Ferrari outsmart McLaren as Charles Leclerc secures famous home Italian Grand Prix victory

Kieran Crichard
Ferrari outsmart McLaren as Charles Leclerc secures famous home Italian Grand Prix victory
Race winner Charles Leclerc celebrates with team-mate Carlos Sainz - Getty Images/Joe Portlock

In the last 30 years Ferrari have experienced both feast and famine at the Italian Grand Prix, the race that means so much more to them than any other. They won at Monza seven times in 11 years but before Sunday, the Scuderia had won just two races since Michael Schumacher left them in 2006.

On a sweltering day just north of Milan, Charles Leclerc first gave the tifosi hope and then exaltation as he followed up his emotional win at home in Monaco with his and Ferrari’s first victory here since 2019.

In Schumacher’s time at Ferrari, the team were a winning machine, synonymous with success. Leclerc’s time has been characterised by only sporadic triumphs and more often by inexplicable decisions and a general sloppiness. Drivers openly questioned baffling strategic decisions and winning opportunities were dropped rather than seized with both hands.

With Leclerc’s win on Sunday – his second of the season and his seventh in his career – that turned on its head, allowing the Monegasque to soak up the impassioned cries of ‘Il Canto degli Italiani’ as he stood atop the podium.

The emotions at the chequered flag were no less raw than after his home victory in the streets of Monte Carlo in May. Leclerc hailed an “incredible” feeling, following his triumph here five years ago. How much it meant to him was obvious to see in the beaming selfie he took on the Monza podium, recalling Fernando Alonso here 14 years ago.

“An incredible feeling,” Leclerc said. “I thought the first time would feel like this and the second time, if there was one, wouldn’t feel as special. But my god, the emotions in the final laps – just like 2019. Incredible.

“Obviously I want to win as many as possible, and the world championship as soon as possible, but these are the two most special and I have managed to win them this year. It is so, so special.”

With Leclerc fourth and Carlos Sainz fifth on the grid, behind a front-row lockout from a resurgent McLaren, it would have been more hope than expectation that the local fans would hear the Italian national anthem on Sunday.

This time it was McLaren who failed to capitalise on their opportunities here, as they have done several times this season. They did close the gaps in both championships but should be rueing how they approached what second-placed Oscar Piastri called a “painful” race.

Lando Norris looks disappointed next to winner Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris looks downbeat next to winner Charles Leclerc - Getty Images/Gabriel Bouys

Off the line, George Russell’s Mercedes, starting third, missed the first chicane, moving Leclerc into the podium positions. As soon as Piastri passed pole man Lando Norris for the lead at the Variante della Roggia, Norris got a poor exit out of the chicane, dropping him behind Leclerc. From then on Leclerc had the pace to match the McLarens, staying in touch with Piastri and keeping Norris at bay behind.

Yet it was Ferrari’s crucial decision to one-stop that helped him to victory. With just 15 laps left both McLarens had stopped twice. Leclerc pitting again at this point would have likely left him no better than third. Staying out until the end kept the triumph in his own hands, but he would need his tyres to cling on. With degradation on the hard tyres lower than expected Piastri did not even get within DRS range by the chequered flag, and the tifosi’s roars grew progressively louder as Leclerc closed in on victory.

Although we did not learn anything about Leclerc’s substantial talents in this race, we did perhaps witness the confirmation of a slicker, more decisive and impressive Ferrari. It is not too strong to say that Ferrari have, at points in the last decade, been strategically poor and occasionally inept. This transformation has not happened overnight, with Frederic Vasseur’s appointment as team principal in 2023 steadily and surely shifting the team’s direction of travel. At Monza they were everything they need to be if they are to provide Lewis Hamilton with the car he desires in 2025.

Charles Leclerc leads Lando Norris
Leclerc won Ferrari's home GP, but despite coming third, Norris missed out on bagging some important championship points in third, with Max Verstappen sixth - Getty Images/Mark Thompson

The win and its nature should provide some cheer to the seven-time champion, who finished down in fifth for Mercedes. The Briton was furious for missing out on pole on Saturday, qualifying sixth behind Russell. Hamilton may now be looking at his move to Ferrari next year at least a little more fondly after what transpired.

It is usually the case that if there is one race that Ferrari target, it is Monza. Yet for the rest of the season Leclerc does not believe that Ferrari will suddenly be the team to beat. It is, however, a strong step forward after their mid-season development woes.

“I think our package was working pretty well on a track like Monza. Whether it will be the same for the rest of the season, I doubt so.

“I still think McLaren are the favourites, but we have done a step forward that’s for sure. [The next race in] Baku is a pretty nice track for me, I quite like this track and I’ve been quite competitive in the past, so who knows? Maybe we can achieve something special again there.”

In a race that featured several hefty penalties and numerous comings together, Haas’s Kevin Magnussen’s 10-second time penalty for a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly means he picks up two further penalty points on his licence, which in turn means he will be suspended from the next race in Azerbaijan.

Oliver Bearman, who deputised for Ferrari earlier in the season and will be at Haas in 2025 would be the simple and obvious choice to step into the Dane’s seat.

Ferrari grab home victory: As it happened

04:21 PM BST

The thoughts of Lando Norris

“I feel he got way too close for comfort. We could both have easily been out in that first corner if I broke one metre later. If I could rewind, I would do stuff slightly differently. But it is what it is.

“Charles won by two seconds in the end and the fact he got ahead probably gained him two seconds over the course of the race. We couldn’t achieve a one-stop as our degradation was too high on the front tyres. That is a weakness for us at the minute.”

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We always review things. We are doing a very good job. Today was not our day and we didn’t get things correct but I wouldn’t say we got them wrong either.

“I certainly couldn’t have done a one stop as a second car, which is tougher than being the first car. Trying to keep with Oscar in the dirty air meant I had to use a lot more tyre. That is just the price I paid.”

04:17 PM BST

Ban incoming?

One man who is set to miss the next race in Baku is Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, who has incurred a 12th penalty point over a 12-month period meaning he is facing a one-race ban.

04:14 PM BST

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella speaking to Sky

“In terms of expectation and the impression of the drivers, and also the overtaking itself, we will have to take a look with some calm, have a review together with them, and then we will assess the situation. And if there’s any learning to take from that, we will take it for the future.

“It’s disappointing in the sense that we had the performance to win the race. But it was a race that was a very close race between a one and two. Most cars went for the two. I think for Leclerc it was a little easier to take a gamble on the one-stop because he was the car following.

“For us, with Lando, we had a lock-up on the front left which meant the tyre was going, so we went clearly on a two-stopper. With Oscar, it was more marginal, but he had and we had concerns as well, so we went on a two.

“We thought we would have time to recover the lead but Ferrari did a very good job. Leclerc drove very well, so we also have to acknowledge that competitors can do a good job and make, in this case, the one-stop work. So well done to Ferrari, but a strong weekend for McLaren, overall a very positive weekend.”

04:10 PM BST

The thoughts of Carlos Sainz, who finished fourth

“It has been a huge effort from the whole team to bring the upgrades but also to take the risks with strategy.

“We went through a tough phase with the tyres degrading but we made it work. Our numbers said it was possible but it was risky.

“We need to understand the next two races are similar to Monza. They have no medium or high-speed corners, which is where we struggle, so we might have a chance of winning the next couple.”

04:04 PM BST

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur talking to Sky

“It was a good weekend. The qualifying we were a bit disappointed, even if the pace was good. But the race went very, very well.

“From the beginning of the season, I think we are probably in better shape with race pace than qualifying, and it was true again today. Everything went well, and when it’s working like this, it’s perfect.”

On Ferrari’s tyre degradation: 

“Honestly, last year it was our biggest weakness and I think it’s one of the big advantages of the team this season. It was already the case last week in Zandvoort. We are quite consistent on the tyres, and the drivers are doing very good tyre management also. It’s a good feeling.

“We knew that doing one stop with the two cars, Carlos could help us on this. He was also helping us with feedback on the tyres. Honestly, I think everybody in the team played their role and did very well, and I’m more than happy for this.”

The Ferrari fans celebrate underneath the podium
Delight for the Tifosi - Luca Bruno/AP

03:59 PM BST

The thoughts of Max Verstappen, who finished sixth

“I thought we got the most out of the car in terms of position but not in the way we approached the race. The pace was not strong enough so we had to do our own race and had a bad pit stop.

“I think strategy-wise we didn’t optimise it. Some cars did a one-stop and we did a two-stop which was not the best. For most of the race we couldn’t run full engine power because of a problem so that doesn’t help. All in all a bad race.

“It would still have been a bad race with full engine power but we may have been more competitive. We were in no man’s land. If we don’t change anything on the car it is all going to be bad from now on to the end of the season. We have a lot of work to do.”

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez walk together after the race
A bad day for Red Bull - Mark Thompson/Getty Images

03:58 PM BST

Leclerc celebrating with the Tifosi

03:51 PM BST

Constructor standings

  1. Red Bull 446pts

  2. McLaren 438pts

  3. Ferrari 407pts

  4. Mercedes 292pts

  5. Aston Martin 74pts

03:49 PM BST

Driver standings after Monza

  1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 303pts

  2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 241pts

  3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 217pts

  4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 197pts

  5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 184pts

03:38 PM BST

Final classification

  1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

  2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

  3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

  4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

  5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

  6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

  7. George Russell (Mercedes)

  8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

  9. Alex Albon (Williams)

  10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

  11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

  12. Franco Colapinto (Williams)

  13. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)

  14. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

  15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

  16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

  17. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

  18. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)

  19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

DNF: Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

03:36 PM BST

Podium time

The Tifosi have filled the pit straight and the roar as Charles Leclerc emerges onto the podium is deafening, so much you can barely hear the start of the Monegasque national anthem.

As you would expect the Italians belt out their national anthem. Leclerc experienced winning the Italian Grand Prix in 2019 and gets to experience it again today.

In the cooldown room before they emerged onto the podium, both McLaren drivers were visibly frustrated, knowing that victory got away from them. Despite an incredible drive from Leclerc to make that one stop work, McLaren should have won that race.

03:35 PM BST

Race winner Charles Leclerc

“It is an incredible feeling. I thought the second time, if there was a second time, would not feel as special as the first, but the emotions over the last few laps were the same.

“I want to win Monza and Monaco every year and I have managed to do to. It is so, so special.”

Can Ferrari keep challenging for victories?

“I don’t know. Our package was working well on a track like Monza but whether it will be the same for the rest of the season I doubt.

“I still think McLaren are favourites but we have done a step forwards, that’s for sure.

“Baku is a pretty nice track for me, so maybe we can achieve something special there [at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix next time out].”

Charles Leclerc celebrates winning the Italian Grand Prix
Victory in Monza for Charles Leclerc - Peter Fox/Getty Images

03:34 PM BST

A very frustrated Oscar Piastri, who finished second

“It hurts. I’m not going to lie, it hurts a lot. I did a lot of things right today. There was a lot of question marks on the strategy going into the race.

“From the position we were in with the tyres looking like they did, doing a one stop seemed like a very risky call, and in the end it was right. Very, very happy with the pace, with the race that I managed to achieve. Just when you finish second it hurts.”

Was the one-stop strategy the right one?

“In hindsight, yes. But everyone’s a legend on Monday after the race or at the chequered flag, and today unfortunately we got it a bit wrong, and myself being a big part of that.

“We had everything to lose from being in the lead of the race. Charles could try something a bit different. He was going to finish third either way and picked the right gamble today.

“The mediums were getting destroyed and even the hards on the Red Bull at the start looked pretty dead. And my front left was pretty heavily grained. We just didn’t expect it to clear back up again, which it did. Painful.”

03:31 PM BST

Lando Norris, who finished third

“[Of course] Oscar caught me by surprise as he got past.

“I don’t know what I could have done differently. If I brake a metre later, I probably would have crashed.

“It’s something we will look at but Ferrari drove a better race, particularly Charles.

“We considered a one-stop strategy the whole race but it was not possible with the amount of graining I had.”

03:30 PM BST

Leclerc celebrates his win at Monza

Charles Leclerc celebrates his victory
Charles Leclerc has won at Monza and Monaco this season; his home race and his team's - Luca Bruno/AP

03:27 PM BST

Pure joy for Leclerc and Ferrari

03:26 PM BST

Happy Tifosi

The Ferrari fans explode with happiness
Charles Leclerc's win will go down well in Monza - Claudia Greco/Reuters

03:25 PM BST

Verstappen’s lead cut

Lando Norris has brought Max Verstappen’s gap at the top of the drivers’ standings down from 70 to 62 points, but the team will be very frustrated that they did not win that race, despite having the fastest car. Should McLaren have gone for a one stop with at least one of their drivers. Had Norris won the race, he would have reduced Verstappen’s lead to 53 points. Another race this season that McLaren could and probably should have won.

03:20 PM BST

Top five

  1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 25pts

  2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 18pts

  3. Lando Norris (McLaren) 16pts

  4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 12pts

  5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 10pts

03:18 PM BST

Leclerc wins

The Tifosi go wild as Charles Leclerc makes the one stop work and wins the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. How has he done that? Oscar Piastri comes home in second with Lando Norris in third. Norris took the fastest lap on the final lap of the race. McLaren will be wondering how they did not win this race with the fastest car.

03:17 PM BST

Lap 53 of 53- Last lap

Leclerc starts the final lap and, unless he makes a huge mistake, he will win Ferrari’s home Grand Prix. Piastri is still four seconds down.

03:15 PM BST

Lap 51 of 53- Three laps to go

Unless Leclerc’s tyres suddenly fall off a cliff Piastri is not going to be able to reel him in. Still over six seconds between the top two.

Luke Slater live from Monza:

“If, as seems increasingly likely, Piastri does not have the pace win, McLaren should surely swap the cars to help Norris’s championship?”

03:13 PM BST

Lap 50 of 53- Leclerc holding on

The Tifosi are cheering Leclerc on and Piastri needs to be taking more time out of Leclerc than he is doing.

03:12 PM BST

Lap 49 of 53- Five laps to go

Piastri is closing the gap to Leclerc quickly, it is now down to eight seconds as Leclerc is trying to hold on.

03:10 PM BST

Lap 48 of 53- Norris overtakes Sainz

Piastri is gaining on Leclerc but time is running out. He is going to need to take huge chunks out him but that is entirely possible with such a huge difference in the tyres.

Behind Norris gets the move done on Sainz with ease and is into third. The McLarens are on the charge.

03:07 PM BST

Lap 45 of 53- Piastri gets past Sainz

The front lefts are the ones that are the problem as Sainz is the latest to complain about it. Piastri is right behind him and gets the move done into the Ascari chicane. He is over 11 seconds down on Leclerc but will be a lot quicker. Will Leclerc be able to hold onto these tyres?

03:04 PM BST

Lap 43 of 53- Will the one stop work?

Ferrari are committing seemingly to just one stop. Piastri is just over three seconds behind Sainz but around 14 seconds off Leclerc. Will the Ferrari duo be able to hold onto these tyres towards the end?

We have just seen an image of the front right tyre on Leclerc’s car and it does not look great.

03:01 PM BST

Lap 41 of 53- Norris passes Verstappen

The McLaren man gets the move done before turn one and is into fourth. The two Ferraris are still out there and have not come in for a second time.

Luke Slater live from Monza:

“This has not been a terrible afternoon for Norris has been a slightly scrappy one. It looks like he will close the gap on Verstappen but it is in the air whether it will be a significant gap. A crucial final 10 laps in the offing for him here.”

03:00 PM BST

Lap 40 of 53- Norris losing time behind Verstappen

Norris tries to go around the outside of Verstappen but he cannot get the move done. He needs to get this move done quickly here.

02:59 PM BST

Lap 39 of 53- Piastri pits

The leader decides now is the time to change tyres and, like Norris’ stop, it is slightly slow. Both Ferraris have remained out there for the time being. Verstappen is currently in between the two McLarens, but will have to stop again.

02:58 PM BST

Lap 38 of 53- Piastri to pit?

Piastri says over team radio that he does not think a one stop will work as the front left is struggling, which was the problem Norris had.

Hamilton has pitted. Russell and Perez are at it again and the former momentarily is on the grass. Russell goes deep but holds onto the position out of Curva Grande.

02:56 PM BST

Lap 37 of 53- Norris close to Verstappen

Verstappen has Norris closing in on him and he is told over team radio to put up a strong defence. None of Piastri, Leclerc or Sainz have come in for a second stop.

02:54 PM BST

Lap 36 of 53- Perez brought in

Red Bull have brought Perez into the pits and comes out just ahead of Russell, who he has had a few battles with today. Perez is on a new set of mediums, Russell on the hards.

02:52 PM BST

Lap 35 of 53- Russell pits

Mercedes bring Russell in and he comes back on another set of hard tyres in 12th. It has not been a great day for Russell, who started in third.

02:50 PM BST

Lap 33 of 53- Norris pits

With his front left tyre not looking great, McLaren decide to bring Norris in. It was a slightly slow stop. He comes back out in sixth behind Verstappen, who will have to pit again. What do McLaren do with Piastri and Ferrari with Leclerc?

02:48 PM BST

Lap 32 of 53- Mistake from Norris

Norris has made a mistake into Variante della Roggia and goes straight up due to a lock-up. He now has Leclerc under a second behind him. Piastri’s lead out in front now is just under five seconds.

Luke Slater live from Monza:

“Another huge roar from the tifosi as Leclerc gets within DRS range of Norris for second after the McLaren lost 1.7sec through a mistake at the Variante della Roggia.”

02:47 PM BST

Lap 31 of 53- Will Norris need second stop?

Norris has just reported that his front left does not look good. Will he be thinking of a second spot?

Russell and Perez are fighting each other for seventh and eighth as they get very close into the first chicane.

Behind Colapinto, on his F1 debut, gets a move done on Gasly into turn one and is into 15th.

02:45 PM BST

Lap 30 of 53- Top five with gaps

  1. Piastri

  2. Norris +2.5

  3. Leclerc +2.0

  4. Sainz +12.0

  5. Hamilton +1.3

02:43 PM BST

Lap 29 of 53- Luke Slater live from Monza

“After the strange and slightly unsatisfying circumstances in winning his first race in Hungary you do wonder whether Piastri will want to prove he can win a race fair and square without any overt team orders. Obviously yes he will, but McLaren really need to think about Norris’s championship with Verstappen down in sixth.”

02:42 PM BST

Lap 27 of 53- Piastri turning it up

The Australian has great pace in free air at the front and is now over two seconds ahead of Norris after setting a series of new fastest laps.

02:38 PM BST

Lap 24 of 53- Verstappen into the pits

Norris has been told over team radio that he is free to race his teammate Piastri, with papaya rules. Papaya rules are pre-agreed rules on how the two McLaren drivers are allowed to race. Piastri is just under two seconds ahead of Norris, with Leclerc a second and a half further back.

Red Bull have brought Perez in, who comes back out in eighth just ahead of Russell. Verstappen gets past Ocon and into seventh.

02:36 PM BST

Lap 22 of 53- Verstappen into the pits

Red Bull bring in the current leader of this race for his first stop. He started on hard tyres and puts on another set, meaning he will have to do another stop to put on a different dry compound. It is a messy stop as there was a problem with the right rear so it was a 6.2 second stop. He comes back out in eighth.

02:33 PM BST

Lap 21 of 53- Top five with gaps

  1. Verstappen

  2. Perez +3.0

  3. Piastri +4.8

  4. Norris +1.6

  5. Leclerc +1.0

Verstappen and Perez yet to stop.

02:31 PM BST

Lap 20 of 53- Sainz pits

Ferrari have brought Sainz in which leaves the two Red Bulls out in front, who are yet to stop having started on the hard tyres. The Red Bull pit wall will be praying for a safety car right now. Sainz emerges in sixth, with the Mercedes of Hamilton just behind him.

Carlos Sainz into the pits
Change of tyres for Carlos Sainz - Mark Thompson/Getty Images

02:30 PM BST

Lap 19 of 53- More woe for RB

Ricciardo has been given a 10-second penalty for failing to serve a time penalty correctly as one of the mechanics accidentally touched the car he came into the pits and served the initial penalty. The mechanic knew what he did immediately. You cannot touch the car at all when serving a penalty in the pits.

02:27 PM BST

Lap 17 of 53- Piastri into the pits

McLaren box the race leader and comes out ahead of his teammate Norris. Ferrari have opted to pit Sainz, who has said over team radio that he feels these early stoppers will not be able to get to the end of this race.

02:26 PM BST

Lap 16 of 53- Leclerc pits

Ferrari do respond immediately but Norris has got the undercut done on Leclerc. Hamilton has also pitted. Piastri has stayed out but will come in at the end of this lap.

02:24 PM BST

Lap 15 of 53- Norris pits

McLaren do the opposite of Ferrari and pit Norris. A quick stop; just 2.2 seconds. Norris is back out into ninth, just behind Ocon, but he gets past Ocon into the second chicane. Will Leclerc respond?

02:23 PM BST

Lap 13 of 53- Norris managing tyres well?

Leclerc has dropped off Piastri by nearly three seconds and Norris is gaining on Leclerc, so much so he is now in DRS range. With tyre management so important in these conditions, has Norris done a good job of taking care of his tyres in the early stages of this sprint?

02:21 PM BST

Lap 12 of 53- Russell pits

Mercedes change his front wing and he drops back to 16th. He is onto a set of hards and it would be a long way to take this set of hard tyres, although he took a set of hard tyres a long way in Belgium.

02:19 PM BST

Lap 11 of 53- Perez passes Russell

The Mercedes driver has damage to his front wing and the Red Bull man takes him up the inside of turn one to take seventh place. Russell has been told to box at the end of this lap to change his front wing.

Up ahead Piastri is more than a second ahead of Leclerc, thus getting out of DRS range. Piastri has confirmed over team radio that he wants to stick to Plan A.

02:16 PM BST

Lap 9 of 53- Tyres holding on?

So much of the talk going into the race was about tyre degradation and in these high temperatures the degradation being high. However the feeling is that the wear on the tyres is not as bad as first feared.

Hulkenberg has been given a 10-second penalty for colliding with Tsunoda.

02:14 PM BST

Lap 8 of 53- Tsunoda out

We have our first retirement of the race as Tsunoda is told by his team to come into the pits and reyire the car. Clearly damage from Hulkenberg colliding with him was too significant.

02:11 PM BST

Lap 6 of 53- Norris loses DRS

Leclerc has DRS behind Piastri but Norris has lost it behind Leclerc. Sainz in fourth also does not have DRS.

A very early pitstop for Hulkenberg as he has to change his front wing after hitting Tsunoda going into turn one.

Nico Hulkenberg crashes into Yuki Tsunoda
Hulkenberg hits Tsunoda - Joe Portlock/Getty Images

02:10 PM BST

Lap 5 of 53- Frustration for Norris

He took the lead fairly comfortably in and out of the first chicane but Piastri got a great slipstream around Curva Grande to get the move done on Norris through Variante della Roggia. To avoid contact with his teammate, Norris got a slow exit out of the second chicane, which allowed Leclerc to get through.

02:08 PM BST

Lap 3 of 53- Verstappen up a place

The two Red Bulls are starting on the hards and Verstappen has made a place up into sixth. Perez, who is eighth, has said over his team radio that Russell has significant damage to his front wing.

Max Verstappen in action during the race
A place made up at the start for Max Verstappen - Mark Thompson/Getty Images

02:05 PM BST

Lap 1 of 53- Piastri takes the lead

Decent start from the McLaren duo as Russell goes deep into the first chicane. He loses a few places. Piastri challenges Norris into turn three and gets the move done on his teammate. Not only does Norris lose the lead, he is then passed by Leclerc beore the first Lesmo.

Russell has damage to his front wing and is down in seventh.

Luke Slater live from Monza:

“A huge cheer from the main grandstands as Leclerc chases down Piastri for the lead at the end of the first lap, up two places from his starting position. Are Ferrari back in this race now? It would seem so.”

02:03 PM BST

Lights out

Off we go in Monza.

02:00 PM BST

Formation lap

Unsurprisingly no-one is starting on the softs and it is unlikely we will see anyone on them at all throughout the race. All of the top eight have two new sets of the hard tyres and one new set of mediums.

The top six all start on the mediums but the two Red Bulls on the fourth row start on the hard tyres.

01:56 PM BST

Reminder of the starting grid

  1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

  2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

  3. George Russell (Mercedes)

  4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

  5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

  6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

  7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

  8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

  9. Alex Albon (Williams)

  10. Nick Hulkenberg (Haas)

  11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

  12. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)

  13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

  14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

  15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

  16. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

  17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

  18. Franco Colapinto (Williams)

  19. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

  20. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)

01:55 PM BST

Five-minute buzzer

We are not far away from lights out in Monza.

01:53 PM BST

F1 debut for Franco Colapinto

Williams' Franco Colapinto ahead of the race
Franco Colapinto has replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams - Luca Bruno/AP

01:51 PM BST

Max Verstappen speaking to Sky

“The balance is a lot more difficult (than last year) and a lot of other teams are faster than they were. It’s a completely different world.

“For us today it will be more damage limitation because you can’t change the car overnight. I think today will be tough. I think on pure pace we are not even faster than any car ahead of us.”

01:50 PM BST

Luke Slater live from Monza

“Monza as a racetrack his changed enormously over the decades but the fundamentals of the Temple of Speed remain the same. This differences this year have been a resurfacing of the track as well as a reprofiling of some of the kerbs, the most notable at the final Ascari chicane. It is now a corner that flows more with the raised kerbs leading to a less aggressive approach which is also, sadly, less exciting to watch. It used to be the case that a small misjudgment there could spit a car sideways but that is unlikely to happen today. Will it improve overtaking into the final corner? Who knows. The changes are also underlined  with the loss of many thousands of trees that were lost in summer storms of 2023.”

01:50 PM BST

Possibility of rain?

Oscar Piastri has been speaking to Sky and has mentioned the possibility of rain storms which could add another dimension to this race. With these very hot temperatures a sudden downpour could happen. As it stands there is a 40% chance of rain.

01:49 PM BST

George Russell speaking to Sky

“It’s very hot, a lot of unknowns, it seems to me like a lot of the tyres were graining on Friday, and I think if you push them too hard you will be falling off a cliff. Nobody has ran the hard tyres so that’s the big unknown, you may have a lot of degradation on the medium, but if you put the hard on you just keep on driving.”

On the long straight at the start:

“It will help [if we can get past the cars ahead] but Lando Norris is so quick at the moment, the McLaren is without a doubt the quickest car and they are doing a really great job, but there’s a chance and we will be going for it.

“If we don’t get ahead of the McLarens I think the fight for the podium is well and truly there, Max Verstappen is also a bit of an unknown, it’s been pretty strange to see their lack of performance in the last few races. You never wish anyone bad but it’s nice to be in this fight, and a few of us being able to compete with Red Bull now.”

01:46 PM BST

Fabio Capello in the house

Fabio Capello on the grid
Former England manager Fabio Capello in attendance - Luca Bruno/AP

01:44 PM BST

Anthem time

It is time for one of the best anthems around; the Italian national anthem, in front of the Tifosi.

01:43 PM BST

Zak Brown speaking to Sky

“Always nervous. A long run to the first corner. The field is incredibly tight so I am not anticipating a Netherlands repeat, although that would be nice. I think any of the top seven cars can win this race.

“The team orders are don’t trip over each other. We have a plan, discussed with both drivers. They drive for the team and are free to race.”

The McLaren mechanics wheel Lando Norris' car onto the grid
McLaren start one and two in Monza - Luca Bruno/AP

01:42 PM BST

Starts

McLaren have at times not had the best starts this season, including last weekend at Zandvoort where both Norris and Piastri had plenty of wheelspin and lost a place each at the start. Being out in front and not being in dirty air is going to be even more important than usual with the heat and potential of high degradation of the tyres. McLaren will be hoping for a good start today and come out of the first chicane in the same positions they are starting; first and second.

01:36 PM BST

Celebrities in Monza

Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz in the paddock
Now he is out of the US Open Carlos Alcaraz can attend the Grand Prix - Massimo Pinca/Reuters
Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs in attendance
Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs in attendance - Andrej Isakovic/Getty Images

01:32 PM BST

Lando Norris speaking to Sky

“I don’t think we expected it to be this hot. I don’t think it changes much. There are a lot of question marks about tyre wear. It’s going to be a tough race but I’m looking forward to it.”

On whether today is a day to take advantage of Max Verstappen starting back in seventh:

“Today is not any more special and it doesn’t mean any more. It’s another race and we have to score the points we can.

“If Max is further back, that’s a bonus but it doesn’t change anything. We will stick to our game plan.”

On potential team orders:

“All good, normal conversations. We are happy. We are excited as a team. We want to do well in the constructors’ and it’s just as much of an opportunity for that.

“We have been in this position before [on the front row]. We are relaxed. I know which way order-wise I would love things to be but we are both out here, we are both racers and will do our best.

“We are allowed to race. Of course, in the background and knowledge that we don’t want to screw each other over. In the interests of the race, we need to help each other out and not lose time.”

01:27 PM BST

One stop or two?

There has been plenty of discussion about what is the best strategy today? No-one knows how high the degradation will be in this heat. The one-stop is normally the strategy of choice around Monza but due to these very high temperatures some might opt for two stops if the degradation is high.

01:26 PM BST

Race results so far this season

Bahrain- Max Verstappen

Saudi Arabia- Max Verstappen

Australia- Carlos Sainz

Japan- Max Verstappen

China- Max Verstappen

Miami- Lando Norris

Emilia-Romagna- Max Verstappen

Monaco- Charles Leclerc

Canada- Max Verstappen

Spain- Max Verstappen

Austria- George Russell

Great Britain- Lewis Hamilton

Hungary- Oscar Piastri

Belgium- Lewis Hamilton

Netherlands- Lando Norris

01:24 PM BST

Sainz celebrating his 30th birthday today

01:21 PM BST

Front-row lockout for McLaren

01:21 PM BST

Luke Slater live from Monza

“Much of the talk and attention this weekend has been on a man who isn’t even on the grid today. Mercedes unveiled Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement yesterday morning with team principal Toto Wolff talking about how “proud” he was of the team’s line-up for 2025. That came after he smashed into the barriers during FP1 when deputising for George Russell.

“He was also competing in F2 this weekend, picking up a puncture and finishing near the back in the sprint. The feature race was a little better as he came fourth, after a tight battle with Prema team-mate Oliver Bearman. His superstardom has not quite led to him being mobbed by fans yet, with just a couple of autograph hunters around him as he made his way through the paddock earlier today. That will change soon enough.”

01:17 PM BST

Drama this morning

We have had two thrilling races in the feeder races this morning. In the conclusion of the Formula 3 championship, Trident’s Leonardo Fornaroli was crowned champion in the most dramatic of circumstances. His closest challenger, Alpine’s academy driver Gabriele Mini, thought he had the championship in the bag with two laps to go as he overtook Fornaroli, who then got passed by Christian Mansell, only to see Fornaroli get back past Mansell on the final corner to take back the championship.

In Formula 2 McLaren academy driver Gabriel Bortoleto, won the F3 championship racing for Trident last year, came from starting in last place to win the feature race in a sensational drive, aided by the timing of a safety car, to close the gap to current leader Isack Hadjar, who finished outside the points today, to 10.5 points. Kimi Antonelli, who was announced this weekend as George Russell’s teammate at Mercedes next year, finished fourth. Three rounds remain in the F2 championship; Baku, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

I would definitely advise you to go and watch those races back.

01:14 PM BST

Norris reviews his pole lap

01:11 PM BST

Luke Slater live from Monza

“It is another stiflingly hot day in Monza, as it has been all weekend and temperatures are expected to reach 34c. Track temperature just under an hour before the race is already 52.2c with very little wind. Naturally it does not make for the most comfortable conditions for those watching, or indeed the drivers. Pirelli are saying that it could be a one or two-stop race with the former being the fastest strategy.”

01:08 PM BST

Top five in the constructors’ standings

  1. Red Bull 434pts

  2. McLaren 404pts

  3. Ferrari 370pts

  4. Mercedes 276pts

  5. Aston Martin 74pts

01:07 PM BST

Top five in the drivers’ standings

  1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 295pts

  2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 225pts

  3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 192pts

  4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 179pts

  5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 172pts

01:03 PM BST

Starting grid

  1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

  2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

  3. George Russell (Mercedes)

  4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

  5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

  6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

  7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

  8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

  9. Alex Albon (Williams)

  10. Nick Hulkenberg (Haas)

  11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

  12. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)

  13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

  14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

  15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

  16. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

  17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

  18. Franco Colapinto (Williams)

  19. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

  20. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)

12:40 PM BST

Race day in Monza

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of the Italian Grand Prix from Monza. McLaren’s Lando Norris secured back-to-back pole positions yesterday in qualifying as he looks to win consecutive races after his victory in Zandvoort last weekend. Norris, who will be joined on the front row by his teammate Oscar Piastri, is excited ahead of today’s race despite not being completely happy with his final lap in Q3.

“To have a first and second when the field is as tight as it has been all weekend is a little bit of a surprise, but a nice one,” Norris said.

“My lap, it hurts me to say it, was not a great lap. My first one was. But still good enough for pole and still very happy. There are a lot of quick drivers behind in quick cars, so I am not expecting an easy race. Plenty of question marks but a lot of excitement, I’m sure.”

George Russell will start third, with the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz behind him in fourth and fifth respectively. Lewis Hamilton, who could not hide his frustration after qualifying, starts sixth with defending world champion and current championship leader Max Verstappen all the way down in seventh place. The Dutchman could not find an explanation for why the balance of his car was not right in the final part of qualifying.

The top three from qualifying pose for photos
Your starting top three for today's Italian Grand Prix - Daniel Dal Zennaro/Shutterstock

“Q3 was very bad on both of my tyre sets. I just picked up a lot of understeer so I couldn’t attack any corners any more. I had to back it out a lot mid-corner and you lose a lot of lap time like that. Somehow in Q2 it wasn’t that bad. I did a 1:19.6 at that point and we were almost the quickest.

“We know our limitations and problems but at that point I think we had it fairly under control. But I went into Q3 and the balance was completely out, and I don’t really understand how that happened.”

Today could have significant ramifications on the drivers and constructors championships. With drivers championship leader Verstappen down in seventh and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in eighth, today could be a huge day for Norris and McLaren. Norris is currently 70 points behind Verstappen but, with six places between them on the starting grid, today could see the big swing that Norris needs. In the constructors McLaren are just 30 points behind Red Bull and could overtake them today with a significant haul of points.

Strap yourselves in for a thrilling Italian Grand Prix from the temple of speed.

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