LANDO NORRIS ran out of steam again at the start of the Italian Grand Prix, dealing a serious blow to his title hopes.
Charles Leclerc shouted “Mamma Mia!” as he tasted victory at the home of Ferrari fans for his second win of the season.
It was the same story for Norris as he started on pole but failed to finish the opening lap in first place for the fourth time this season.
Oscar Piastri left his McLaren team-mate wide open when he overtook the pole position winner on the opening lap of the second chicane.
The Australian was relentless throughout the race and finished second while Norris moved up to third with five laps to go, a point clear of fourth-placed Carlos Sainz.
Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fifth while Max Verstappen extended his winless run to six races – his worst result since 2020.
It was a disastrous start for George Russell as his Mercedes spun off the track and into the run-off zone, leaving him seventh despite starting third.
The Briton suffered a broken wing and was forced into the pits on lap 11 for a new front wing and a new set of tyres.
The pressure was clearly on Norris as he hit a BOLLARD on the way into the pit lane on lap 15 as he tried to slow down.
Title rivals Verstappen and Norris began a fierce battle for fourth as the Dutchman calmly overtook the McLaren on lap 40.
However, the McLaren drivers refused to give up and Norris overtook Sainz on his second attempt.
Piastri was close behind Leclerc on fresher tyres but the six-second gap between them with two laps to go looked too far away before Leclerc crossed the finish line.