Max Verstappen claims fifth-straight victory at Italian Grand Prix

By George Ramsay, CNN

Updated 1517 GMT (2317 HKT) September 11, 2022

Max Verstappen celebrates victory at the Italian Grand Prix as he continues his F1 title defense.

(CNN)Max Verstappen tightened his grip on the Formula One drivers' championship with victory ahead of Charles Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix.

It was Verstappen's fifth-straight victory and his first at the Italian Grand Prix — much to the displeasure of the Ferrari fans who packed out Monza and were hoping for a Leclerc win.The Dutchman now leads the driver standings by 116 points and could mathematically wrap up the title at the next race in Singapore.Boos rang out around Monza as Sunday's race finished behind a safety car after Daniel Ricciardo had stopped on the track with five laps remaining. It meant Leclerc, who trailed Verstappen having taken an extra pit stop, was unable to mount a challenge on his rival in the closing stages.Read MoreThroughout the race, however, it became apparent that Verstappen had the superior speed and deserved his victory having climbed from seventh in the grid.More to follow