Italian GP Preview: Norris's Comeback Bid, Piastri's Lead, and Ferrari's Home Challenge

Formula 1 heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the last European race of 2025. All eyes are on Lando Norris's potential comeback after his shock retirement at Zandvoort, while Oscar Piastri currently leads the Drivers' Championship by 34 points with nine rounds remaining.

Why it matters

This weekend at Monza, the 'Temple of Speed', promises high-stakes action. The championship battle intensifies with Oscar Piastri's strong lead, while Lando Norris aims for redemption. Ferrari faces immense pressure at their home race following a disastrous Dutch Grand Prix, further complicated by a grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton. The performance of Max Verstappen and the emerging talent of Isack Hadjar also add significant intrigue.

The big picture

• Piastri's Dominance: Oscar Piastri is in strong form, having dominated at Zandvoort and secured a substantial lead in the Drivers' Championship.
• Norris's Redemption: Lando Norris seeks to rebound from his unexpected retirement in the previous race, aiming for a strong performance.
• Ferrari's Home Struggle: Ferrari endured a difficult Dutch Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton crashed out, and Charles Leclerc retired after a collision with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. Compounding this, Hamilton faces a five-place grid penalty for the Italian GP due to a yellow flag infringement during reconnaissance laps.
• Red Bull and Racing Bulls: Max Verstappen secured his first podium since June at Zandvoort, signaling a potential return to form for Red Bull. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar impressed with his maiden podium, drawing considerable attention to his performance.

The track: Monza

Monza, known as 'The Temple of Speed,' has been a staple on the F1 calendar since 1950. This 3.6-mile circuit is characterized by long straights where raw engine power and low drag are critical, with cars reaching speeds over 200mph. It features three chicanes and three other right-hand turns. Prime overtaking opportunities are found into Turn 1 and the Ascari Chicane at Turn 8. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton jointly hold the record for five Italian Grand Prix wins.

Weather forecast

Monza is set for a dry, warm weekend. Temperatures are consistently forecast at 27°C across all three days, with no rain expected. The last rain-affected Italian Grand Prix was in 2008, when Sebastian Vettel achieved a surprising maiden win for Toro Rosso.

What's next

The Italian Grand Prix schedule includes comprehensive action, from practice sessions on Friday (Practice One at 12:30pm, Practice Two at 4pm), Qualifying on Saturday at 3pm, to the main race on Sunday at 2pm. Fans can expect an exhilarating race weekend as teams and drivers battle for crucial points in this pivotal stage of the 2025 season.