Italy GP 2025 Technical Preview: Ferrari Aims High
At the “Temple of Speed,” Ferrari is preparing for the second Italian round of the season, aiming for a hard-fought victory in front of their home crowd.
Italy GP 2025 Preview – The Back-to-Back Concludes at Monza
The back-to-back race weekend wraps up this weekend with the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, running from September 5th to 7th. This is Ferrari’s home race and also the home event for Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Italy GP 2025 Preview: Key Features of Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is a permanent racing circuit located inside the Monza Park. It holds a unique place in Formula 1 history, being the only circuit to host a Grand Prix every year since the inaugural season of 1950.
Monza has undergone several layout changes over the decades due to its flexible track configurations, reaching its current layout in 2000. Known as the “Temple of Speed,” the track features at least four long straights where modern F1 cars can exceed 350 km/h, resulting in extremely high average speeds.
Monza features two DRS zones, each activated by specific detection points. The first DRS zone is located between Curves 7 and 8, exiting Lesmo 2, while the second starts after the final corner, Variante Ascari, continuing along the main straight. Let’s break down the track into its three sectors.
Monza – Sector 1
The first sector starts on the main straight, where DRS can be activated to reach top speeds. Curves 1 and 2 pose an initial challenge, as it’s easy to lock up the front wheels and even run onto the escape roads, which can cost valuable time or positions in a race. Exiting Curve 2 leads to a slightly curved straight toward the famous Variante della Roggia, marking the end of Sector 1 just before this chicane.
Monza – Sector 2
Sector 2 is more technical and features a mix of flowing and precise corners. The Variante della Roggia, a left-right combination at Curves 4 and 5, requires careful entry to maintain exit speed, with high curbs and deterrents in the escape route discouraging shortcutting.
The Lesmo curves follow, two consecutive 90° right-handers demanding precise front-end rotation to maximize lap times. After the second Lesmo curve, drivers can activate DRS on the straight leading to Curve 8, which begins Sector 3.
Monza – Sector 3
Sector 3 starts with the Variante Ascari, a technical left-right-left sequence at Curves 8, 9, and 10. A straight follows, leading to the final corner, the famous Parabolica, a variable-radius curve requiring precision before drivers head back onto the main straight to complete the lap.
Italy GP 2025 Preview: Optimal Setups for Monza
Monza demands a low-downforce setup to maximize top speeds on the long straights and achieve high average speeds across the lap. It is a rear-limited circuit, meaning the rear axle is more prone to degradation, and traction is crucial due to the stop-and-go nature of the track, which also stresses the tires.
Suspension choices vary by team, but generally, a stiffer setup allows cars to run closer to the ground, optimizing performance on the high-speed straights.
Italy GP 2025 Preview: Pirelli Tires and Brembo Brakes Analysis
Pirelli brings the same tire compounds as last year: C3, C4, and C5. Although Monza was resurfaced last year, the compounds are expected to perform similarly to 2024. Pirelli highlights that overtaking is more difficult due to reduced DRS effectiveness with minimal downforce, often favoring a one-stop strategy. Track evolution over the weekend also plays a key role, with Pirelli rating this factor 4 out of 5.
Brakes: Brembo rates Monza at maximum severity, 5 out of 5. The most demanding corners are 1, 4, and 8. Even though only 12% of the lap is spent braking, the high speeds make Monza extremely challenging for the braking system.
Italy GP 2025 Preview: Race and Possible Strategies
In 2024, Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari, ahead of McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Leclerc’s victory was achieved with a one-stop strategy, while several other drivers, including the McLarens, opted for two stops.
For this year, strategy will depend heavily on temperatures. On hot days, Monza often calls for two stops due to tire thermal stress. Safety Car interventions are also a factor, given the limited escape roads and numerous gravel areas.
Pirelli predicts Medium and Hard tires will be used the most in the race, with less risk of graining compared to last year when the track was fresh. Since pit stops are costly in terms of time, teams will aim to extend the first stint and minimize stops.
Italy GP 2025 Preview: Ferrari Seeks Victory at Home
Monza presents a real opportunity for top teams to secure a win, with the track favoring cars with strong straight-line efficiency, excellent traction, and maximum power units. Historically, this race is Ferrari’s chance to delight its fans and target its first home victory of the season. Charles Leclerc, who has two previous wins at Monza, has consistently performed well at the circuit.
Lewis Hamilton may struggle at the start, serving a five-place grid penalty from the previous Dutch GP retirement at Zandvoort. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Italy’s rising talent with Mercedes, appears highly motivated for his home race. He will need a clean weekend to maximize results, as first-year struggles with the W16 and challenging comparisons to teammate George Russell continue. The W16, however, offers strong traction and acceleration, potentially enabling both Antonelli and Russell to aim high.
McLaren remains the favorite, with championship leader Oscar Piastri entering Monza after a commanding win in Zandvoort and a bigger margin over teammate Lando Norris, who retired due to technical issues. Norris will be eager to return to victory and bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment.
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