RACE START: Verstappen forced to give up race lead following early battle with Norris in Monza

The Italian Grand Prix got off to a tense start as polesitter Max Verstappen was instructed to give up the lead after going off the road in his fight with McLaren’s Lando Norris.

At lights out, the Briton got a strong launch and had the advantage of the inside line, but ran onto the grass as the Red Bull driver defended first place.

While Norris clung onto the racing line, Verstappen cut the corner and held onto the lead, resulting in him quickly being ordered to give up the position in order to avoid a penalty further down the line.

Just behind, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made the crowd roar as he challenged the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri for P3, with the pair battling throughout the first lap before the Australian executed a superb overtake at Lesmo 1.

There was also heartbreak for Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who was told to retire the car on the formation lap after qualifying in an impressive 12th place.

Click go on the video above to watch the start of the Italian Grand Prix.