Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen lifts the trophy on the podium after the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Qian Jun/Xinhua)

By F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth

BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Max Verstappen claimed his and Red Bull's third win of the 2025 Formula 1 season with a commanding performance in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, as Lando Norris reduced McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri's championship lead after late pit-lane drama.

Starting from pole, Verstappen briefly lost the lead when he cut the Rettifilo chicane on the opening lap and was ordered to yield to Norris. But the Dutchman, who set the fastest qualifying lap in F1 history on Saturday, reclaimed the advantage on lap 4 and swiftly pulled away, his Red Bull untouchable on Monza's long straights.

From then on, Verstappen was unchallenged and ended a nine-race wait for victory by crossing the line some 19 seconds clear of Norris.

"It was a great day for us. Lap 1 was a bit unlucky but after that we were flying," said Verstappen afterwards.

"The car was really enjoyable. I could manage the pace quite well throughout that first stint and we pitted at the right time.

"Fantastic execution by everyone by the whole team. The whole weekend, we were on it."

Behind Verstappen, there was late drama as Norris had looked set to finish second until a slow pit stop six laps from the end allowed Piastri to jump ahead.

With McLaren eager to protect both cars from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc behind, the team had given Piastri the earlier stop, a move Norris had agreed to.

But when Norris dropped behind after his own sluggish service, McLaren ordered the Australian to hand back the position to preserve his teammate's title momentum.

Piastri questioned the call on team radio but complied two laps later, trimming his championship lead over Norris by three points to 31. Verstappen is a further 60 points adrift in third, with eight grands prix and three Sprints remaining in 2025.

Leclerc, who had battled hard with Piastri in the opening laps, eventually fell back and finished fourth. Mercedes's George Russell took fifth ahead of Leclerc's teammate Lewis Hamilton, while Williams' Alex Albon finished seventh.

Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto crossed the line eighth, promoted by a five-second penalty for Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who took ninth. Isack Hadjar completed the top ten for Racing Bulls after starting from the pit lane.

Of the 16 Grands Prix so far in 2025, Norris and Piastri have combined for 12, with Verstappen now supplying three of the remaining four.

The next round of the 2025 F1 World Championship is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where McLaren will seal the Constructors' title by outscoring Ferrari by nine points. ■

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (front) competes during the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (front) overtakes McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (top) celebrates his victory after the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the 2025 Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, near Milan, Italy, on Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)