Verstappen lands crushing blow to Ferrari, Leclerc and the Tifosi on 'enemy' ground

Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc's pit-stop gamble backfired.

Ferrari driver Leclerc led Verstappen by two seconds at Monza when Sebastian Vettel broke down after a dozen laps, and the virtual safety car was deployed.

Leclerc dived into the pits hoping to make his rubber last to the end, but 125 000 Ferrari hearts sunk in Monza as the Monegasque was forced to concede the lead when he stopped for a second time.

Their hopes were revived when a safety car was sent out on lap 46 of 53 after Daniel Ricciardo stopped in his McLaren.

But the marshals could not clear Ricciardo's McLaren before the end, and the race effectively finished behind the safety car to boos from the Ferrari fans.

Verstappen took his fifth win in a row, his 11th from 16 this season, and extended his championship lead to 116 points with just six rounds remaining.

Verstappen will have his first shot at sealing his second world championship in as many seasons at the next round in Singapore on 3 October.

We nailed it ??????We had an amazing start and I was able to quickly get in my rhythm. The car was absolutely flying and really enjoyable to drive all weekend, great work once again team! pic.twitter.com/vx7oTVKRFH

A minute's silence

Mercedes' George Russell started second and completed the podium. Carlos Sainz took fourth, while Lewis Hamilton, demoted to the back of the grid with engine penalties, crossed the line in fifth.

A one-minute silence was observed by the Formula One grid ahead of Sunday's race in memory of the Queen. Italian president Sergio Mattarella was present for the formalities.

Leclerc called on his Ferrari team to end their run of blunders and help him convert his dazzling pole position into victory. But Ferrari's