2025 Italian Grand Prix: Verstappen’s Dominance and Team Highlights
The excitement of the Italian Grand Prix, the sixteenth race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, took place on September 7 at the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, located in northern Italy near Milan. This race provided thrilling competition and showcased the remarkable capabilities of several teams and drivers. Max Verstappen emerged as the star of the event, demonstrating his prowess and skill on the track.
Verstappen’s Victory and Record-Breaking Performance
Max Verstappen claimed victory at Monza, starting from pole position and successfully regaining the lead by lap four out of fifty-three. He crossed the finish line first, followed closely by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, as he secured his 45th pole position with Red Bull Racing. This achievement made him the driver with the most pole starts for the Milton Keynes-based team, breaking the tie with Sebastian Vettel.
In addition to his pole position, Verstappen also set a record for the fastest average speed in a Grand Prix, completing the race with an impressive average speed of 250 km/h and a total race time of just 1:13:24.325. This remarkable feat was achieved despite not having the fastest car on the grid, showcasing his exceptional talent and strategic racing skills.
This victory marked Verstappen’s third win of the season and his fourth career win at Monza over the last four years. He became the first driver to win at this famous European circuit after starting from pole position since 2019, adding another layer of significance to his triumph.
Performance Analysis of Other Teams
While Verstappen took center stage, several other teams also showcased impressive performances at Monza. Here’s a breakdown of the results from the top teams that earned points during the race:
Scuderia Ferrari
Ferrari, despite not clinching victory, pleased their local fans by placing both cars in the top six, racing in special livery to commemorate Niki Lauda’s first championship title in Formula 1. Charles Leclerc was the standout driver for the Scuderia, starting from fourth position and finishing in the same spot. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished right behind him in sixth place, contributing valuable points to the team’s championship standing.
Mercedes-AMG
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team also had a successful race, with both drivers finishing in the points. George Russell, the more experienced driver, continued his streak of top-five finishes, securing fifth place after maintaining his position throughout the race. On the other hand, rookie Kimi Antonelli started just behind Russell in sixth but struggled with race pace and ultimately settled for ninth place.
Williams Racing
For Williams Racing, Alex Albon emerged as the hero of the day, finishing seventh and ensuring that the team left Italy with points. Albon’s performance was particularly noteworthy, given that he managed to secure a strong result amid the challenges faced by the team this season. Carlos Sainz, who started higher than Albon, encountered difficulties during the race due to damage sustained from contact with Oliver Bearman, finishing eleventh after failing to find a competitive rhythm.
Stake Kick Sauber
The Stake Kick Sauber team had mixed results, scoring points with only one of their drivers. Gabriel Bortoleto finished in eighth place after starting seventh. Notably, Bortoleto has consistently outperformed Nico Hulkenberg in the qualifying rounds over the last six races. Unfortunately for Hulkenberg, he faced a disappointing Sunday, having to retire before the race even began due to hydraulic system issues.
Racing Bulls
One of the notable performances came from Isack Hadjar of the Visa Cash App RB team. Starting from the pit lane, Hadjar managed to climb eight positions and finish in the points at tenth place. This impressive drive showcased his skill and determination. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson, his teammate, had a less favorable experience, finishing fourteenth after starting from eighteenth.
Teams That Did Not Score Points
Several teams left the Italian Grand Prix without any points. The MoneyGram Haas, BWT Alpine, and Aston Martin Aramco teams faced challenges throughout the race. Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin faced a significant setback when he had to retire due to a front suspension failure after hitting a curb. Additionally, Oliver Bearman from Haas received a ten-second penalty for causing a collision with Carlos Sainz, which further complicated his race.
Championship Standings
As the 2025 season progresses, the championship standings have become increasingly competitive. Here’s a look at the current top ten drivers in the championship:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 324 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 293 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 230 points
- George Russell (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 194 points
- Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari HP) – 163 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Scuderia Ferrari HP) – 117 points
- Alex Albon (Atlassian Williams Racing) – 70 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 66 points
- Isack Hadjar (Visa Cash App RB) – 38 points
- Nico Hulkenberg (Stake Kick Sauber) – 37 points
In the Constructors’ Championship, the standings are as follows:
- McLaren – 617 points
- Scuderia Ferrari HP – 280 points
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas – 260 points
- Oracle Red Bull Racing – 239 points
- Atlassian Williams Racing – 86 points
- Aston Martin Aramco – 62 points
- Visa Cash App RB – 61 points
- Stake Kick Sauber – 55 points
- MoneyGram Haas – 44 points
- BWT Alpine – 20 points
Looking Ahead
The next race in the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 21. As the championship battle heats up, teams will need to strategize and optimize their performances to gain valuable points in the remaining races. The competition remains fierce, and fans can expect thrilling action as drivers push themselves and their machines to the limit.
With the Italian Grand Prix now behind us, teams will reflect on their performances, analyze data, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in Azerbaijan. The excitement of Formula 1 continues, and every race brings new opportunities for drivers and teams to shine.
In summary, the Italian Grand Prix delivered exceptional racing, highlighted by Verstappen’s extraordinary performance, as well as notable efforts from various teams. As the season progresses, the pursuit of the championship title intensifies, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
