Pressure, Passion, and Pace: What to Watch at The 2025 Italian Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc’s emotional win in 2024
Formula 1 returns to the Temple of Speed this weekend. Ferrari faces pressure, but Monza may well be the track where Leclerc delivers a masterclass after last year’s emotional one-stop win. On the other side of the garage, Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty clouds the weekend. Other storylines to follow: Oscar Piastri leads Norris by 34 points, rookie Kimi Antonelli heads home seeking redemption, and the midfield battle intensifies. Who will come out on top this weekend?
🐎 “Now or Never” for The Prancing Horse
Ferrari debuts a special livery for Monza
Last year, Charles Leclerc delivered one of Monza’s most iconic moments as he nursed his hard tires to win at Ferrari’s home Grand Prix. The Tifosis flooded the race track, chanted for the team, and painted the town red. This year, the pressure has only increased. Italian media have been stirring up drama around the Maranello-based team all year, despite the team’s efforts to shut down the rumors; the media are unlikely to tone it down as Ferrari has yet to secure a victory this season. Every year, Ferrari puts in the extra effort of bringing track-specific upgrades to Monza, and they usually give the team a performance boost. They are rumored to have brought an ultra-low downforce package as a plan B, and we will see if it gets used over the weekend. The team also commemorates Niki Lauda with a special livery, but there’s only one objective on Sunday: Ferrari has not won all season, and Monza still carries the weight of “must-win” expectation.
To add to the mix, Hamilton was penalized for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags in Zandvoort, which meant he would need to put on his best qualifying form and fight from the back to stand a chance of being on the podium. The media are circling like vultures—will Ferrari deliver a redemption arc, or will Monza become another missed opportunity?
🎖️All to Play For at McLaren
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris
McLaren last won Monza in 2021 with Ricciardo during a tricky season after Verstappen and Hamilton’s big get-together. Following his victory and Lando Norris’ retirement in Zandvoort, Oscar Piastri holds a commanding 34-point lead over his teammate. Monza, with its long straights and slipstream chains, is very different from all of the other tracks on the calendar. This is perhaps the one track where the MCL-39 may not hold its usual advantage, as it is a bit draggier at times. Piastri has been consistent, level-headed, and arguably the better driver, but Norris also delivered great drives under pressure. Every point counts now, and Monza may just decide whether the championship drifts away or remains alive.
❗️Antonelli’s Test at Home
Andrea Kimi Antonelli behind the Mercedes pitwall
Kimi Antonelli heads home to Italy for the second time this season. The Mercedes rookie also made his F1 debut in free practice last year at Monza, before dramatically crashing George Russell’s car at the iconic Parabolica. Antonelli started the season on a high note, with an impressive Miami Sprint pole and a podium finish in Canada. However, as the season progressed, his confidence took a dip, and he was involved in two high-profile clashes—one with Verstappen in Austria, another with Leclerc in Zandvoort—that ended both drivers’ races.
Now, Monza offers him a chance of redemption, but not without the media spotlight and pressure. The high-speed straights and fewer complex corners should suit his bold style — can he channel the home crowd’s energy into points, or will the pressure swallow him?
📊 My Race Predictions
2024 Italian GP Podium
Oscar Piastri looks primed to extend his championship lead this weekend. McLaren’s package has been the most consistent across track types this season, and he would have won the race last year had Ferrari and Leclerc not rolled the dice. His calm, calculated approach, paired with his ability to manage high-pressure situations, makes Piastri the favorite to win.
Lando Norris, however, won’t go down quietly. The Brit has shown time and again that Monza’s high-speed flow suits his aggressive yet precise style. Expect him to push Piastri hard for the win, with even more hunger after the mechanical failure last weekend. Rounding out the podium, Charles Leclerc has won here twice, and his 2024 win remains fresh in Tifosi’s minds. If Ferrari can find a touch more performance and play their cards right, Leclerc has every chance to deliver another podium in front of the home crowd.
Further back, Franco Colapinto is my dark horse. The Argentine driver has yet to score a point this season. It has been rumored that, despite his loyal fanbase, his seat at Alpine may come under threat in 2026. He finished just outside of points in Zandvoort and needs a good result to vouch for his future in F1.
My wildcard prediction is a double-points finish for the team. The Williams car has always been known to have great top speed and is rapid on the straights. Both Sainz and Albon have shown they are capable of delivering great results when the car is decent, and Monza could be the perfect storm for them to cash in on some points.
Race Winner: 🏆 Oscar Piastri
Podium: 🥇Oscar Piastri 🥈Lando Norris 🥉Charles Leclerc
Dark Horse: Franco Colapinto
Wildcard Prediction: Double points finish for Williams
