The Formula 1 world is buzzing as the Italian Grand Prix at Monza approaches, and it’s clear that this weekend will be filled with drama, rivalry, and fierce competition.

McLaren, the dominant force of the season, is facing serious challenges from multiple teams, including Ferrari and Red Bull, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

But will McLaren continue their dominance, or will other teams disrupt their reign? Let’s take a closer look at the Friday practices and the stories that are already unfolding.

A Dramatic Friday: McLaren’s Continued Threat

McLaren is undoubtedly the team to beat, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showing solid form in recent races. However, as Friday’s practice sessions unfolded, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc showed impressive pace, indicating that McLaren’s dominance may be under threat. Norris, who has been chasing the championship for a while now, needs a solid result this weekend to keep his hopes alive. However, his car faced issues last weekend due to a chassis integration problem, which led to an engine failure. McLaren confirmed that the oil leak shut down the engine, and it’s now back at Mercedes for inspection. Norris is hoping the engine will be cleared for use this weekend, as he can’t afford another power unit penalty if he wants to stay in the title fight.

Ferrari, on the other hand, has been experimenting with a new rear wing, which could have a significant impact on their performance. The Italian team has been working hard to make up ground and their performance on Friday raised questions: Was this just a “glory run” for the fans, or has their new rear wing actually made a substantial difference? Ferrari’s performance on the day certainly put them at the top, with Leclerc finishing second in the first practice session, just behind Hamilton, and Carlos Sainz not far behind. The question is whether Ferrari can maintain this form throughout the weekend, especially when the pressure of qualifying and race conditions kick in.

Williams and the Controversy Around Sainz’s Penalty

In a significant off-track development, Williams has filed a review request with the FIA regarding Carlos Sainz’s penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix. Many, including some F1 fans and pundits, feel the penalty was unfair, arguing that Sainz had no obligation to concede the corner to Liam Lawson, as he was ahead on entry. The incident raised questions about how racing incidents are judged and what drivers can and cannot do when it comes to giving space to their rivals. While Lawson believed he was wronged, the incident has sparked a wider debate on the sport’s penalty system and what constitutes fair racing.

Additionally, there were reports about Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the F1 grid, with rumors suggesting that he could make a comeback with a team like Cadillac. However, Ricciardo has made it clear that while he’s open to driving other vehicles in non-competitive settings, he has no intention of returning to F1 racing. This decision marks the end of an era for the Australian driver, who was once one of the sport’s most beloved and charismatic figures.

A Mixed Day for Mercedes and McLaren

The second practice session (FP2) saw a mixed bag of performances from the usual front-runners. Mercedes, which has had its fair share of struggles in the past few seasons, continued to face difficulties, particularly in terms of engine performance. George Russell suffered a hydraulics issue, which led to him pulling over and ending his session prematurely. Hamilton, meanwhile, reported a significant drop in power, which hampered his ability to extract the maximum performance from his car. While Mercedes’ pace in practice was not where they wanted it to be, they still managed to put together some competitive times.

Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris showed just why he’s been a title contender this year. Despite issues with his engine last weekend, Norris demonstrated incredible pace during both practice sessions, finishing the day with the fastest lap. His performance was a clear signal to the competition that McLaren is still very much in the game and will be a serious contender for pole and a potential victory this weekend.

Perez’s Family Drama and Max’s Future

Off the track, there has been plenty of drama, particularly surrounding Sergio Perez’s father, Antonio Perez. Antonio has been vocal about his son’s time at Red Bull, making some bold statements to the media. He claimed that if Sergio had been given the same car as Max Verstappen, he would have been a world champion. This statement quickly caught the attention of the F1 community and sparked debates over Perez’s performance and his relationship with Red Bull. Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, was quick to dismiss the comments, stating that Perez’s struggles were not due to equipment but his own performance. The back-and-forth between the two fathers added another layer of drama to an already tense weekend.

Additionally, there have been rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s future. While the Dutch driver is currently a dominant force at Red Bull, the question of whether he could move to another team has been raised. The most likely destinations are Mercedes or Ferrari, but Verstappen has made it clear that he would only move to Ferrari if he was convinced the team could offer him a car capable of winning. For now, Verstappen’s focus remains on winning more titles with Red Bull, but the future of F1’s biggest star remains uncertain.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in Qualifying

As we head into qualifying, McLaren is expected to be the team to beat. With Norris in strong form and Piastri showing steady progress, McLaren’s chances of securing pole position are high. However, Ferrari, with their new rear wing and competitive performance in practice, will certainly be a threat. Red Bull, despite a slightly less competitive Friday, should also not be written off, with Verstappen and Perez both capable of performing well in qualifying.

One of the key aspects of this weekend will be tire management. The weather conditions are expected to play a significant role in tire degradation, particularly with the hard compound tires that many teams will use. Teams like Ferrari and McLaren will need to balance raw speed with tire longevity, especially in a circuit like Monza, where overtaking is challenging, and track position is crucial.

For Mercedes, the situation is a little more uncertain. With engine issues cropping up in both practice sessions, the team will need to address these issues quickly to avoid further setbacks. Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty also means that his qualifying performance will be even more important, as he will need to climb through the field on race day to have any chance of victory.

Conclusion

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza promises to be another exciting chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season. With McLaren looking to maintain its title challenge, Ferrari showing flashes of competitiveness, and Red Bull not far behind, the weekend will surely bring plenty of surprises. The drivers will need to be at their best as they battle for pole position and race glory, while the technical developments, including the new rear wings and tire management strategies, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. With a lot of drivers still in the mix for the championship, this weekend could be a pivotal moment in the season’s final stretch.