The storied Autodromo Nazionale Monza is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix weekend kicks off, promising drama, redemption, and a showcase of rising talent. With Oscar Piastri holding a commanding 34-point lead in the championship after a decisive victory at Zandvoort and Lando Norris sidelined by a heartbreaking engine failure, the focus now shifts to Monza, where the next chapter of this season’s title fight will unfold. But as the paddock readies itself, all eyes are also on the new faces and fresh narratives that are shaping this pivotal race weekend.
Oscar Piastri, who has notched up seven wins this season, arrives at Monza riding high on momentum. His triumph at the Dutch Grand Prix, combined with Norris’s retirement due to a broken engine oil line, has ballooned his points advantage from a slender nine to a robust 34. That cushion means Piastri will leave Europe atop the championship standings, no matter what unfolds at Monza. But the Australian faces an unusual challenge this weekend—he’ll be forced to sit out the crucial Free Practice 1 session, handing his car over to McLaren’s Formula 2 protege, Alex Dunne, as part of the rookie driver mandate.
For Piastri, sitting out FP1 is a calculated risk. The session is an important opportunity for drivers to fine-tune their setups and gather vital data, especially at a circuit as unique as Monza, where top speed and low downforce reign supreme. Yet, Piastri’s confidence remains unshaken. The Australian has repeatedly shown that he can adapt quickly, and with seven wins already under his belt in 2025, he has proven to be a master of maximizing limited track time. Can he extend his win tally to eight this weekend? The answer remains tantalizingly out of reach as the weekend’s action gets underway.
Stepping into the limelight for McLaren in FP1 is 19-year-old Alex Dunne, a name that’s quickly becoming familiar in both Formula 2 and F1 circles. The Irishman made headlines at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this season, when he posted the fourth-fastest time in his first-ever F1 practice, just 0.069 seconds shy of Piastri. Reflecting on that day, Dunne told BBC Sport NI, “It was a very special day for me. Even driving out of the pitlane and seeing the Irish flags waving... being on track and taking part in a F1 session with the best drivers in the world was super cool. It went pretty well too, which was special.”
Dunne’s return to F1 machinery at Monza is more than just a ceremonial appearance. He’s out to prove himself once again, but he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground. “I set the bar pretty high for the first one in Austria so if I don’t do better than I did there I’ll be a little bit disappointed,” Dunne admitted. “I feel very comfortable in the F1 car and in the sim it’s always been strong. Every time I’m driving I’m getting better and better, which is always a nice place to be in. I’ll have the attitude that a FP1 session is an opportunity to show what you can do, but it’s not the session to try and be a hero.”
Yet, for all the F1 buzz, Dunne’s main focus remains on his Formula 2 campaign with Rodin Motorsport. He currently trails championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli by 30 points with four rounds and eight races remaining, starting right here at Monza. Dunne’s season has been a rollercoaster—he’s won feature races in Bahrain and Imola and stood on the podium in Jeddah, Barcelona, Silverstone, and Hungary. But two costly penalties outside his control, including a disqualification in Austria for excessive plank wear and a lost win in Belgium due to a start procedure infringement, have kept him from leading the standings.
“I’ve always said my main focus is F2 and to do a good job,” Dunne shared. “With how things are at the moment, the best opportunity I can give myself of being in F1 is by winning F2. At the same time, every time I jump into a F1 car it’s almost like an audition and it’s important to do well in that to show I am capable of being in F1, but also show I am capable of focusing on the right things in F2 as well.”
The Irishman is realistic but optimistic about his F2 title chances: “It’s realistic, yes, but also difficult. Fornaroli is leading at the moment and he knows how to win a championship. To catch him I’m going to have to perform very well over the last four rounds. I think it is possible. When everything is correct I think myself and the team are the fastest.”
Dunne’s rise has not gone unnoticed at home. By becoming the first Irish driver to participate in a Formula 1 weekend in 22 years, he’s ignited excitement among fans and inspired a new generation. After his win in Bahrain, he spotted an Irish flag with his name in the grandstands—a sign of swelling support. “Seeing little kids there makes it nice. When you see you are inspiring that younger generation to try and do the same thing that you’ve done, for me that’s the nicest thing,” Dunne said, recalling the overwhelming attention he received at the Mondello Historic Festival this summer.
Meanwhile, another major storyline at Monza is Lewis Hamilton’s debut as a Ferrari driver at the team’s home track. The seven-time world champion faces an uphill battle after receiving a five-place grid penalty for speeding under double-waved yellow flags during a reconnaissance lap at the Dutch Grand Prix. The penalty, which Hamilton said he “was really, really shocked” to receive, was only communicated to him upon his return home after the race. “It’s obviously not black and white. The fact is, if you look at the report, I did lift [off the throttle], but to their liking, not enough. And so, yeah, that’s why it’s, I guess they’re saying not more, but to get the penalty and get penalty points, it’s pretty hardcore,” Hamilton explained in Monza.
Hamilton’s Dutch Grand Prix ended in the barriers after he lost control in damp conditions at Turn 3, a mishap he attributes to a combination of factors: “We had a downgraded gear shift which locked the rear wheels and spat the rear end out. But also it was spitting with rain. So I was like 10 millimetres wider or something like that, or 10 centimetres wider than I was the previous lap. So there are a combination of things. Either way, it’s not great. And I learned from it and moved forward.”
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains motivated to make an impact at Monza. “It gives me more to fight for. And I’m very motivated to make up those places regardless,” he said, embracing the challenge of his first Monza outing in red. The Ferrari faithful will be watching closely to see if Hamilton can deliver a memorable drive, grid penalty and all.
As the Italian Grand Prix weekend unfolds, the stakes are sky-high for all involved. Will Piastri strengthen his title grip? Can Norris rebound? Will Hamilton thrill the Tifosi with a comeback drive? And how will Dunne fare in his second F1 practice outing, all while chasing F2 glory? The answers are set to emerge as the action at Monza heats up, with every session promising fresh twists in this already unforgettable season.
