyre for the start, running a longer opening stint which saw him climb to as high as fifth place at times and fighting with Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The late pit stop enabled Albon to emerge in the top 10, finishing as the lead midfield car in seventh place and climbing seven places from where he qualified.

“We had a fantastic strategy and great car pace. I think when you have the two together, you’re going to have a good time with it,” said Albon in Williams’ press release.

“I’d say it was one of the best Sundays, balance-wise, I’ve had all year. In many parts of the race we were just as quick as the top teams, so it was a great comeback from a tough qualifying.”

Isack Hadjar – Gained nine places

The biggest mover of the Italian GP was Zandvoort hero Isack Hadjar, who gained nine places when he finished in tenth place.

Hadjar was disappointed with qualifying and accused Sainz of playing games as it held him up in Q1, but in the race, he used that frustration to climb up the order and get close to the top ten.

A collision between Sainz and Oliver Bearman would provide him with the fortune he needed to finish inside of the top ten, with the Racing Bulls star adding another performance to a growing list of impressive drives in his rookie season.

“I really enjoyed it; the car was fast out there, and our team’s strategy was well executed, complemented by a strong pace throughout the whole race,” said Hadjar in the official RB press release.