Carlos Sainz holds on to 'very tough' P3 to give Ferarri a home race podium

Pole-sitter Carlos Sainz battled throughout the Italian Grand Prix to finish P3 in a feisty and competitive Italian Grand Prix.

Sainz holds on after super start

Around the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the Spaniard was cheered on by the passionate Tifosi throughout the race after starting on the pole. He started very well, keeping eventual race winner Max Verstappen behind in the opening laps.

However, the RB19 showed its class against the Ferarri car, and both Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez were able to find their way through.

"Very tough, it can't get tougher than what it was today," said Sainz. "I was pushing the whole race very hard to keep the Red Bulls behind. That made me use the rear tyres a lot, and in the end, I paid the price, but I did everything I could to defend the tyres."

With Sainz's losing his tyres towards the race's end, he came under pressure from his teammate Charles Leclerc. Team boss Fred Vasseur allowed them both to race at their home event, creating an exciting battle for the final podium spot in the last few laps, which Sainz held on to as he kept Leclerc behind him.

"Hard racing [with Leclerc], it is a pleasure to race him when we get the chance. He is a great racer, the same as Max and Checo. We had fun out there today."

"I think we need to keep working on our pace and tyre understanding. We were wearing them a bit more. But it is a big step forward compared to Zandvoort, and we've been the best of the rest this weekend, which is a good result given the circumstances."