F1: 5 Things We Learned From The Italian Grand Prix

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and third, with the top five drivers finishing in the same order they started the Italian GP.

Let’s unpack five talking points from the 75th edition of the race and the iconic Monza circuit just outside Milan.

5 – Borteleto back in the points

The Brazilian was back in the points this weekend after a memorable drive to finish eighth. At the other end of the garage, Nico Hulkenberg had to retire before turning the wheel in anger after a hydraulic issue. But the young rookie made up for that disappointment by finishing eighth for the second time this season and added crucial points to Sauber’s constructors’ tally.

4 – Hadjar puts in another sterling performance

The Racing Bulls driver followed up his superb maiden podium in Zandvoort last weekend with another points-scoring performance. He started 19th after a miserable qualifying session, resulting in a Q1 exit. He then battled valiantly to score the final point on offer and finished a commendable P10. The Frenchman is now the favourite to replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after the Japanese driver finished 13th.

3 – Ferrari failed in front of the Tifosi

The Italian team didn’t feature on the podium at Monza for the first time since 2022 despite Charles Leclerc’s best efforts. Last year’s Italian GP winner briefly ran in P3 after overtaking Piastri on the opening lap, but he didn’t have the pace and finished fourth. On the other side of the garage, Lewis Hamilton put in a close to vintage performance by finishing in P6 after starting 10th due to a five-place grid penalty. 

2 – Max Masterclass in Monza

There can be no denying the supreme performance that the four-time world champion showed this weekend. He secured the fastest lap in the sport’s history on Saturday to give himself the best opportunity to claim a third win at Monza in the last four years. The Dutch driver’s 66th career win was one of his best as he finished over 19 seconds ahead of the McLarens as the Red Bull’s set up proved to hit the sweet spot around the ‘Temple of Speed’.

1 – Was the McLaren team order controversial?

Well, it depends on who you ask. Norris was held back in the pits for a slow stop, and Piastri assumed P2, having pitted a lap before Norris. The Australian was told to give the place back to Norris, which he did. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella was steadfast in the team’s decision to allow their drivers to race fairly. “We also saw the values and principles we have in our team culture, with Oscar giving the position back to Lando before they were allowed to race again until the Chequered Flag,” he said. The final order means Norris reduced the points deficit to 31 points with eight races remaining.