2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza: Ultimate Guide to the Temple of Speed

Formula 1 heads to Monza, the Temple of Speed and home of Ferrari for round 16 of the 2025 season. This iconic circuit, celebrating its 75th anniversary, promises high-speed action and intense competition.

Weather Forecast

The forecast promises hot and sunny conditions across Friday and Saturday with highs of 27°C. Sunday remains hot with similar temperatures, but more cloud around.

Circuit History & Stats

Autodromo Nazionale Monza, known as the 'Temple of Speed' for its long straights and fast corners, is another classic circuit that has been part of Formula 1 since the start in 1950.

Circuit Stats:

• Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale Monza; Monza, Italy
• First F1 race: 1950
• Lap record: 1:21.046, Rubens Barrichello (2004)
• Laps: 53 laps of 5.8km. Total distance 306km

What makes it special: The fastest track on the calendar, known as the "Temple of Speed." Long straights and heavy braking zones make it a frenetic race track, with the Ferrari-loving tifosi the icing on the cake. When Ferrari wins here, there is no place better.

What the drivers say about it: "Monza is such a great place, definitely one of the most incredible races on the calendar for a driver, and always such a thrill to race on ... it's a great test of nerve." -- Jenson Button

Race Predictions

Monza's long straights make it an outlier on the F1 calendar and a circuit that occasionally provides a surprise result. However, McLaren has won seven of the last eight races, and had the pace -- if not the strategy -- to win here last year.

As a result, it's hard to look past an Piastri victory that will further cement his advantage in the drivers' standings.

How to Watch

For fans in the U.S. only, watch live on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the UK live broadcast coverage is on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live, with highlights on Channel 4.

For news, analysis and updates, follow the coverage with ESPN's F1 team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Monza and on social media.

Session times below in BST (British Summer Time). Local time is Central European Summer Time (BST+1 hour).

Friday

• Free practice one: 12:30-13:30 BST
• Free practice two: 16:00-17:00 BST

Saturday

• Free practice three: 11:30-12:30 BST
• Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 BST

Sunday

• Race starts: 14:00 BST (live text commentary build-up from 13:00 BST on ESPN.co.uk/F1).

Championship Standings

Going into the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris was just nine points behind Piastri. But his race retirement and Piastri's win and point for fastest lap means the gap has been increased to 34 points with nine races remaining.

Verstappen stands 70 points behind Norris going into the weekend.

In the constructors, 324 points clear at the top, McLaren have pretty much got the title wrapped up.

View the standings

Key Facts

• Zandvoort was Piastri's first grand slam (a clean sweep of pole position, race lead throughout, race win, fastest lap), it was also the first by a McLaren driver since 1998, and the first by an Australian driver since 1966.
• At age 20, Hadjar is the youngest Frenchman to make an F1 podium, beating Gasly's record.
• This race last year was Franco Colapinto's first grand prix
• Piastri's 34-point lead is the largest lead by any driver this season, and the largest ever by an Australian driver at any point of a championship.
• Only two drivers have held a lead of 34+ points and failed to win the drivers' championship: Alonso who led by 40 points after Hungary in 2012 and Leclerc, who led by 34 points after Australia in 2022...

What Happened Last Year?

"Mamma mia! Mamma mia!" Last year was the fairytale story for Ferrari as Leclerc beat the McLarens with a perfectly executed strategy.

It was also Ferrari's last win at Monza since Leclerc won in 2019. Piastri and Norris had to settle for podium spots.

Who Will Win?

Monza's long straights make it an outlier on the F1 calendar and a circuit that occasionally provides a surprise result. However, McLaren has won seven of the last eight races, and had the pace -- if not the strategy -- to win here last year.

As a result, it's hard to look past an Piastri victory that will further cement his advantage in the drivers' standings.

Piastri is 34 points clear at the top and only two drivers have held a lead of 34+ points and failed to win the drivers' championship: Alonso who led by 40 points after Hungary in 2012 and Leclerc, who led by 34 points after Australia in 2022...