- Race Winner: Max Verstappen dominated at Monza, converting pole position into victory. His performance was clinical, and the race went into the record books as the fastest Formula 1 race in history, further adding to Verstappen’s incredible legacy.
- Podium Finishers: McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the podium, finishing second and third respectively. However, the finish wasn’t without controversy.
- Team Orders at McLaren: Late in the race, Oscar Piastri was instructed to let Lando Norris through, as Norris was on fresher tyres and fighting for the championship lead. This sparked debates over whether McLaren had robbed Piastri of a deserved second place, though the team justified it as a strategic decision for the long-term title battle.
- Penalty Drama: Young Ferrari driver Ollie Bearman was hit with a 10-second time penalty for a collision with Carlos Sainz. This pushed him out of the points, a tough blow after a strong drive in front of Ferrari’s home fans.
- Championship Implications: Verstappen’s win closed the gap to the McLaren drivers in the standings. Norris’ second place allowed him to reduce Oscar Piastri’s lead in the championship to just 31 points, tightening the fight for the title.
⚖️ Carlos Sainz Penalty Overturned (Dutch Grand Prix incident)
- After the Dutch GP at Zandvoort earlier this month, Carlos Sainz was penalized with 10 seconds and 2 penalty points on his FIA super licence for colliding with Liam Lawson during a chaotic safety car restart.
- However, Williams F1 requested a review of the decision, presenting new camera footage (including Lawson’s rear-facing camera and Sainz’s 360° onboard).
- Upon review, the stewards declared it a “racing incident”, cancelling the penalty. This means Sainz regained his finishing position and avoided the licence points, which was crucial as he had been nearing a suspension threshold.
- The decision also sparked debate about stewarding consistency, with many fans praising Williams for pursuing justice in a controversial call.
👕 Audi + Adidas Partnership Announced
- Audi, preparing for its official F1 debut in 2026, confirmed that Adidas will be their official apparel and accessories partner.
- The multi-year deal will see Adidas supply Audi’s drivers, crew, and management with team gear, footwear, and lifestyle products.
- Fans can expect special edition merchandise and co-branded releases before the 2026 season starts, aligning with Audi’s efforts to build a strong F1 identity.
🚗 Cadillac’s 2026 Driver Lineup Confirmed
- Cadillac, another new F1 entrant for 2026, made headlines by revealing its driver pairing:
- Valtteri Bottas – experienced, technically skilled, and a proven car developer.
- Sergio Pérez – a race winner and tire management specialist with over a decade of F1 experience.
- Team boss Graeme Lowdon stated that Cadillac deliberately chose seasoned veterans over young rookies to ensure the team has reliable feedback and racecraft during the difficult 2026 regulation changes (which will overhaul car aerodynamics and engines).
- Both drivers expressed excitement about helping to shape Cadillac’s maiden F1 campaign.
👩🚀 F1 Academy – Rookie Test in Spain
- The F1 Academy, Formula 1’s women-only development series, announced it will hold its first ever rookie test at Circuito de Navarra, Spain later in September 2025.
- 18 young drivers (aged 15–21) have been selected to participate.
- The test will begin with physical and cognitive performance assessments before moving to on-track evaluations.
- The event is designed to prepare potential candidates for the 2026 F1 Academy season and also to identify possible “wild card” entries for the remainder of the 2025 season.
- This rookie test is also part of F1’s broader push to develop female talent and create a clear pathway to higher categories like Formula 2 and Formula 1.
✅ In summary, between 12–15 September 2025, the world of F1 saw historic racing at Monza, a stewarding reversal that helped Carlos Sainz, big commercial moves (Audi-Adidas, Cadillac lineup), and a developmental milestone for women in motorsport.
