MIGHTY MAX!

 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

photo credit: formula1.com

THE DUTCHMAN DOMINATED!

AND McLAREN HAD NO ANSWER AT ALL!

At the start of the race Max had to give the lead to Lando due to him cutting the turn 1 chicane but within a few laps time Max took the race lead back and never saw back. He dominated from start to end and continually increased his lead lap by lap and Mclaren just did not have the pace to ever catch up to him. He won with ease and took the whole grid by storm with the sudden pace he got over the McLarens.

Well for the McLaren team they just did not get the result they expected. They got outpaced by Max and had no strategy, not even the softs in the end to catch up to Max. On top of that the pit stop mayhem during Lando's pit stop caught up more attention. Oscar was given the first pit stop on the condition that Lando will retain P2 and Oscar will be able to cover off Leclerc but the 6 second pit stop for Lando caused the positions to invert after the pits which due to which Oscar was asked to give back the place which he found to be unfair. But the team had done the same in Hungary in 24 so Oscar had to oblige. In the end, McLaren got a decent result but still got beaten by the dutchman in the Red Bull. 

Next we head to Ferrari, who are second in the constructors mainly due to the fact that Mercedes and Red Bull are basically in the championship with only one driver as Mercedes has the rookie and well Red Bull has second driver's who basically can't drive that car. Hence, Ferrari got a decent result of P4 and P6 in which Hamilton made some good overtakes to retake those positions he lost due to the grid penalty. Overall, nothing more could have been done by the Ferrari team. They are the only team in the big 4 teams who have not got a single win this season.

Heading on to Mercedes, they had a idle race with George being behind Leclerc but always ahead of Hamilton and ended the race in a lonely P5. On the other hand, Kimi he fell quite a few races through the race, starting P6 and finishing P9, yet a good result for him considering the drought of points he had mid season. Overall, not where Mercedes want to be, considering their rivals Ferrari are going ahead in the constructors and Max is catching up to them with him exceptional driving. 

Red Bull, basically Max Verstappen racing team are having a good run of form with Laurent Mekies as the new team principal but still the second driver, Yuki is not performing still. He started P9 but ended up in P13, just terrible for him and there is suspicion that he might not retain his seat next year considering he is not able to score points and P19!! in the constructors just only ahead of Franco who came in mid season and has a terrible Alpine to drive. 

Heading on to the midfield...

Alex Albon of Williams as always just the best performer of midfield this season. He went from P14 to P7 in the race, which is just unbelievable considering how difficult it is to overtake in Monza. He is currently, P7 in driver's championship just behind the Ferrari drivers which is just jaw dropping considering he is in a Williams at the end of the day. On the other hand, his teammate Carlos Sainz finished just outside the points in P11. At the end of the day, just another brilliant result for Williams.

Next on Kick Sauber who have suddenly gone from the worst team at the start of the season to know somehow always consistently being in the points. So, even in this race Gabriel Bortoleto started P7 and finished P8 raking up some good points. He is showing why he won the F2 championship last year and is proving out be a brilliant driver. On the other hand, Nico did not even start the race and had to retire before the race even started. Overall, another decent haul for Sauber who's main focus in next year when they will become Audi. 

VCaRB is turning out with some incredible results this season and in this race again with Isack who went from the pitlane to P10 in the race, just incredible pace and overtaking by him. On the other hand, Liam made some moves to go up some positions in the field but  could not finish higher than P14. Well, at the end not a result VCaRB would like but it was damage limitation after the terrible Q1 exits they had. 

Well for Haas, they just lacked a bit of pace and strategy due to which neither of their drivers could score points and finished P12 and P15. 

It was same for Alpine who were damn slow due to their engines not having the same power as the others hence they finished P16 and P17.

As for Aston, Alonso was having a good race running well into the points until his suspension failed on him at the exit of Ascari and made him retire from the race. On the other side of the garage, his teammate Lance just did not have pace and finished last of all finishers. 

Overall, as always a very good Italian grand prix with the Tifosi cheering for Max at the podium. It had good overtakes with some brilliant racing. 

Next on we have the Azerbaijan Grand prix which is on a street circuit which as tight twisty turns and long fast straights. Due to its nature it is notorious for red flags and crashes. We will wait to see whether Max can continue run of form or can McLaren make a come back and win the Constructor's title in Azerbaijan. Only time will tell....