2023 Italian Grand Prix Takeaways

Another day, another Grand Prix, and another predictable win for Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver completed a record-breaking drive following his second Italian GP victory. He now holds 10 wins in a row, which surpasses Sebastian Vettel’s achievement. The Belgian-Dutch driver closes in on a third-consecutive world title. Nevertheless, despite his dominant season, Monza still offered thrilling battles throughout the top 10. Home team Ferrari put pressure on Verstappen early into the race, while Sergio Perez fought to a podium finish.

With exciting narratives left and right, Nitrobetting covers the top 2023 Italian Grand Prix storylines below.

Key Takeaways from the 2023 Italian Grand Prix

Why Ferrari's set-up and strategy gamble to win in Monza didn't pay off #ItalianGP #F1Unlocked

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 4, 2023

Max Verstappen Gets 10

Even though it took Max Verstappen 15 laps to sit in front of the pack, the defending champion assumed his usual leading position without much trouble once he saw an opening. He stayed cool behind pole sitter Carlos Sainz and picked the right overtaking moment. The win was never in question once he picked off the Spaniard with a clean move. Undeterred by a minor issue he nursed in the closing laps, the 25-year-old finished six seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

This Red Bull performance marks history as Max Verstappen becomes the first driver to win 10 consecutive races. The result also meant no other team has finished P1 besides Red Bull. A third title should be in the bag within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Checo drove an amazing race. The Mexican driver worked his way to P2 from P5. The Ferrari duo troubled him for a few laps, but Perez stayed in the slipstream of Charles Leclerc for a few good laps before picking the pair off one by one.

Tifosi Weekend

This was, without a doubt, Carlos Sainz’s smoothest weekend of the calendar after his maiden victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix. He started the Italian Grand Prix excursion leading two of the three practice sessions and grabbed pole position with an incredible final lap.

Race day was no different for the Ferrari wheelman. He kept the much faster Max Verstappen behind him for 14 laps before he locked up in turn one. Sainz bounced back with a faultless defensive masterclass to keep teammate Charles Leclerc off the podium in the other SF-23.

Sainz missing a podium finish would have been bad luck. But, with additional points to stake his claim for fifth place in the 2023 Driver Standings, he now has the upper hand against Leclerc and George Russell by six and eight points, respectively.

Finishing third and fourth after a P1 and a P3 start might disappoint some. However, since the run of unlucky moments and lapses, this season might be considered a win under normal circumstances. This was Ferrari’s most competitive race of the season, in contrast to Red Bull.

Ferrari went all out in their home race. The engineers introduced more aerodynamic efficient choices and brand-new power units for both cars. Sainz finished under 12 seconds behind the winner, which is closer than Charles Leclerc was in Azerbaijan, Austria, and Belgium–the circuits for Ferrari’s other podium finishes in 2023.

Alex Albon Shines in the Midfield

Alex Albon completes another points finish race. The former Red Bull driver matched his best finish with Williams yet as he crossed the line in seventh place. It was an outcome of the improved car and arguably Albon’s strength in a tight midfield pack. He was superb in managing the pack with the help of the FW45’s superb straight-line speed.

The 27-year-old held off multiple attacks from McLaren’s Lando Norris into Turn 1 and carried more speed out of Ascari and the Parabolica to stay ahead of the papaya-colored cars. Even though he lost out to Lewis Hamilton, Albon recovered well to maintain his defense against the two McLarens.

Ultimately, his six-point weekend helps Williams take another huge step forward securing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship. Teammate Logan Sargeant finished P13 in Monza, but there’s reason to believe that the American driver is about to unlock more potential in the coming weeks for a possible double-point finish for the Oxfordshire-based team.

Where to Bet on F1 with Crypto

Formula 1 features a continuously growing betting market for veteran and novice punters. Motorsport lovers will get a kick out of our F1 odds selection, which features Drivers and Constructors’ Championship futures and outright winners of each Grand Prix.

Feel free to browse sports betting guides. While you are at it, go ahead and check out all the latest F1 betting odds and more in our online crypto sportsbook.