The top 2 drivers with the top 2 cars, Verstappen and Hamilton with Red Bull and Mercedes, eliminated each other on Lap 26, opening the door for the smiling Australian to win the Italian Grand Prix on the famous Monza track.
Ricciardo made news at the start where he jumped Verstappen, partly because F1's pole setup placed Verstappen in the left lane, with a right-hand turn to start the race.
On Lap 26, mayhem ensued as Hamilton was reentering track after a pit stop, Verstappen was passing and the vaunted chicane was just ahead.
12oz Sports on Twitter: "@Max33Verstappen has climbed to the top of the standings and now has literally climbed on top of the reigning @F1 champion @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/UwFbnaTG96 / Twitter"
@Max33Verstappen has climbed to the top of the standings and now has literally climbed on top of the reigning @F1 champion @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/UwFbnaTG96
Formula 1 on Twitter: "LAP 26/53Hamilton was returning to the track after pitting before the pair came together#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/iSL9RENEwR / Twitter"
LAP 26/53Hamilton was returning to the track after pitting before the pair came together#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/iSL9RENEwR
Ricciardo led the rest of the way, but not without help from the box, as McClaren top brass instructed teammate Lando Norris to protect Ricciardo instead of trying to pass him. This is the first time McClaren finished 1st and 2nd since 2012.
A driver of note, Valteri Bottas, finished 3rd for Mercedes a week after he and the team decided to go their separate ways next season.
Formula 1 on Twitter: "DANIEL: "To lead literally from start to finish I don't think any of us expected that... I've just been a sandbagging SOB for the rest of the year! To not only win but to get a 1-2 - it's insane!" #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/tFXltNya1M / Twitter"
DANIEL: "To lead literally from start to finish I don't think any of us expected that... I've just been a sandbagging SOB for the rest of the year! To not only win but to get a 1-2 - it's insane!" #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/tFXltNya1M
