Italian Grand Prix 2021 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Daniel Ricciardo claimed McLaren's first victory in nine years with a dominant performance at the Italian Grand Prix, but the race will be forever remembered for the terrifying second collision between title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The incident at Monza's first chicane saw Verstappen's Red Bull land on top of Hamilton's Mercedes, with only the halo safety device preventing potential tragedy.

The flashpoint came on lap 26 when Hamilton exited the pits directly alongside Verstappen. As the two raced wheel-to-wheel into the first chicane, neither driver yielded. Hamilton held the inside line but both ran wide over the sausage kerb at Turn 2, launching Verstappen's Red Bull into the air. The car landed on Hamilton's Mercedes with the rear wheel striking Hamilton's helmet area, but the halo absorbed the impact and potentially saved the seven-time champion's life. Both cars became beached in the gravel, retiring from the race. Stewards deemed Verstappen predominantly at fault and issued a three-place grid penalty for the next race.

With both title contenders out, Ricciardo seized his opportunity brilliantly, leading teammate Lando Norris home for McLaren's first one-two finish since Canada 2010. Valtteri Bottas completed the podium for Mercedes. The collision marked the second time in the season the championship protagonists had crashed out together, intensifying the already bitter rivalry. The halo device, controversial when introduced in 2018, proved its life-saving value beyond doubt. The incident left the championship standings unchanged with Verstappen maintaining a five-point lead, but the psychological warfare between the two camps reached new heights of acrimony.