Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his third victory of the season after finishing 19 seconds clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris at Monza.
The reigning world champion, who started from pole position, overcame early pressure from Norris and a brief exchange of positions before comfortably retaking the lead on Lap 4. Despite a late pit strategy gamble by McLaren, Verstappen’s Red Bull proved untouchable throughout the race.
McLaren’s race strategy became the focus of controversy after an awkward team orders situation involving Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri in the final 10 laps. Hoping to gain an advantage over Verstappen, McLaren extended its first stint to 45 laps and switched both drivers to soft tyres. However, a slower pit stop for Norris — caused by a left-front tyre delay — allowed Piastri to rejoin ahead of him, despite team policy favouring the lead car.
Norris expressed his frustration after finishing second, saying: “I felt like I was there quite a long time. Every now and then we make mistakes as a team and today was one of them.”
The McLaren driver also reflected on his battle with Verstappen at the start: “I always know it’s going to be a good fight with Max and it was [at the start]. So enjoyable but just not the speed today of Max and the Red Bull.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, praised his team’s flawless execution, saying: “It’s super enjoyable to win here. It was a great day for us. Lap 1 was a bit unlucky but after that we were flying. The car was really enjoyable. I could manage the pace quite well throughout that first stint and we pitted at the right time. Fantastic execution by everyone by the whole team. The whole weekend, we were on it.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth in front of the home fans, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in fifth. Lewis Hamilton, making his first Italian Grand Prix appearance for Ferrari, climbed from 10th on the grid to finish sixth following a five-place penalty for a yellow-flag infringement.
Williams’ Alex Albon secured seventh place, followed by Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto in eighth, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli in ninth, and Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar rounding out the top ten.
Verstappen’s victory further tightens the championship battle, with Red Bull showing renewed dominance despite McLaren’s consistent pressure.
Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha popularly known as Igwe 2pac, survived a near fatal car accident at third mainland bridge, Lagos, yesterday. Charles Okocha shared the…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-classic-yellow-tram-travels-along-a-narrow-cobblestone-street-in-lisbon-portugal.jpg?id=60022142&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=3%2C0%2C4%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've been dreaming about sipping Vinho Verde on a sun-drenched terrace in Lisbon or strolling the colourful cobblestone streets of Porto, listen up! TAP Air Portugal has the perfect excuse to finally get your European vacation out of the group chat and into reality — with <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/cheap-flights-from-montreal">cheap roundtrip flights from Montreal</a> to Europe for under $700.</p><p>From now until May 4, 2025, you can snag deeply discounted <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/cheap-flights">tickets from Montreal</a> to some of Europe's most beautiful (and underrated) spots. </p><p>Travel dates run from mid-September 2025 to late March 2026 (except for holiday blackout dates between December 15, 2025, and January 12, 2026), which means you could plan a fall getaway, a cozy winter escape, or an early spring reset — all without dipping into the peak-season chaos (or prices).</p><p>And the destinations? Talk about bucket list-worthy!</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DH0VMTCNbhR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DH0VMTCNbhR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>In early 2026, you could hop on a flight from Montreal to Lisbon for just $619 roundtrip. Lisbon is a city where pastel buildings cascade down rolling hills, and trams clatter past tiny wine bars.</p><p>If that's not enough, how about Porto? It's the home of port wine and dreamy coastal and river views, and you can get a roundtrip flight from Montreal for just $619. </p><p>Or you could aim higher (literally) and jet to Funchal, Madeira's mountain-meets-ocean paradise, for just $699 roundtrip from Montreal. Here, you'll be able to start your mornings with ocean mist and strong espresso, all while soaking up views of volcanic valleys.</p><p>If France is on your list, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-airport-low-cost-airline-french-bee">Montreal to Paris</a> will set you back just $599 on select dates in 2025-2026. That's cheaper than some last-minute trips to Toronto. </p><p>You could also explore Lyon, the underrated foodie capital of France, for just $649 roundtrip. Think endless quaint coffee shops, cozy cobblestone alleyways, and the kind of buttery pastries that might just make you emotional.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uWridsYmE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uWridsYmE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>TAP Air Portugal, the country's national airline, is behind this latest fare drop. They've been flying for 80 years and connect North America to over 40 cities across Europe and Africa, with Lisbon as their main hub.<br/></p><p>If you wanted to extend your Euro trip even further, TAP's Portugal Stopover program lets you spend up to 10 days in Portugal en route to your final destination — without paying extra for the flight.</p><p>That means you could fly from Montreal to Lyon, but squeeze in a week of pasteis de nata and beach lounging in Portugal along the way. Two vacations for the price of one? Say less.<br/></p><p>As part of the ongoing sale, there's also a 15% discount on your first checked bag, and you can even bring your surfboard, kiteboard, or bike gear at a discount.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Us--Go3x4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Us--Go3x4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Here's a quick look at some of the roundtrip prices leaving from Montreal:<br/></p><ul><li>Paris for $599</li><li>Faro for $618</li><li>Lisbon for $619</li><li>Porto for $619</li><li>Lyon for $649</li><li>Toulouse for $649</li><li>Funchal for $699</li><li>Madrid for $759</li><li>Milan for $850</li></ul><p>You can find all of TAP's current deals on their website. Just remember that additional fees and charges for extras like seat selection checked baggage, or onboard services might apply, so it's always worth reading the fine print before you book.</p><p>Bon voyage, Montreal! </p><p><em>These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
