F1: Daniel Ricciardo wins Italian Grand Prix, his first with McLaren - France 24

Monza (Italy) (AFP)

Australian Daniel Ricciardo won his 8th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Italy, the first with the McLaren team he joined at the start of the year, beating his teammate Lando Norris on Sunday at Monza.

This is the first time since 2012 that McLaren has won a Grand Prix and the first since 2018 for Ricciardo.

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) completed the podium in a race marked by the retirement of the first two of the world championship Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who got caught up halfway through the race.

For Ricciardo, the last victory was at the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, driving a Red Bull, with whom he has won seven times.

After two years at Renault in 2019 and 2020, the 32-year-old Australian joined McLaren in 2021.

His best result in 2021 was a 4th place in Belgium.

He climbs to 8th place in the championship, overtaking Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri).

Winner here last year, the latter had to retire early in the race due to problems with his car.

Starting 2nd on the starting grid behind Verstappen, Ricciardo took over the Dutchman from the first straight.

He then benefited from the clash between the two favorites for the world title, who neutralized each other.

After a pit stop on lap 26 of 53, Hamilton came out just ahead of Verstappen.

At the end of the straight line, the two cars entered the chicane side to side.

Mounted on a curb on the bend, Verstappen saw his car climb on top of his opponent's.

Both ended up in the gravel and had to resign themselves to abandonment.

Only five points separate Verstappen from his pursuer in the world championship with eight races remaining after this weekend.

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo crosses the finish line of the Italian GP at Monza, September 12, 2021 MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

This accident is reminiscent of the one at Silverstone in July at the British Grand Prix, when Verstappen had to retire on the first lap, while Hamilton had finally won.

For the Briton, this is the first retirement since the Austrian GP in 2018.

Starting from last place on the starting grid, the Finnish Bottas managed to come back up to finally get a 3rd place.

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) are 4th and 5th.

© 2021 AFP