Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand Prix ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel almost caused a crash after a spin and a risky maneuver. The second Ferrari driver was 13th.
Leclerc, who had started from a pole position after a curious qualifying session like in Spa, won the start duel against the two Mercedes. Hamilton, who had started the race second, came away well in the first few meters, but fell behind Bottas in the first chicane temporarily. Vettel initially defended his fourth place, but was then overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg in the Renault after the first corners. In the second round Vettel used the start-finish straight to pull past his compatriot again.
After a critical driving mistake in the seventh lap, the Ferrari driver then had to say goodbye to the lead group - and possible victory ambitions: In the Ascari chicane, he turned and caused a collision with Lance Stroll at the Racing Point when driving back onto the track. Vettel got for his negligent action, a 10-second stop-and-go penalty and then landed first in last place.
Leclerc and Hamilton delivered from the 23rd round a duel duel: After the first stops of both pilots of the world champion attacked before him driving Monegassen for the first time, it was followed by further attacks, the distance between the two was less than a second. On lap 36, Leclerc braked, missed the chicane, but stayed ahead of Hamilton.
Five laps Later, the World Champion also suffered a braking error in the same chicane. Hamilton had to drive through the exit area, teammate Bottas could pass. Leclerc was just under two seconds ahead at the top. He could drive the lead to the finish.
