Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Starting from 19th, he won after overtaking seven cars in the first two laps and relentlessly chasing down George Russell. This victory is among his most memorable, especially at a circuit where he had struggled in 2024 and 2025.
The race at Monza had two contrasting narratives. Verstappen's win showcased his brilliance, while home favorites Ferrari stumbled badly. In Edd Straw's weekly driver rankings, Verstappen unsurprisingly tops the list, while the polesitter dropped down the order.
Verstappen made a rare mistake while attacking Russell late on when the track surface broke up, sending him through the gravel. But he recovered well. "The difficulty of his mission means the gravel moment doesn't cost him top spot," Straw wrote. Starting from 19th was no obstacle; it became a stage for redemption.
Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly, who started from pole, could only finish seventh. Despite that, his qualifying performance was near-flawless, and in the race he drove intelligently, acknowledging that the Alpine's race pace couldn't match the top teams. "He did what he could," Straw noted. Gasly was judged to have achieved the optimum result in seventh.
On the other side, his teammate Franco Colapinto became an example of how overambition can backfire. He was involved in an incident that ended his race, showing that driving an Alpine requires extra patience. This result is a lesson for the French team amid tight competition.
The rankings also highlight how strategy and race management were crucial. For instance, Verstappen's decision not to focus on single-lap pace all weekend paid off, as he could be aggressive in the race. "He showed no sign of the pressure of the championship situation or the tough Monza atmosphere," Straw added.
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