The cathedral of speed, Monza, witnessed another electrifying Formula 1 showdown, and once again, Max Verstappen reminded everyone why he’s a three-time world champion. On Sunday, the Dutchman powered his Red Bull from pole to the top step of the podium, holding off McLaren’s hungry duo—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—after a start and finish filled with drama.
A Chaotic Opening Lap
The lights went out, and almost immediately, the sparks flew. Verstappen and Norris went side by side down the start/finish straight, barely leaving each other room. In the chaos, Verstappen skipped the first chicane to hang on to the lead, much to Norris’ frustration.
Radio chatter caught Norris fuming: “What’s this idiot doing? He put me in the grass and cut the corner.”
To avoid a penalty, Verstappen briefly gave the position back at the start of Lap 2. But it was only a temporary reprieve for Norris. By Lap 4, Verstappen was glued to the McLaren’s rear wing, took advantage of the slipstream, and blasted past around the outside at Turn 1 to reclaim P1.
Verstappen’s Control Game
From that moment, Verstappen looked untouchable. He managed his tyres, controlled the gap, and followed Red Bull’s orders to avoid unnecessary risks. A perfectly timed pit stop strategy sealed the deal. With hard tyres in the final stint, Verstappen cruised home, seemingly unbothered by the chaos unfolding behind him.
“It was a great day for us,” Verstappen reflected. “Of course Lap 1 was a bit unlucky, but after that we were flying. Fantastic execution by everyone in the team.”
McLaren’s Team Orders Drama
McLaren, meanwhile, had their own battle to manage. A slow pit stop for Norris handed second place to Piastri, setting up an awkward situation. The team quickly stepped in, reminding Piastri of last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix drama when Norris gave back the lead.
This time, the call was clear: let Norris through. Piastri initially questioned the order but ultimately obeyed, allowing his teammate to take second. McLaren assured both drivers they’d be free to race afterward, but Piastri didn’t have enough pace to fight back. He had to settle for third, his championship lead over Norris trimmed from 34 to 31 points.
Ferrari’s Home Heartbreak
For Ferrari fans—the Tifosi—the weekend ended in disappointment. Charles Leclerc fought hard but couldn’t break into the podium spots, finishing fourth, just shy of giving the home crowd something to cheer about. The dream of a red car on the Monza podium fizzled away, leaving the passionate fans with more questions than answers.
Mercedes’ Mixed Day
George Russell quietly delivered another strong, consistent performance to take fifth. Lewis Hamilton, starting further back after a grid penalty, fought through the pack to secure sixth. It wasn’t a spectacular result for Mercedes, but it was steady, measured progress.
Midfield Fireworks
The midfield served up its own share of storylines.
- Alex Albon delivered a stellar drive, bringing home seventh for Williams and keeping their points tally ticking upward.
- Gabriel Bortoleto snagged eighth for Kick Sauber, a welcome boost for the rookie.
- Kimi Antonelli, despite a five-second penalty for erratic driving that forced Albon off track, managed to claim ninth.
- Isack Hadjar turned heads by climbing from a pit lane start all the way to tenth, showcasing grit and determination.
Just outside the points, Carlos Sainz’s Williams and Ollie Bearman’s Haas made contact late in the race, derailing their hopes.
Disappointments and Penalties
Not everyone left Monza with smiles. Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson finished outside the points after some messy midfield clashes. Esteban Ocon picked up a penalty for forcing Lance Stroll wide, and both Alpine drivers endured a frustrating afternoon with Pierre Gasly 16th and Franco Colapinto 17th.
Aston Martin’s hopes crumbled—Lance Stroll tumbled down the order after running in the top 10, while Fernando Alonso suffered a suspension failure that ended his race prematurely. Nico Hulkenberg didn’t even make the start, sidelined by hydraulics failure during the formation lap.
The Turning Points
The defining moments of this Grand Prix came early and late. On Lap 1, Verstappen’s chicane skip and Norris’ furious radio messages set the tone. By Lap 4, Verstappen had reasserted his authority, and the rest of the race was about control.
McLaren’s pit stop shuffle and subsequent team orders added a layer of controversy, but the decision was pragmatic. Norris gained critical championship points, while Piastri played the team game.
Verstappen Back on Top
For Verstappen, this was a statement race. He claimed his third win of the 2025 season with style, reminding rivals that even when things look messy at the start, he has the composure and pace to turn it around.
“It’s super enjoyable to win here,” Verstappen said with a smile. And at Monza, where legends are made, Verstappen once again etched his name into the story of the Italian Grand Prix.
Final Classification – Italian GP 2025
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
- Alex Albon – Williams
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- Isack Hadjar – Red Bull
Behind them, the midfield shuffled with penalties, collisions, and heartbreaks that defined another unforgettable race at the Temple of Speed.
In the end, Monza delivered its trademark blend of chaos and brilliance. Verstappen walked away victorious, McLaren wrestled with tough decisions, and Ferrari left their fans waiting for a homecoming miracle that never came. That’s Formula 1 at its finest—unpredictable, emotional, and utterly compelling.