Charles Leclerc wins Italian GP as Ferrari star holds of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas

CHARLES LECLERC made it back-to-back wins and became the first Ferrari driver to win the Italian Grand Prix since 2010.

Last weekend, the 21-year-old won an emotional Belgian Grand Prix a day after the death of his friend, Anthonie Hubert, in a Formula Two race.

But this was his chance to celebrate his maiden win in F1, followed by his second, as he showed just why he is rated so highly and proved to be no push over for Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc raced wheel-to-wheel with the five-time world champion and didn’t give an inch.

At one point it got too close and he made contact with the Brit, earning Leclerc the black and white flag – an equivalent to a yellow card in football.

Leclerc’s win blew the roof off this Monza circuit and confirms his position as one of the best drivers in F1.

It also raises serious questions now as to who is the No.1 driver at Ferrari, for he is the new darling of the Italian team; Vettel once again proving to be no-match.

Leclerc stood on the podium, crossing the line ahead of Valtteri Bottas while Lewis Hamilton’s lock-up on lap 42 saw him dumped down to third.

A late pitstop allowed him to set the fastest lap, earning an extra bonus point bit it was scant consolation.

But what of Vettel? The German, who has not won a race for 12 months, was outclassed and outraced.

He careless spun at Ascari – an unforced error – before rejoining the track in a dangerous manner.

Vettel clipped Lance Stroll, spending him into a spin. The Canadian then almost took out Pierre Gasly.

Vettel was slapped with a 10 second stop and go penalty, a lenient penalty given the circumstances.

He came home an embarrassing 13th behind Gasly and Stroll and was only just ahead of Williams’ George Russell.