The 2025 Italian Grand Prix FP2 at Monza delivered excitement from start to finish, with Lando Norris posting the fastest lap in an intense practice session. McLaren’s pace was undeniable as Norris edged out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just 0.083 seconds, keeping the championship rivalry fierce.
Norris Shines in FP2 at Monza
Lando Norris demonstrated his skill early in FP2, taking full advantage of his McLaren/Mercedes package. After Oscar Piastri ran initial laps on a cracked mirror, Norris jumped to the top of the timesheets with a 1:19.878 lap on Soft tyres. His commanding performance set the tone for the rest of the session.
Ferrari Challenges McLaren
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were relentless in pursuit. Leclerc initially jumped to P1 on Hard tyres, while Sainz posted the fastest first sector to momentarily steal top spot. The session highlighted Ferrari’s ongoing threat at Monza despite McLaren holding the advantage in ultimate pace.
Performance and Key Moments
Max Verstappen struggled initially on Soft tyres, describing his RB21 as “very jumpy,” but recovered with a solid second attempt. Piastri managed P4 despite challenging conditions, while Hamilton and Verstappen rounded out the top six. Red flags briefly halted the session after Kimi Antonelli’s gravel incident at Lesmo.
Tire Strategies and Long Runs
Drivers switched to harder compounds for longer runs toward the end of FP2. Leclerc had a tense moment with a lock-up at Ascari, while Norris remained consistent, holding the top spot until the session concluded. This practice session provided a clear view of potential qualifying battles and race strategies.
Insights From Monza FP2
The FP2 session showcased the importance of tyre management, driver skill, and car balance. McLaren’s Norris and Piastri demonstrated strong single-lap pace, Ferrari remained close in contention, and Red Bull’s recovery highlighted the competitive depth of the field.
Summary
The 2025 Italian Grand Prix FP2 confirmed Lando Norris’ pace at Monza, with Leclerc and Sainz pushing the limits. Key tyre choices and consistent lap times set the stage for a thrilling qualifying and race day.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 8 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 10 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 13 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 14 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 15 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 17 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 18 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 19 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
Disclaimer: All times and session details are based on official FIA Formula 1 reports and may be subject to change.
Source: Fia