Max Verstappen secured his third win of the season at the Italian Grand Prix after a fierce contest with Lando Norris in the early laps. The race at Monza saw Verstappen take control and ultimately cross the finish line first, with McLaren teammates Norris and Oscar Piastri rounding out the podium amidst a controversial team order situation.
Start of the Race and Initial Challenges
Seventeen cars lined up on the Monza grid, with Verstappen starting from pole position ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly started from the pit lane following engine changes overnight, while Nico Hulkenberg retired on the formation lap due to hydraulic issues. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were under investigation for practicing starts in the pit lane, which violated the race director’s instructions.
Verstappen had a strong start, but Norris quickly challenged him, forcing Verstappen off the track onto the grass. Despite the pressure, Verstappen maintained control and defended his position at the first chicane, though off track. Norris expressed frustration over the incident, calling Verstappen an “idiot” over team radio and stating, “put me in the grass.” Red Bull instructed Verstappen to return the position, which he did by the end of the first lap, before fighting Norris again for the lead.
Early Lead Changes and Midfield Battles
By lap four, Verstappen reclaimed the lead overtaking Norris at Turn 2. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc moved up to take third place from Piastri, sparking disputes as Piastri reported Leclerc for cutting a corner to retain the position. The championship leader Verstappen later secured third place, overtaking Leclerc after a late braking maneuver.
Further back, George Russell was running fifth with Lewis Hamilton behind him, while other drivers such as Gabriel Bortoleto, Alonso, and Yuki Tsunoda were battling for points. An incident between Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll resulted in a five-second penalty for Ocon for forcing Stroll off the track.
Mid-Race Developments and Pit Stops
On lap 15, Verstappen led Norris by four seconds, with Norris holding a six-second advantage over Piastri. Kimi Antonelli overtook Yuki Tsunoda to claim ninth. Carlos Sainz received a warning for an unsafe return to the track after going off at the chicane. The first driver among the top ten to pit was Tsunoda, who later lost position to Oliver Bearman. Alonso and Bortoleto also pitted, with Alonso briefly gaining the upper hand due to a slow stop by Sauber.
Alonso’s race ended abruptly on lap 26 when he suffered suspension failure, prompting his frustrated radio message:
Suspension failure, this is so unbelievable,
—Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin driver
Both George Russell and his teammate came in for pit stops around lap 28 and 29, losing track position and rejoining mid-pack. The McLaren drivers decided to extend their stints, as rear-field battles intensified, including a close wheel-to-wheel clash between Tsunoda and Liam Lawson with the Red Bull driver coming out ahead.
Final Pit Stops Spark Team Orders Controversy
Charles Leclerc pitted on lap 34 but rejoined the race trailing Alex Albon, questioning Ferrari’s pit stop timing. Verstappen pitted on lap 38 for fresh hard tyres, surrendering the race lead to Norris. Hamilton was next in, also switching to hard tyres, coming out behind Russell. Verstappen then pushed aggressively, setting fastest laps while the McLaren drivers continued on older tyres.
A collision between Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman led to spins and a ten-second penalty for Bearman. Another incident involved Antonelli and Albon, with Antonelli being penalized five seconds for erratic driving after being forced off the track but later returning the position to Albon.
When McLaren pitted Piastri on lap 46 for fresh soft tyres, Norris was informed that his teammate would allow him to pass if he had a better strategy advantage. Norris’s slow pit stop gave Piastri the temporary lead, but then the team transmitted a decisive message to Piastri:
let Lando pass and then you’re free to race.
—McLaren Team Radio
Piastri contested the instruction briefly before moving aside for Norris, who quickly pulled away, escaping DRS range from the British driver. This exchange sparked debate over internal team tactics during the race’s closing stages.
Race Results and Championship Implications
Max Verstappen finished first, continuing his dominance with his third victory this season. Lando Norris came in second, ahead of Oscar Piastri, whose championship lead shrank to 27 points after the team orders episode. Charles Leclerc finished fourth, ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in fifth and sixth respectively. Points positions were rounded out by Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar.
The official race classification was:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lando Norris (McLaren) +19.207 seconds
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +21.351 seconds
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +25.624 seconds
- George Russell (Mercedes) +32.881 seconds
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +37.449 seconds
- Alex Albon (Williams) +50.439 seconds
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) +57.913 seconds
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +59.762 seconds
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +63.350 seconds
Other finishers included Carlos Sainz, Oliver Bearman, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, and Lance Stroll. Retirements were Fernando Alonso due to suspension failure and Nico Hulkenberg because of hydraulics problems.
Challenges and Controversies Impact the Race Atmosphere
The Italian Grand Prix was marked by tight racing and on-track aggression, but the unfolding tension within the McLaren team, especially regarding the late team orders, introduced an uneasy atmosphere. Verstappen’s composed driving secured victory amid intense pressure, while the McLaren teammates’ intra-team negotiations drew attention to the balance between cooperation and rivalry.
The race underscored the intense competition driving the 2025 Formula 1 season, where strategic decisions and split-second judgments on and off track heavily influence championship trajectories and team dynamics.
