Monza 2025: The Thrills, Chaos, and Drama of the Italian Grand Prix

The 2025 Formula 1 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with highs, lows, and dramatic moments at every turn. After missing out on the Dutch Grand Prix last week, I’ve returned, ready to dive into the action at one of the most iconic tracks in F1 history—Monza. A circuit that has seen incredible races, historic moments, and fierce rivalries unfold. This weekend promises to be just as chaotic, thrilling, and unpredictable as always.

Monza: A Track Like No Other

Monza, with its legendary history, is a circuit that stirs up passion in fans and drivers alike. The track, known for its high-speed straights and daring chicanes, is a true test of a car’s ability to maintain speed while braking late and making sharp turns. Over the years, we’ve witnessed unforgettable moments, from Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise victory in 2021 to the sensational battles of past seasons.

Even in the quieter years, the racing has never been completely dull. Take, for example, the 2020 season, where we saw Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz battling it out for victory in an unexpected twist of fate. Or the 2016 classic, where Daniel Ricciardo’s divebomb on Max Verstappen became one of the most talked-about moves in recent F1 history. Monza doesn’t need drama to deliver—it’s in the very fabric of the track itself.

This weekend, the atmosphere at Monza was electric as fans packed the stands, hoping to witness another unforgettable chapter in F1’s rich history. For some teams, this race would mark the culmination of months of hard work and preparation, while for others, it was an opportunity to either solidify their place in the standings or salvage a struggling season.

A Title Fight That Feels Uncertain

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2025 title fight has been a bit underwhelming. While Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are the current contenders, neither seems capable of truly dominating the field in the way we’ve seen from past champions. Norris, for instance, has struggled with consistency—his impressive flashes of brilliance are often overshadowed by mistakes that have cost him valuable points. And let’s not even talk about Oscar Piastri, who continues to show promise but hasn’t quite found his feet in the chaotic world of F1.

However, there’s still hope. Even though we may be in the midst of a season that’s not quite as thrilling as others, the competition between these drivers has sparked interest. Whether or not we see an epic showdown between Norris and Verstappen by the end of the season is yet to be determined. One thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over.

FP1 and FP2: A Few Surprises and Some Predictable Struggles

As always, Friday practice sessions are where we get our first glimpse of the weekend’s potential. From the start, it was clear that this weekend would be a tough one for some teams. Ferrari, hoping for a solid performance at their home track, had their eyes on both the podium and the points. Yet, there were mixed performances across the board, with Charles Leclerc finding himself struggling to keep pace with the top runners.

Meanwhile, McLaren appeared to have the upper hand, with Norris showing impressive speed in both sessions. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Lando had a few off-track moments, showing that even the best aren’t immune to the pressure of Monza’s demanding turns. Still, McLaren had every reason to be optimistic, as their car showed remarkable speed down the straights.

The Williams team also seemed to have an extra boost of confidence. Their performance was solid, but as always, the real test would come during qualifying. Meanwhile, Alpine’s performance was underwhelming, with their drivers failing to show the form needed to compete with the front-runners.

FP3 and Qualifying: A Battle for the Front Row

As expected, FP3 didn’t provide much in terms of surprises, but it did help solidify what we already knew: McLaren and Ferrari were the teams to watch. Qualifying, however, was where the drama really unfolded.

In Q1, the surprises started early, with several drivers failing to make it through, including Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll, whose race weekend quickly spiraled downhill. But the real shock came in Q2, where Lando Norris once again failed to deliver under pressure, leaving fans on edge. He was able to pull it together for a second run, but it was clear that McLaren’s strategy wasn’t quite as foolproof as it seemed.

However, it was Q3 where the magic truly happened. Max Verstappen, as expected, set an incredible time to take pole, with Norris and Piastri following closely behind. Ferrari, for all their struggles in practice, made it into the top five, while Red Bull’s dominance on the timing sheets left little doubt about their continued superiority.

Race Day: Max Dominates, McLaren Struggles

The race itself didn’t disappoint in terms of drama, even though the outcome was somewhat predictable. Max Verstappen’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He started from pole and, despite some early challenges from Norris, controlled the race from start to finish. The battle for second place was where the real action was, as McLaren’s Norris and Piastri tried to fend off the Ferrari drivers.

However, McLaren’s hopes were dashed when Norris suffered a slow pit stop, allowing Piastri to leapfrog him. The Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t keep up with Verstappen’s pace. In the end, it was Max Verstappen who crossed the finish line in first, with McLaren securing the remaining podium spots. It was a bittersweet result for Ferrari, who had hoped for more at their home Grand Prix.

Winners and Losers: The Aftermath of Monza

In the aftermath of the race, there were clear winners and losers.

Winners:

Max Verstappen: Once again, Verstappen demonstrated why he is the benchmark of modern F1. His victory at Monza was a textbook display of dominance. Despite the pressure from McLaren, he was untouchable.

Ferrari: While they didn’t win, Ferrari showed improvement, especially with Carlos Sainz in a solid fourth place. It wasn’t the fairytale result they wanted, but it was a step in the right direction.

Gabby: The underrated driver continues to impress, taking the fight to more seasoned drivers and showing his true potential. His performance this weekend was one of the highlights for the mid-field teams.

Losers:

McLaren: While they had the pace to compete, they simply couldn’t get the job done. Their inability to close the gap to Verstappen raised questions about their ability to challenge for the title.

Alpine: With Pierre Gasly showing some form, the team still failed to deliver in the race. Alpine’s inconsistency is becoming a hallmark of their season, and their chances of improving seem slim.

Racing Bulls: After their success in Zanvour, the Racing Bulls team had a disappointing weekend. Their lackluster performance left fans wondering if they can build on their recent success.

Looking Ahead: Baku Awaits

As the F1 circus packs up and heads to Azerbaijan for the next Grand Prix, fans can expect the chaos of Baku. Known for its unpredictable outcomes and tight racing, Baku could be the perfect opportunity for teams like McLaren to get back in the title fight. Whether they can match the pace of Verstappen and Red Bull is another question, but the season is far from over.

In the meantime, let’s give a quick shout-out to all the supporters on the Discord—your enthusiasm keeps us all going. As always, let me know in the comments who your winners and losers were from Monza. Until then, stay tuned for more F1 drama, and as always, have an amazing day!