Just like that, the last race of the European season has arrived. Following an exciting event in the Netherlands, the teams head south to Monza, facing one of the sport’s most famous and distinct challenges.
Norris’ Reaction to Zandvoort
The McLaren drivers have been extremely competitive in the 2025 season, and their rivalry intensified as they consistently finished first and second across four consecutive weekends.
Those results kept the championship battle intense and the point gap minimal, but a reliability issue for Lando Norris during the closing stages of the Dutch Grand Prix allowed Oscar Piastri to extend his lead to 34 points after another strong performance.
How Norris handles this setback will be crucial this weekend, with the Briton suggesting that the larger gap may permit him to drive more freely.
“It’s only added to the challenge and increased my pressure,” Norris stated. “However, the gap is now big enough that I can relax a bit and just go for it.”
While his mindset is crucial, achieving results will be essential, and Norris will be eager to close the gap this weekend in Monza.
Hadjar in the Red Bull Conversation
The position alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull remains a captivating topic this year. Yuki Tsunoda currently holds the seat but has faced the same issues as previous drivers, struggling to secure points.
Promoted from Racing Bulls earlier this year, Tsunoda’s experience was meant to facilitate car development and improve performance. However, with only nine points scored since his move – two from Zandvoort – his future is uncertain.
After a promising start as a rookie, Hadjar’s progression was slower post-summer break, earning just a single point since the Spanish Grand Prix. Yet, a remarkable podium finish in Zandvoort has placed him at the center of discussions for a Red Bull seat.
Another strong performance in Monza could significantly enhance Hadjar’s prospects.
A Crucial Weekend for Ferrari
The Italian Grand Prix holds great significance for Ferrari, especially following their double DNF in Zandvoort.
After a competitive second half of last season, where Charles Leclerc led in points post-summer break, Ferrari has yet to secure a victory this year, holding only a 12-point lead over Mercedes in the Teams’ Championship.
Leclerc clinched a stunning win in Monza last year, executing a one-stop strategy to outpace the McLaren drivers, but this time, they face difficulties ahead of their home race.
The Tifosi and Monza’s Historic Venue
A massive crowd gathers at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, with fervent support mainly directed towards Ferrari, similar to the Dutch Grand Prix’s backing for Max Verstappen.
The atmosphere is special throughout the weekend, particularly during the iconic podium celebration where Tifosi flood the pit straight with a massive Ferrari flag, showcasing the top three drivers.
The Shifting Fight for P5
The retirements of both Ferraris and Lando Norris opened opportunities for others to excel in Zandvoort, with multiple teams capitalizing on the situation.
Alongside Hadjar’s notable podium, Alex Albon secured fifth for Williams, while Ollie Bearman achieved a career-best sixth from a pit lane start. Haas also benefited with a double-point finish and Esteban Ocon finishing 10th, and both Aston Martins scoring in the top eight.
The results somewhat balanced each other out, with Racing Bulls only gaining three points against Williams, yet underscoring how well certain teams are performing and keeping the battle for the Teams’ Championship tight.
