5 Storylines to Watch Ahead of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix
As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches the final race of its European leg, the paddock arrives at one of the sport’s most iconic venues: Monza. The Temple of Speed has seen everything—glory, heartbreak, chaos—and this year promises more of the same. From Ferrari’s homecoming under pressure to rising rookies making waves, here are five of the most exciting narratives to watch as the Italian Grand Prix takes center stage.
Norris Looks to Bounce Back at Monza
Lando Norris heads into Monza reeling from a heartbreaking retirement in Zandvoort, where a mechanical failure robbed him of a likely second-place finish. With teammate Oscar Piastri now holding a 34-point championship lead, the pressure is back on the Briton. Still, Norris claims the setback has given him freedom:
“It’s only made it harder for me… but it’s almost a big enough gap now that I can just chill out about it and just go for it.” Whether that mindset translates to results will be one of Monza’s most-watched storylines.
Hadjar Enters the Red Bull Conversation
After a quiet stretch since the Spanish Grand Prix, French rookie Isack Hadjar stunned the paddock in Zandvoort with a podium finish from fourth on the grid. It’s perfect timing. Red Bull’s second seat remains uncertain, and Yuki Tsunoda’s struggles continue despite his mid-season promotion. Hadjar’s Zandvoort performance puts him firmly in contention—another big result at Monza could tilt the scales in his favor.
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Ferrari Under Pressure on Home Soil
A double DNF at Zandvoort couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ferrari. They arrive at Monza—Italy’s racing cathedral—with questions swirling. Despite strong late-season form in 2024, the Scuderia has yet to win a race in 2025 and now sits just 12 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Last year, Leclerc triumphed with a clever one-stop strategy. This year? They need a turnaround—fast.
Tifosi Dreams: Can Ferrari or Antonelli Deliver?
The Monza atmosphere is electric, with thousands of Tifosi flooding the trackside in a sea of red. If Ferrari can’t deliver a home win, hopes may turn to Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian, who made his FP1 debut here a year ago, returns following a tough race in Zandvoort, where contact with Leclerc ended his afternoon. Still learning, still raw—but on home soil, the pressure and passion could push him to a standout weekend.
The Midfield Battle Heats Up
Zandvoort shook up the midfield. Alex Albon took fifth for Williams, while Ollie Bearman stormed from the pit lane to a career-best sixth for Haas. Racing Bulls, Sauber, and Aston Martin also picked up points. The result? A razor-thin gap between teams fighting for P5 to P9. Williams still leads that pack, but with Monza and Baku approaching, it’s crunch time. According to James Vowles, this is the stretch where Williams must build their buffer.
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