Max Verstappen captures Italian Grand Prix in record time

Defending champion Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, defeating the McLaren tandem of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri well behind.

Red Bull's Verstappen started from the pole position and only minimally challenged over the course of the next 1:13:24.325 as he defeated Norris by 19.207 seconds and Piastri by 21.351.

Formula 1 later confirmed it was the fastest grand prix time in the sport's history, breaking Michael Schumacher's record (1:14:19.838) at the 2003 Italian Grand Prix. Verstappen's record-breaking average speed came out to 155.791 mph.

"It was a great day for us," Verstappen said. "Fantastic execution by everyone from the whole team. I think the whole weekend we were on it and it's super enjoyable to win here."

The biggest drama of the afternoon at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza, Italy, came between Norris and Piastri when McLaren bosses asked Piastri to allow Norris to take second out of a pit stop, then feel free to race.

Piastri wound up in third but still retains the overall lead in the driver standings over Norris by 31 points.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished fourth, a disappointment for the Italian fans who were hoping for a podium for the home-country manufacturer. George Russell of Mercedes was fifth, while Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was sixth.

While McLaren is running away with the team title, points from both Leclerc and Hamilton allowed Ferrari to maintain a 20-point lead over Mercedes -- crucial after Ferrari earned no points last week after failing to finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.

After a week off, racing will resume Sept. 21 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.