Verstappen wins 2025 Italian GP after early battle with Norris

Max Verstappen claimed victory at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza after an intense opening battle with Lando Norris, overcoming early drama to control the race and extend his winning record at the Temple of Speed. The Red Bull driver’s pace on both the medium and hard tyres proved decisive, while McLaren’s Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the podium in a race that saw penalties, wheel-to-wheel fights, and heartbreak for some of the home favourites.

Verstappen vs Norris: The Decisive Start

The race exploded into life from the very first lap. Verstappen got away cleanly from pole, but contact risk loomed immediately as Norris attacked into Turn 1. The Dutchman cut the chicane and was instructed to hand the place back, allowing Norris to lead briefly. However, by Lap 4 Verstappen used DRS to reclaim P1 with a bold move into Turn 1, as Norris locked up under pressure.

From there, Verstappen’s pace advantage became clear. By Lap 12, he had pulled over three seconds clear, putting himself out of undercut range. His first stint on mediums was perfectly managed before switching to hards for the final run to the flag.

McLaren’s Double Podium – But No Win

McLaren arrived at Monza with high hopes, but despite strong pace, they couldn’t match Verstappen’s consistency. Norris held second for most of the race, while Piastri had to fight hard early on, first losing and then regaining third from Charles Leclerc. The Australian’s podium keeps him in control of the championship fight, but Norris’ second place reduces the gap slightly after his Zandvoort DNF.

Ferrari’s Home Frustration

Ferrari fans packed the grandstands, but the Scuderia couldn’t deliver a podium. Leclerc started fourth and briefly challenged Piastri, but fell out of DRS range and came under pressure from George Russell. Lewis Hamilton, starting 10th after a grid penalty, carved through the field to finish sixth, showing strong race pace but unable to threaten the top three.

Midfield Battles and Penalties

The midfield was as chaotic as ever. Gabriel Bortoleto impressed again for Kick Sauber, running in the top 10 and ultimately finishing eighth after a long hard-tyre stint. Alexander Albon brought home solid points for Williams in seventh, while Kimi Antonelli’s home race ended with a penalty for erratic driving, dropping him to eighth on the road but classified behind Bortoleto.

There was drama between Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz, with the Haas rookie handed a 10-second penalty for causing a collision. Esteban Ocon also picked up a five-second penalty for forcing Lance Stroll off track.

Retirements and Incidents

Nico Hülkenberg’s race ended before it began, retiring on the formation lap with a technical issue. Fernando Alonso also failed to see the chequered flag, parking his Aston Martin after 29 laps. Multiple drivers had lap times deleted for track limits, underlining the fine margins at Monza.

Key Takeaways

• Verstappen’s control: Even after yielding the lead on Lap 1, his pace on both compounds was unmatched.
• McLaren’s consistency: A double podium keeps them in the title hunt, but they need wins to close the gap.
• Ferrari’s missed chance: Strong qualifying pace didn’t translate into a home podium.
• Midfield shake-up: Bortoleto continues to impress, while penalties played a big role in final positions.

Final Top 10

1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
2. Lando Norris – McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri – McLaren
4. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
5. George Russell – Mercedes
6. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
7. Alexander Albon – Williams
8. Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber
9. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes (penalised)
10. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls

The European leg of the season is now complete, with the championship heading to Baku. Verstappen’s Monza win reasserts his dominance, but with McLaren’s pace still strong, the title fight remains alive heading into the flyaway rounds.