Monza, September 6, 2025 — The Italian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be a fierce battle between Mercedes and Ferrari. There is no clear sign yet of who has the upper hand, both for qualifying and the race.
In the first free practice session (FP1), Charles Leclerc was fastest for Ferrari. However, in the more representative FP2, George Russell struck back for Mercedes with the fastest lap.
The most intriguing part came during the long runs at the end of FP2. These are often seen as a key indicator of potential race pace for Sunday. Yet the results could hardly be less clear.
After adjusting for different stint lengths and tyre compounds, Ferrari and Mercedes are virtually level. Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc were exactly equal on pace (+0.00s), while Russell was just two hundredths of a second per lap behind. Even championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli was only 0.04 seconds off the pace per lap.
Is Different Energy Management Key?
With Monza's long straights and relatively few corners, energy management plays a particularly important role. The two leading teams appear to have taken slightly different approaches: Mercedes seems to gain more time at the beginning of the lap, while Ferrari appears to claw it back in the final sector.
Russell posted a 27.044s in FP2, the second-fastest time in the opening sector behind Pierre Gasly (27.039s). Ferrari, meanwhile, lost around one and a half to two tenths there, with Hamilton recording a 27.174s and Leclerc a 27.259s. Mercedes was also fastest of all in the second sector, with a 27.784s, while Ferrari lost roughly another tenth in Monza's most technical section, recording a 27.874s. In the final sector, however, the picture changed: Leclerc's 27.546s was around two tenths quicker than FP2 winner Russell's 27.721s.
It therefore appears that Mercedes is using slightly more performance at the beginning of the lap, while Ferrari is making up ground towards the end. Who should now be considered the favourite for qualifying and the race remains completely unclear. The gaps are incredibly tight, and the smallest of mistakes could cost several positions at the front.
McLaren Struggles, Red Bull Out of Contention
At the very least, it seems clear that Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to fight it out for the top positions. McLaren was around four tenths off the pace over a single lap in FP2. On the long runs, however, Lando Norris was only 0.19 seconds per lap off the benchmark.
Monza therefore does not appear to suit the MCL40 quite as well as the tighter, more technical circuits in Budapest and Zandvoort. Unsurprisingly, the Papaya team performs best in Monza's second sector, but it is losing too much time, particularly in the final sector. While McLaren has struggled with top speed and overall balance, Red Bull seems to be out of contention for victory, adding to their recent struggles.
Baca Juga
Red Bull mengakui masalah keseimbangan pada mobil setelah keluhan radio Max Verstappen di GP Italia. Pierre Wache menjelaskan tantangan yang dihadapi tim di Monza.
Ferrari menghadapi dilema di Monza: menambah kecepatan di trek lurus atau memperbaiki keseimbangan SF-26 yang dikeluhkan Hamilton, sementara Mercedes masih memimpin.
Charles Leclerc memulai GP Italia di Monza dengan memimpin FP1 dan P2 di FP2. Ia mengaku tahu kelemahan SF-26 dan fokus memperbaikinya.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!