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06 September 2025

Piastri Leads F1 Title Race As Monza Hosts High-Stakes Italian Grand Prix

Ferrari’s special livery, Norris’s fightback, and multi-series action set the stage for a dramatic motorsport weekend at Monza and beyond.

The roar of engines and the buzz of anticipation fill the air as the world of motorsport shifts its gaze to Monza, Italy, for the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. Known affectionately as the Temple of Speed, this iconic circuit hosts Round 16 of the F1 calendar from September 5 to 7, 2025. But the action doesn’t stop there. This weekend is a motorsport fan’s dream, with major events also unfolding in MotoGP, Formula 2 (F2), and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Let’s start with Formula 1, where the championship narrative has taken another dramatic turn. Oscar Piastri arrives in Monza with a commanding 34-point lead over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Piastri’s seventh victory of the season at Zandvoort last weekend was a masterclass in consistency and composure, while Norris suffered his second DNF of the year after a heartbreaking mechanical failure in the closing laps. That misfortune not only widened the gap in the standings but also opened the door for Isack Hadjar, who seized his first-ever F1 podium. The stakes are sky-high for Norris, who’s eager to bounce back and close the gap on his teammate.

Ferrari, meanwhile, faces enormous pressure and expectation. After a disastrous double DNF at Zandvoort—where Lewis Hamilton crashed out early and Charles Leclerc was sent into the barriers by Kimi Antonelli—the Scuderia is desperate for redemption on home soil. The team’s SF-25 car will sport a special livery this weekend, paying homage to Niki Lauda’s first world championship victory 50 years ago. It’s more than just a race for Ferrari; it’s a celebration of heritage and a chance to rally the Tifosi behind a much-needed turnaround.

The weekend’s schedule at Monza is packed. Free Practice 1 kicks things off on Friday, September 5, at 5:00 PM IST, followed by FP2 at 8:30 PM IST. Saturday brings FP3 at 4:00 PM IST and the all-important Qualifying session at 7:30 PM IST. The main event—the F1 Italian Grand Prix—takes place on Sunday, September 7, at 6:30 PM IST (2:00 PM BST for UK viewers). For fans in India, live coverage is available on the Fancode and F1 TV apps, while UK audiences can tune in on Sky Sports F1. US viewers have options too, with ESPN and streaming services like Sling TV, Hulu+Live TV, and YouTube TV carrying the race. If you’re abroad and facing geo-blocks, VPNs such as ExpressVPN can help you stay connected to the action.

But the motorsport extravaganza doesn’t end with Formula 1. The 2025 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix also runs this weekend, with sessions scheduled from September 5 to 7. Marc Marquez sits atop the championship with a staggering 175-point lead, making him the clear favorite for the title. However, he hasn’t tasted victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 2019 and will be hungry to break that drought. Alex Marquez holds second place, 52 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia, while Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta are locked in a fierce battle for third. Acosta, who’s racked up four podiums in the last three rounds, is just 33 points behind Bezzecchi. Indian fans can catch every session live on Fancode or on Eurosport for TV coverage.

Meanwhile, endurance racing fans will be glued to the World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It’s a Ferrari showdown at the top of the standings, with the factory No. 51 crew—Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi, and James Calado—holding a slender 12-point advantage over the privately-entered No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari driven by Robert Kubica, Philip Hanson, and Yifei Ye. Cadillac, fresh off a breakthrough win at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, will be keen to upset Ferrari’s dominance. The WEC action runs from September 5 to 7, with Indian fans able to stream the event via FIA WEC TV for a weekend pass.

Formula 2 also makes its return after a month-long summer break, with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza serving as a pivotal round. Leonardo Fornaroli, racing on home soil, leads the standings by 17 points over Jak Crawford. History suggests that starting from pole isn’t necessarily an advantage at Monza—since 2017, only Oscar Piastri has managed to convert pole to a feature race win here. All eyes are on India’s Kush Maini, currently 13th in the standings, as he looks to climb the ranks and add to his points tally. F2 sessions run from September 5 to 7, with live streaming available on Fancode and F1 TV.

The build-up to the Italian Grand Prix has been electric, with storylines galore. Ferrari’s special livery and homecoming, McLaren’s intra-team rivalry, and the resurgence of underdogs like Isack Hadjar have all added spice to the mix. Fans are also keeping an eye on related news, from driver penalties and replacements to rumors swirling around the paddock. According to coverage on GPFans, "Oscar Piastri leads the 2025 F1 drivers' championship by 34 points after winning at Zandvoort; Lando Norris has suffered two DNFs this season." Ferrari, ever the sentimental favorite at Monza, is "aiming to bounce back from a double DNF at Zandvoort with a strong performance at their home race."

For those wondering how to catch every moment, there’s no shortage of viewing options. Free streaming is available in select countries—Belgium’s RTBF, Austria’s Servus TV and ORF, Germany’s RTL, the UK’s Channel 4 (for highlights), Australia’s 10Play, Canada’s CTV, and Italy’s TV8. Globally, F1 TV remains a top choice for comprehensive live coverage, provided it’s available in your region. And if you’re traveling, VPNs are the ticket to bypassing geo-restrictions and keeping up with the action.

As the engines fire up and the lights go out at Monza, one question lingers: can Norris mount a comeback, or will Piastri tighten his grip on the championship? Will Ferrari’s home advantage and special livery inspire a fairytale result, or will the pressure prove too much? With so many storylines in play and a packed weekend of racing across multiple series, fans are in for a treat.

For now, all eyes are on the Temple of Speed as the drama unfolds. Whether you’re a die-hard Tifoso, a McLaren supporter, or just a lover of motorsport, this weekend promises high-octane thrills and plenty of surprises. Stay tuned—Monza never disappoints!