Italian Grand Prix 2019 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Charles Leclerc secured back-to-back victories with a thrilling triumph at the Italian Grand Prix, holding off intense late-race pressure from Lewis Hamilton to send the passionate Tifosi into raptures at Monza. The Ferrari driver started from pole position and led for much of the race, but had to defend desperately in the closing laps as Hamilton closed to within a second using fresher tires and DRS. Leclerc's defensive masterclass on Ferrari's home circuit demonstrated racing at its finest, with the young star making his SF90 impossibly wide on the straights to prevent Hamilton from using the Mercedes' superior race pace to overtake.

The final laps provided heart-stopping drama as Hamilton loomed large in Leclerc's mirrors, repeatedly pulling alongside on Monza's long straights only for Leclerc to position his Ferrari perfectly to maintain track position. The Monegasque driver used every inch of track and the full extent of regulations to defend his lead, moving late under braking and positioning his car aggressively to force Hamilton to back out of overtaking attempts. Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas finished third, having challenged for the lead early before dropping back in the second stint. Hamilton set the fastest lap but had to settle for second place, his championship lead remaining comfortable despite the defeat.

Leclerc's victory sparked wild celebrations among the sea of red-clad Ferrari fans who invaded the circuit at the end of the race, creating iconic scenes at the Temple of Speed. The win marked Ferrari's first at Monza since 2010 and Leclerc's second consecutive triumph, establishing him as the Scuderia's undisputed team leader despite being only in his first season with the team. The result came amid controversy over Ferrari's straightline speed advantage, with rivals questioning the legality of their power unit. The FIA would later issue technical directives regarding fuel flow sensors that appeared to target Ferrari's system, coinciding with a notable drop in their performance in subsequent races.