Italian Grand Prix LIVE result: Pierre Gasly takes first F1 victory in thrilling race at Monza

Follow the latest updates from Monza where the race has been red flagged after a crash for Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton follows the safety car during the Italian Grand Prix (AP)

Follow the latest updates live from the Italian Grand Prix at Monza where Lewis Hamilton will attempt to make it six wins from eight this season as he starts from pole position.

The six-time world champion is bidding to match Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven titles, and a victory today will take him a giant step closer towards achieving that honour, with the Mercedes driver already holding a 47-point advantage in the standings. He is also just two race wins away from Schumacher’s tally of 91 career victories, and should he triumph today, he could end up equalling that record next weekend.

His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas starts alongside him on the front row, but Hamilton’s nearest challenger in Max Verstappen will only start in fifth after the Red Bull qualified behind Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, leaving the Dutchman with plenty of work to do if he is to secure a podium finish on the high-speed track. Follow the live updates below.

Italian Grand Prix Key Points

• Pierre Gasly take first Formula One victory
• Gasly holds off Carlos Sainz in thrilling finish
• Hamilton recovers to eighth after 10-second stop/go penalty
• Race red flagged on lap 27
• Top 5: 1. GAS 2. SAI 3. STR 4. NOR 5. BOT

[6 September 2020 14:00 · Jack de Menezes]

HAMILTON MISSING

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are both missing when the drivers gather at the front of the grid to send their anti-racism message, leaving a large gap in the middle of the pack that looks rather poor, by all accounts. 

Hamilton has been vocal in demanding the sort unites together to fight racism, so to see the six-time world champion not making it to the front of the grid - where his car is anyway - in time for the message is poor to see.

(Getty)

[6 September 2020 13:57 · Jack de Menezes]

FAREWELL WILLIAMS

It’s an emotional weekend for Williams, with team principal and deputy Sir Frank and Claire Williams set to leave the team following the weekend.

After 43 years on the F1 grid, the departure of the Williams family from the sport is the end of an era, with the team responsible for winning seven drivers’ championships since Alan Jones claimed the first in 1980.

It has been a long, hard and testing road to the top in F1, and the subsequent fall from grace has seen plenty more hard times that ultimately resulted in the sale of the team to Dorilton Capital.

But regardless, their legacy will never be forgotten in a sport where they have done so much.

[6 September 2020 13:42 · Jack de Menezes]

PITS OPEN

The grid leaves the pits to make their way to the grid, and it’s a rather action-packed affair for Valtteri Bottas compared to normal, with the Finn locking up at the Variante della Roggia chicane and launching himself over the sausage kerbs, risking potential damage to the floor int he process. 

Mercedes will not be delighted to see that…

[6 September 2020 13:35 · Jack de Menezes]

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Italian Grand Prix, with Monza set to host the eighth round of the Formula One season.

It’s no surprise to see Lewis Hamilton start from pole position, with the runaway championship-leader bidding for his sixth victory of the season.

Alongside him on the front row is Valtteri Bottas, who needs to hit back against his Mercedes teammate if he is to get himself back into the championship battle, while second-placed Max Verstappen finds himself down in fifth on the grid after what was a difficult qualifying session for Red Bull.