Sainz in battle with Leclerc, Verstappen and Perez: 'Neatly held'

Behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, it was Carlos Sainz who completed the podium last weekend. The Spaniard started on pole, but still saw two RB19s flash past. Towards the end of the race, Charles Leclerc and Sainz raced vigorously and the two bantams of the Italian Scuderia fought for the last spot on the podium.

Sainz in battle with Leclerc, Verstappen and Perez

"In the end we kept it tidy," Sainz told reporters after the Italian Grand Prix. " There were some nice moves here and there, tight battles, and today I really enjoyed the fight with Max, the fight with Checo, the fight with Charles," the Ferrari Spaniard revealed.

"I think it was a good day for F1. We gave a good show, and I did everything I could to stay in front and I succeeded," concluded the Ferrari driver, who was robbed of his watch after Sunday's race. Sainz is above teammate Leclerc in the battle for the 2023 world championship.