RACE REPORT | Verstappen dominates, Leclerc feels the pressure

Verstappen mixed-weather masterclass

Pole, every lap lead, fastest lap, race win. It was a dominant display from the reigning World Champion, who jumped away cleanly at the start and never looked back.

The Dutchman looked to be at another level compared to the rest of his competition, who pulled away from his teammate Sergio Perez, and title rival Charles Leclerc, who eventually threw his race away chasing the second Red Bull of Perez.

Verstappen ended up leading home Red Bull's first 1-2 finish since Malaysia 2016.

Leclerc throws it all away

While chasing down the second-placed Red Bul of Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc spun and ended up in the wall, damaging his front wing. It was the first time this season that Leclerc has made a mistake and it was a massive one, throwing away a guaranteed podium in front of Ferrari's Tifosi in Italy. The Monegasque ended up finishing 6th place.

Is this the last time we'll see Leclerc buckle under pressure?

Norris returns to the podium

After Leclerc's mistake sent the Ferrari into the wall, it was the Mclaren of Lando Norris who took advantage. After a great start from the Brit saw him shoot up into third place, he settled back in fourth for the rest of the race, which then turned into the last podium spot after Leclerc's mistake.

This saw Norris' and Mclaren's first podium finish since their 1-2 finish in Monza last year, coincidentally te last time out in Italy.

Sainz's struggles continue

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was looking to make an impact this weekend. After an early retirement at the last round in Australia, all Sainz needed was a calm, steay weekend, which is something the Spaniard didn't get.

In Qualifying, the Ferrari driver crashed into the wall in the Q2 session causing him to start from 10th, which he subsequently recovered to a nice P4 for the Grand Prix.

However, a first-lap, first-corner tangle with the Mclaren of Daniel Ricciardo saw Sainz spin off into the gravel, beaching his Ferrari and immediately retiring from the Grand Prix.

Alonso joins Sainz in retirement

Carlos Sainz wasn't the only Spaniard who endured a Grand Prix to forget, as Alpine's Fernando Alonso found himself the second driver to retire from the race.

Similarly to his compatriot Sainz, Alonso got tangled in a first-lap incident where made contact with the Haas of Mick Schumacher. This sent the German spinning to the back of the field, where he spent the rest of the race.

Alonso was able to continue, but found himself dropping through the field, showing no pace. The cameras then revealed a massive hole in his right sidepod, expaining the lack of pace.

With no way of repairing the damage, Alpine were forced to retire Alonso, a miserable way to end a promising weekend.