Lando Norris was left seething after a chaotic opening lap at the Italian Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen cut the first chicane to stay ahead.
The Red Bull star started from pole position at Monza but faced immediate pressure from Norris, who lined up alongside him on the front row. The McLaren driver made the better start and looked set to grab the lead heading into Turn 1.
But Verstappen’s aggressive defense forced Norris onto the grass, leaving the Briton to take evasive action. Despite managing to hit the apex, Norris watched as Verstappen missed the corner entirely, skipped across the chicane, and rejoined the track still in front.
Norris was livid over the team radio, saying:
“Yeah, what the… what is this idiot doing? Come on… He’s put me on the grass and then just cut the corner.”
Race stewards quickly reviewed the incident, and Red Bull were told their driver would need to give the place back. Verstappen complied at the end of the first lap, slowing on the main straight to let Norris through. The maneuver nearly cost him two positions, with Oscar Piastri almost slipping past before being forced to defend from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Usually this season, McLaren have been able to pull away when in clean air, but Verstappen’s superior straight-line speed kept him firmly in the hunt. What looked like a simple lead change turned into a tense early duel between the pair at the Temple of Speed.
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