There are few venues in motorsport as evocative as Monza, the so-called “Temple of Speed.” Once again, the Italian Grand Prix delivered a memorable weekend full of drama, passion, and some incredible performances—and a few hard lessons for others. In the build-up, Ferrari fired up the Tifosi with their strongest qualifying of the season, while the atmosphere buzzed inside and outside the circuit. But as we witnessed, Sunday’s race reminded us that sheer pace on Saturday is only one piece of the complex Formula 1 puzzle.
Carlos Sainz, starting from pole, embodied the determined resistance that Ferrari is known for, holding off Max Verstappen’s advances through the early stages. Watching the Ferrarista fend off the relentless attacks of the Red Bull was heart-pounding and brought out the best in Monza: passionate fans, raucous support, and a hint of hope that a red victory was possible on home soil. Yet, despite Sainz’s inspired drive and defensive masterclass, Verstappen ultimately proved why he stands atop the sport. Showing patience, intelligence, and a knack for seizing opportunities, he capitalized on a small error from Sainz to glide past and secure a record 10th consecutive win—a feat never previously achieved in F1. The Dutchman’s efficiency and adaptability are threats that rival teams must now find new ways to counter.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, shook off a tricky qualifying to complete a 1-2 for the World Champions, boosting his confidence as the season heads towards its climax. Yet the final laps belonged squarely to Sainz and Charles Leclerc. With nothing left to lose and everything to fight for, they staged one of the fiercest intra-team Ferrari battles witnessed in years. Some parts of the pit wall surely watched through their fingers as the two squabbled wheel-to-wheel, exchanging places and lock-ups. Ultimately, both finished behind the Red Bulls but cemented their status as elite drivers willing to push to the absolute limit for Scuderia Ferrari.
Among the weekend’s biggest stories was Alex Albon’s standout performance for Williams. The FW45, streamlined for Monza’s long straights, found itself in its natural habitat. Albon defended heroically under intense pressure from both the McLarens and Mercedes, snatching a valuable points finish that showcased the development and growing confidence at Grove. For a team still clawing its way up from recent years of struggle, Monza was a huge statement of intent, and it’s clear that Albon is maximizing every opportunity.
Turning to some of the toughest weekends, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes found themselves on the back foot. Despite Hamilton’s late race charge and his eventual points finish—after a tangle with Oscar Piastri—it was clear that the Silver Arrows lacked the ultimate pace to challenge at the sharp end. The gap to Red Bull may be narrowing overall, but Monza emphasized the need for Mercedes to find something extra if they want to prevent Red Bull’s supremacy from turning into domination for years to come.
Elsewhere, McLaren demonstrated once again that they are on an upward trajectory. Lando Norris and rookie Oscar Piastri raced hard, with Norris finishing just ahead of his teammate. However, some aggressive wheel-to-wheel moments had fans and team bosses alike holding their breaths. Lessons will be learned, but there’s no denying McLaren’s form: a far cry from their early season struggles. This bodes well for future battles—not just in pure speed, but in intra-team rivalry.
For other teams, Monza’s high-speed demands exposed weaknesses. Alfa Romeo and Alpine both had weekends to forget, with neither squad threatening the points. The Italian venue has a way of ruthlessly revealing which teams are most in tune with their cars’ limitations and strengths. In a season where the midfield battle is tighter than ever, these off-days can make a huge difference by the season’s end.
Ultimately, the 2023 Italian Grand Prix delivered everything a Formula 1 fan could wish for: record-breaking performances, wheel-to-wheel action, epic defensive driving, and raw emotion from both fans and drivers. As we leave Monza, the noise of the Tifosi lingers, and so too does the question: Who, if anyone, can stop Verstappen and Red Bull’s relentless march? For now, the only certainty is that Formula 1 remains sport in its purest, most spectacular form—nowhere more so than in Italy.
