At Monza, the so‑called Temple of Speed hosts the Italian Grand Prix as Verstappen, the current Formula One World Champion leader driving for Red Bull, returns to the track where he outpaced rivals last year. This year marks Ferrari’s 75th anniversary, a milestone celebrated amid the year’s high drama and fierce competition.
Verstappen arrives in Italy at a peak moment, with the final European round of the season looming and the Dutch driver holding a commanding position atop the standings in the world of motorsport. His path to a second title appears clear, backed by a comfortable margin over his fiercest rivals and, for the first time in his career, a streak of four straight victories spanning the French, Hungarian, Belgian, and Dutch Grands Prix.
He extends his lead with a victory that mirrors Red Bull’s standout form from Spa, a circuit that fits Monza’s high‑speed character more than the classic twists of Zandvoort. Verstappen again claimed the win last weekend, facing renewed challenges from the home crowd and a series of strategic events that kept the race exciting from start to finish.
The Italian Grand Prix will also spotlight the recovery arc for Mercedes and Ferrari, the latter aiming to reclaim the momentum it held earlier in the season when Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sealed successive wins in July. Ferrari, nicknamed Scuderia, has faced setbacks, including a costly wheel‑change mishap in a recent race, and there are talks of the 55 car potentially taking a power‑unit swap this weekend, which could affect its starting grid position.
Monza’s 5,793‑meter layout features just eleven corners and demands the lowest downforce setup of the year, setting the stage for overtaking opportunities. The atmosphere remains electric, in part because Monza’s long straights can erase gaps in a way similar to the famous 2021 incident where Verstappen and Hamilton collided near the pit exit, a moment that lingered in the memory banks of fans and engineers alike.
Entering the race with a five‑point lead, Verstappen’s season has seen him weather penalties and intense scrutiny, including a shock three‑place grid drop that affected the following round in Russia. The season’s storylines also include Ricciardo’s surprising triumph with McLaren, a victory that came as the driver prepared to leave the team, with his compatriot Oscar Piastri stepping into the seat for the coming campaigns.
Gasly’s performance with AlphaTauri in 2020 remains a reference point for dramatic comebacks, particularly his one‑on‑one victory against Sainz that is often cited as a turning moment in McLaren’s renaissance. Ahead of this high‑octane weekend, Charles Leclerc endured a concerning crash during practice, a reminder that Ferrari’s exploits at Monza have not always aligned with the team’s expectations, even as the crowd celebrated the historic Scuderia in its long‑standing tradition.
As Ferrari marks its 75th anniversary since the creation of its first car, Leclerc and Sainz will bring special touches to their livery, including yellow accents on their numbers to honor the milestone. The celebration adds extra drama to a season already defined by intense competition and the quest to stay ahead in the standings. This moment also underlines the legacy of the Maranello factory, whose heritage continues to influence every corner of the track and every tactical decision on race day.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso arrives at Monza in strong form, having collected points in ten straight World Championship races. The Spaniard’s streak, which stretched back to the Spanish Grand Prix, has him within striking distance of teammate Esteban Ocon, creating a compelling intra‑team dynamic as the season advances. Alonso’s presence adds another layer of intrigue to a circuit known for its speed and precision, where every bend and overtaking opportunity is a test of nerve and skill.
Looking ahead, the championship moves beyond Europe after this weekend, with the season continuing in Asia at the Singapore Grand Prix from September 30 to October 2, where teams will push hard to close the final gaps in the standings and chase vital championship points across the global calendar.