Lando Norris’ world championship bid was controversially kept alive by his McLaren team, despite a poor pit-stop threatening to deal the British driver another title blow.
Norris had been on course to finish as runner-up to runaway winner Max Verstappen until he dropped behind title rival Oscar Piastri following a slow change of tyres with seven laps remaining.
However, Piastri was ordered by McLaren to move aside for team-mate Norris, which the Australian did on the 49th lap of 53 at Monza’s Temple of Speed.
Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari, one place ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. Lewis Hamilton made up four places from 10th – after he served a five-place grid penalty – to finish sixth.
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F1 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Max Verstappen wins the Italian GP; Norris 2nd; Piastri 3rd
- Click HERE for the top-10 in Monza
- SWAP! McLaren tell Piastri to give second back to Norris
- PASS! Verstappen takes back first place with stunning move
- START! Verstappen forced to give first place to Norris
- READ: Meet the luckless F2 champions unable to land an F1 seat
Oscar Piastri, after finishing third:
22:04
,
Kieran Jackson
"A trickier day for us. There were quite a few learning points from the first part of the race and also towards the end. It’s inherently quite a unique track, so there are some things that we can improve on for next year and other low-downforce tracks later in 2025.
"In terms of the call to swap, ultimately, it was fair. We have things to discuss, as we always do with these sorts of racing situations. It's now time to refocus ahead of Baku.”
Alex Albon, who finished seventh:
23:59
,
Kieran Jackson
“Today we had a fantastic strategy and great car pace. I think when you have the two together, you're going to have a good time with it.
“Honestly, it was meant to be a tough race on paper but as we were the first car on Hard tyres, it was quite a comfortable race, and the car was nice to drive and really quick. I'd say it was one of the best Sundays balance-wise I've had all year.
“In many parts of the race we were just as quick as the top teams, so it was a great comeback from a tough qualifying.”
McLaren pair on their Italian GP:
23:00
,
Kieran Jackson
Debriefing our weekend in Monza ️#McLaren | #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/ht3zM5WshA
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 7, 2025
FULL RACE STANDINGS
20:00
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Alex Albon
8. Gabriel Bortoleto
9. Kimi Antonelli
10. Isack Hadjar
11. Carlos Sainz
12. Ollie Bearman
13. Yuki Tsunoda
14. Liam Lawson
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Pierre Gasly
17. Franco Colapinto
18. Lance Stroll
Retired. Fernando Alonso
Retired. Nico Hulkenberg
Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth:
18:00
,
Kieran Jackson
“I was really happy with it, a really good launch, I was happy with the position I had. I got close to George, in hindsight, we should have tried to undercut him at that point. We'll learn from that.
“After the penalty, to be able to do a solid drive, in front of the tifosi, it's unbelievable. I don't deserve to be on the podium today, so I won't, but I'll go out to the wall and see them.”
On whether a podium is possible this year: “I don't think so, Charles was giving it everything, Max is up there now, we don't have the pace of Red Bull, today they were rapid, or McLaren, currently we're fourth, a podium here or there, there's a chance to have that at some point, but in terms of pure pace, we don't have that.”
Lando Norris, after finishing second:
15:52
,
Kieran Jackson
“I always know it will be a good fight with Max, but didn’t have the speed today. First weekend where we’re a bit slow, but I still really enjoyed it.
On pit-stop: “No idea. I was there for quite a long time, we make mistakes as a team, today was one of them.”
On championship: “I did everything I could, couldn’t do a lot more. Max deserved it, second was our best result, just keep doing what I’m doing.”
Gap to Piastri is now 31 points...
Oscar Piastri, after finishing third:
15:43
,
Kieran Jackson
“Difficult beginning, not my best first couple of laps. It was pretty lonely from there, struggled a little bit. Car wasn’t exactly how I liked. Happy with the points, I’ll take it.
On the swap: “We went so long, the softs seemed good to put on. We stayed out for safety cars. Yeah... little inchident at the end but that’s OK.
“All in all, a lot of things to learn from this weekend.”
Podium!
15:37
,
Kieran Jackson
Spectacular scenes in Monza, with hundreds of fans on the main straight, as Verstappen takes to the top-step of the podium!
His second win in Italy this year!
TOP-10 IN MONZA
15:31
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Alex Albon
8. Gabriel Bortoleto
9. Kimi Antonelli
10. Isack Hadjar
Max Verstappen after finishing first on team radio:
15:25
,
Kieran Jackson
“Yes! That was unbelievable guys, well done everyone, we secured that really well.
“What an unbelievable weekend.”
A first grand prix win for Laurent Mekies as Red Bull team principal...
Verstappen's win!
15:22
,
Kieran Jackson
Fastest Formula One race ever!
With Max Verstappen’s winning time, that beats Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Monza record for the quickest grand prix in terms of average speed!
Max Verstappen wins the Italian Grand Prix!
15:19
,
Kieran Jackson
A supreme drive from the Red Bull driver! In complete control after his early overtake on Lando Norris! He wins in Monza!
Norris takes second after that late McLaren swap, with Oscar Piastri in third.
4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Albon, Bortoleto, Antonelli, Hadjar
Verstappen amused at McLaren swap (Lap 52/53)
15:17
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Kieran Jackson
Pretty funny radio exchange between Verstappen and his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
Verstappen: “Ha, they swapped just because of a slow pit-stop?!”
Piastri within DRS of Norris (Lap 50/53)
15:14
,
Kieran Jackson
This is big then, three points at play in the title race!
Piastri is 0.8 seconds behind Norris.
Meanwhile, Verstappen an astonishing 19 seconds clear in front!
4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon, Albon, Antonelli, Bortoleto
Norris takes back second (Lap 49/53)
15:12
,
Kieran Jackson
McLaren have made their call - and have told Piastri to let Norris by!
Engineer: “Let him by and then you are free to race.”
Piastri: “We said a slow pit-stop is part of racing. If you really want me to do it, we’ll do it.”
And he does!
But now they can race....
Lando Norris pits (Lap 47/53)
15:09
,
Kieran Jackson
Oh no!
Norris’ stop was 5.9 seconds - and Piastri is ahead of his teammate!
Wow! Will McLaren tell them to switch?!
Verstappen takes the lead...
Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 46/53)
15:07
,
Kieran Jackson
Stunningly quick stop - 1.9 seconds - as the second-placed Piastri dives in.
Norris stays out, but is now set to come in...
Verstappen poised to take the lead once again.
McLaren strategy questions (Lap 45/53)
15:07
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris and Piastri are continuing on, with the medium tyre holding up. The gap between Norris and Piastri is three seconds.
Are they just holding out for a red flag?
Hamilton up to sixth (Lap 42/53)
15:04
,
Kieran Jackson
The Ferrari driver comfortably passes Stroll, and then a lap later Ocon, at the first chicane.
Hamilton now trails Russell by 6.9 seconds.
Piastri, meanwhile, is closing in on Norris - the gap is four seconds.
And Verstappen is 12 seconds behind, with Norris still to pit. Red Bull in control.
Sainz-Bearman incident (Lap 41/53)
15:02
,
Kieran Jackson
“He just turned in front of me like I wasn’t there.”
Racing incident, me thinks. If one way, I’d say Sainz’s fault..
Sainz and Bearman collide! (Lap 41/53)
15:01
,
Kieran Jackson
That looked inevitable!
Both spin at the second chicane after contact, but both are able to continue.
A shame for McLaren: no safety car....
Norris stays out (Lap 40/53)
15:00
,
Kieran Jackson
Interesting. McLaren not responding yet, with Norris holding a 19-second lead over Verstappen.
Pit-stop overall total is around 25 seconds.
Hamilton, meanwhile, stops and comes out in ninth. “Great stop guys,” he says.
He’s got Stroll and Ocon to pass ahead of him...
Max Verstappen pits! (Lap 38/53)
14:56
,
Kieran Jackson
Red Bull blink first!
A quick stop from Red Bull and the Dutchman has the hard tyre on.
Verstappen drops from first to third.
When will McLaren pit?
What tyre will Norris put on? (Lap 37/53)
14:56
,
Kieran Jackson
Engineer: “Thoughts on the soft tyre?
Norris: “Yep well, opposite of the car ahead.”
TOP-10 WITH 15 LAPS TO GO
14:54
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Lewis Hamilton
5. Alex Albon
6. Charles Leclerc
7. George Russell
8. Esteban Ocon
9. Lance Stroll
10. Pierre Gasly
Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 34/53)
14:51
,
Kieran Jackson
Leclerc puts on the hards and drops from fourth to sixth.
Will Russell follow suit? And what about the top-three?
Verstappen's tyre is blistering (Lap 31/53)
14:48
,
Kieran Jackson
Interesting development.
While Verstappen’s times have not dropped, his front-right tyre is badly blistered - will his mediums hold up?
The top-four remain pit-less. Feels like they may all simply switch to softs at the end...
Verstappen’s lead now six seconds to Norris, who also has a six-second margin to Piastri.
Russell pits (Lap 28/53)
14:43
,
Kieran Jackson
The first frontrunner to pit is Russell from fifth.
2.9-second stop from Mercedes, and Russell drops to 12th.
Meanwhile, McLaren may well persevere with a soft tyre at the end, given the mediums are holding out.
Fernando Alonso retires!
14:40
,
Kieran Jackson
Oh no!
The Spanish veteran’s Aston Martin has a suspension failure. He makes his way to the pits, but he’s done and dusted.
“Unbelievable.”
TOP-10 AFTER 25 LAPS
14:38
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Kimi Antonelli
8. Carlos Sainz
9. Alex Albon
10. Esteban Ocon
Pit stops phase underway (Lap 20/53)
14:34
,
Kieran Jackson
Ollie Bearman, in 11th, pits, which forces Yuki Tsunoda in - but the Haas makes a move stick on track.
Alonso and Bortoleto have also dived in. When will the frontrunners?
Verstappen’s gap now an astonishing 5.5 seconds!
Norris concerned about left tyre (Lap 17/53)
14:28
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris says his front-left is graining, impacting his speed.
Verstappen, meanwhile, in cruise control. The gap is now 4.5 seconds.
Are we back in 2023 here?!
Lando Norris labels Max Verstappen an ‘idiot’ over controversial move at Italian Grand Prix
14:27
,
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris was left angry at Max Verstappen after a lively start to the Italian Grand Prix with the McLaren driver labelling the Red Bull star an “idiot”.
With tensions high as the Briton battles teammate Oscar Piastri for the F1 title, Norris looked to seize control of the Grand Prix with Verstappen in pole position.
Verstappen's lead builds (Lap 14/53)
14:24
,
Kieran Jackson
Impressive straight-line speed from the Red Bull, with Verstappen continuing to lap quicker from Norris - the gap is now four seconds!
Piastri, in third, is 5.6 seconds behind - while Russell has DRS on Leclerc in fourth but can’t get past!
When will we get our first pit-stops?
TOP-10 AFTER 10 LAPS
14:18
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Gabriel Bortoleto
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Kimi Antonelli
Verstappen extends lead (Lap 9/53)
14:17
,
Kieran Jackson
Some impressive speed early on from the Red Bull - Verstappen leads by 2.7 seconds from Norris, with Piastri 4.3 seconds back.
Race victory on the cards for Verstappen! He hasn’t won since Imola in May...
Piastri takes third! (Lap 6/53)
14:12
,
Kieran Jackson
Piastri does a Verstappen and goes around the outside of the Ferrari at the turn 1 chicane, and makes it stick!
Lovely move. No complaints from Leclerc.
Next up? Norris down the road...
Verstappen takes first place back! (Lap 4/53)
14:09
,
Kieran Jackson
What a move!
With DRS, Verstappen goes around the outside of turn 1-2 and makes it stick!
The Red Bull back in front! Does his speed allow him to get away?
Piastri wants Leclerc to give third place back...
Verstappen on the tail of Norris (Lap 3/53)
14:08
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris has not surged ahead thus far, with Verstappen right on his tail!
Piastri has a look at Leclerc, but nothing doing. The Aussie unimpressed with the Ferrari driver’s movement under braking...
Norris leads! (Lap 2/53)
14:07
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen does give first place back on the main straight - Norris leads!
And Leclerc takes third place back from Piastri at the first chicane - stunning move!
Top-10: Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Bortoleto, Alonso, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Antonelli
Verstappen keeps the lead but goes off track!
14:06
,
Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull pole-sitter doesn’t make the chicane, while Norris took a bit of grass on the straight but stays in second!
“What’s this idiot doing? Come on, he puts me in the grass!”
Piastri loses third to Leclerc, but takes it back after the second chicane!
Verstappen has not given the position back yet...
Nico Hulkenberg told to retire the car!
14:03
,
Kieran Jackson
Oh no!
Hulkenberg, who qualified 12th, has been told to box to retire the car.
Hulkenberg: “You serious?!”
The grid takes shape without him...
Formation lap
14:01
,
Kieran Jackson
So Max Verstappen takes the 18-car field on the grid away for the formation lap, with Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly starting from the pit-lane.
The top-13 are all on medium tyres, with Liam Lawson in 18th the only driver on softs.
One-stop race incoming, me thinks....
Here we go then!
Lando Norris:
13:59
,
Kieran Jackson
“To be honest I think everyone's straight-line speed is pretty intimidating to us, bar probably the Mercedes.
"It will be my best chance of victory off the line but it's still a long way, there are still overtaking opportunities and we can still do strategy things.
"I think we can still have better pace than the Red Bull today. The pace is going to be very strong today so I'm not expecting an easy race by any means."
Starting grid for the Italian Grand Prix:
13:58
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Kimi Antonelli
7. Gabriel Bortoleto
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Lewis Hamilton*
11. Ollie Bearman
12. Nico Hulkenberg
13. Carlos Sainz
14. Alex Albon
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Lance Stroll
17. Franco Colapinto
18. Liam Lawson
Pit lane. Pierre Gasly**
Pit lane. Isack Hadjar**
*Hamilton has a five-place grid drop after failing to slow down under yellow flag conditions at the last round in Zandvoort
**Hadjar and Gasly start in the pit-lane after taking new power units.
Italian Grand Prix
13:50
,
Kieran Jackson
Ten minutes until the final race of the European season gets underway in Monza!
Max Verstappen is on pole after his stunning lap yesterday, with McLaren’s Lando Norris on the front row and Oscar Piastri in third.
It’s a long old run down to that turn 1-2 chicane - will we see any action at the start?!
Kimi Antonelli, who starts sixth:
13:47
,
Kieran Jackson
It was pretty good (weekend so far). It was a shame because I started well in FP1 and I had good momentum and then in FP2, I ended up losing all of it because I went off so early.
"It felt like a new start yesterday morning in FP3, but I am happy with how I progressed during the session. It's a shame because I felt I had a bit more to give but we will try to do our best today."
Hamilton couldn't resist getting his phone out!
13:43
,
Kieran Jackson
"Ciao Tutti!"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 7, 2025
Lewis Hamilton capturing videos of his first race as a Ferrari driver at Monza pic.twitter.com/AGXd43pmIY
Time for the Italian national anthem in Monza
13:40
,
Kieran Jackson
One of the world’s most famous anthems is belted out art the home of Ferrari!
Quite the sight. Surreal moments, one thinks, for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the grid, as well as Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.
Driver Standings heading into Monza
13:40
,
Kieran Jackson
Piastri now has a 34-point lead over Norris after the Brit’s unfortunate retirement in Zandvoort:
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 184 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 151 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 64 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 64 points
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 37 points
10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 37 points
11. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32 points
12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 30 points
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 27 points
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points
15. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 20 points
16. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 16 points
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 16 points
18. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 14 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
COMMENT: Lando Norris must now change the habit of a lifetime after cruel F1 title blow
13:36
,
Kieran Jackson
The timing could not have been more piercing for Lando Norris. Just as the crestfallen McLaren driver trudged back to the Zandvoort pit-lane, Oscar Piastri was introduced onto the top step of the podium as the winner of the Dutch Grand Prix. The Brit was not hanging around for the national anthems; emotions and those papaya colours could not have been more juxtaposed.
Norris’s cruel retirement from second in the field on Sunday with eight laps to go, the result of an oil leak due to a suspected chassis issue, has changed the whole complexion of this season’s F1 championship race. A gap to teammate Piastri, which was at nine points pre-race – and was set to increase to 16 – now stands at 34 points. In a campaign of fine margins between the McLaren duo, it is a game-changing moment.
It feels like a big day for Norris if he wants to claw back his deficit.
Italian GP coming up!
13:31
,
Kieran Jackson
It’s a big day for Lewis Hamilton.
He starts in 10th, after that five-place grid penalty, but has shown pace all weekend - how quickly can he get up the order?
Still looking for his first podium for Ferrari...
Nico Rosberg on Norris-Piastri title battle:
13:22
,
Kieran Jackson
“When I was the favourite [in 2016], I was not able to win races anymore. I was so scared of losing the championship, it was mine to lose. The other guy is almost out of it.
“You’re so close to your big dream, you make many mistakes. This has now dropped off the shoulders of Lando, he started the season as the massive favourite but now it’s gone since last weekend.
I” think we’ll see a stronger Lando now and think we’re seeing it already. For me it’s Lando for the win this weekend and we still have a championship on our hands.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella:
13:18
,
Kieran Jackson
“It was a very tight session - the 20 cars were all close together.
“Both Lando and Oscar have done a very good job, especially Lando almost finding half-a-second. Good positions for the race.”
“Max has shown in Q3 that he had one tenth more than us. Fair play to Red Bull and Max but for the race, we are in a good position, and not forget about the Ferraris and Russell right behind us.”
Lando Norris in defiant mood as he eyes F1 title comeback against Oscar Piastri
13:11
,
Kieran Jackson
Asked if he believes Piastri now needs to suffer a DNF in order for him to win the title, Norris replied: “No because in the end, if he’s done a better job, then credit to him.
“That’s how I am. I can still win the championship without anything like that happening and that’s the way I wish to do it. It’d make my life easier if there were just some more drivers in between us now and again.
“We’re so dominant as a team that it almost makes my life harder, that’s probably the most frustrating part of it all.
“But it’s still the best man win and if it’s that way at the end of the season, I’ll respect that.”
READ: Lewis Hamilton looks to evoke spirit of Niki Lauda as he eyes Monza spark
12:59
,
Kieran Jackson
By Kieran Jackson in Monza
As ever in Monza, Ferrari’s scarlet-fuelled extravaganza which comes to town every September, the racing team of Italy are doing things a little bit differently. No stranger to audacious liveries and race suits, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be sporting a flick of white on their cars and sea blue on their t-shirts over the next three days.
And in a remarkable turn of fate, this Sunday will be 50 years to the day since Niki Lauda claimed his first F1 world championship. Decked in Ferrari colours, the Austrian legend clinched the drivers’ crown at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sunday 7 September 1975, to the acclaim of thousands of passionate tifosi supporters in the grandstands.
Pierre Gasly signs new deal at Alpine
12:53
,
Kieran Jackson
The Frenchman has penned an extension until the end of the 2028 season.
“I'm thrilled to commit my long-term future to Alpine. As a Frenchman, especially, driving for a French car company, makes me feel very proud,” said Gasly.
“Since I joined in 2023, I have always felt that this team is the right place to be for the future. Flavio's [Briatore] support and belief in me, François' [Provost] commitment to the Formula One project, as well as the people we have in Enstone made this a natural decision and I want to be here in years to come and deliver on our joint objective: to win races and world championships.
“We're all in this together and I look forward to continuing this special story.”
VIDEO: Hamilton on Ferrari fans
12:44
,
Kieran Jackson
F1 constructor standings heading into the Italian Grand Prix
12:38
,
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 584 points
2. Ferrari - 260 points
3. Mercedes - 248 points
4. Red Bull - 214 points
5. Williams - 80 points
6. Aston Martin - 62 points
7. Racing Bulls - 60 points
8. Sauber - 51 points
9. Haas - 44 points
10. Alpine - 20 points