September 07, (THEWILL) — Max Verstappen claimed victory at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, leading home McLaren duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, in what became the fastest grand prix in Formula One history. The Red Bull driver completed the 53-lap race in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 23 seconds, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s 2003 record at the same circuit.
Verstappen’s dominance emerged after early drama when both he and Norris went wide at Turn 1, with Red Bull strategically allowing the Dutchman to drop back before he reclaimed the lead on lap four.
The race’s most significant controversy developed during the late pit stops when McLaren’s strategy unravelled. Norris agreed to allow Piastri to stop first, but a wheel gun malfunction during the Briton’s stop cost him several seconds and handed track position to his teammate. McLaren subsequently instructed Piastri to return the position, echoing similar team orders from the previous season’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The Australian driver complied, allowing Norris to finish second and gain three crucial championship points.
Ferrari endured a subdued performance on home soil despite the passionate support of the tifosi throughout the weekend. Charles Leclerc battled Piastri early in the race but gradually fell away from the leading trio, eventually settling for fourth place ahead of Mercedes pair. The Italian team managed to maintain second position in the constructors’ championship but fell short of the dramatic home victories that have characterised previous Monza races.
The race established multiple records, with Verstappen also having set the fastest qualifying lap in F1 history during Saturday’s session. However, the sporting spectacle proved limited once the opening exchanges concluded, with minimal overtaking action among the frontrunners. The rapid race duration sparked discussion about current grand prix lengths, particularly following recent comments from F1 leadership about potentially excessive race times.
Championship implications remained significant despite Verstappen’s comfortable margin of victory. Norris reduced his deficit by three points following the McLaren team orders decision, though he still trails by 31 points heading into the season’s final flyaway races. The Dutchman’s return to dominant form at Monza showed Red Bull’s continued strength when conditions favour their package, setting up an intriguing conclusion to the championship battle.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
