The Italian Grand Prix, the 16th race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, arrives at the Monza Circuit with the classification set for Saturday, September 6, at 11 a.m. (Brasilia time). The session, which determines the starting grid for Sunday’s race, will be broadcast live on Band, BandSports, and F1TV. Gabriel Bortoleto, a 20-year-old Brazilian driver, makes his debut as a Sauber regular and is Brazil’s highlight, delivering solid performances in Friday’s free practice, finishing 11th and 12th. Held in northern Italy, the race sees Ferrari as the home favorite, powered by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, while McLaren, led by Oscar Piastri, dominates the championship. The absence of Mariana Becker from Band’s coverage, replaced by Thiago Fagnani, also marks the event.
Monza, known as the “Temple of Speed,” draws thousands of tifosi, Ferrari’s passionate fans, hoping for the team’s 21st victory at the track. The classification promises intense battles, with drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen fighting for top spots.
- Brazilian standout: Gabriel Bortoleto represents Brazil after an eight-year absence of a regular driver.
- Live broadcast: Band, BandSports, and F1TV air the session at 11 a.m. Saturday.
- Ferrari at home: The Italian team is the biggest winner in Monza, with 20 triumphs.
- Iconic track: Monza blends high-speed straights with technical corners.
The Monza weekend reinforces the historical significance of the Italian GP, held since 1950, with only one edition in Imola in 1980.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s push for the grid
Gabriel Bortoleto, 20, is Brazil’s new hope in Formula 1. After winning the 2023 Formula 3 championship, he debuted as a Sauber regular in 2025, marking Brazil’s return to the grid since Felipe Massa’s exit in 2017. In Friday’s free practice, Bortoleto impressed, finishing 11th in the first session, outperforming teammate Nico Hulkenberg, and 12th in the second. His consistency on a demanding track like Monza, with its long straights and corners like the Parabolica, showcases his potential.
The classification will be a critical moment for the Brazilian, who aims to advance to Q2 or even Q3, as he did in the Dutch GP, starting 13th. His ability to manage tires and adapt to Sauber’s car will be tested on Saturday.
- Promising debut: Bortoleto is the first Brazilian regular since 2017.
- Solid performance: He outperformed Hulkenberg in Monza’s first free practice.
- F3 pedigree: His 2023 Formula 3 title paved the way for F1.
- Monza challenge: The track demands precision and speed from the young driver.
Bortoleto’s performance reignites Brazilian fans’ passion, who see him as a chance to echo the achievements of Senna and Fittipaldi.
A mirror image for the McLaren drivers 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 5, 2025
Both Lando and Oscar had issues with their right wing mirrors in FP2 #F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/LzxRiqGJlk
Classification schedule and broadcast
The Italian GP classification, set for Saturday at 11 a.m., will be broadcast live on Band (free-to-air TV), BandSports (cable), and F1TV. The third free practice, preceding the session, starts at 7:30 a.m., covered by BandSports, Bandplay, and F1TV. Band, which holds F1 broadcast rights in Brazil until 2025, offers comprehensive coverage with Sérgio Maurício narrating and Reginaldo Leme and Felipe Giaffone commenting.
Mariana Becker’s absence, a staple in F1 coverage since 2008, is felt by fans. Thiago Fagnani takes over reporting in Monza, part of a rotation that includes races like Bahrain and Miami. The broadcast is also available on Band’s website and Bandplay app, ensuring free online access.
- Available channels: Band, BandSports, F1TV, and Bandplay broadcast live.
- Classification schedule: The session starts at 11 a.m. and lasts one hour.
- Comprehensive coverage: Sérgio Maurício leads with an experienced team.
- Band’s rotation: Fagnani replaces Becker in several 2025 races.
The broadcast’s accessibility ensures Brazilians can follow every detail of the classification, focusing on Bortoleto and the pole position battle.
Ferrari and McLaren vie for pole
Ferrari, with 20 Monza wins, enters the classification as the home favorite. Lewis Hamilton, in his first season with the Italian team, led the first free practice, followed by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. In the second session, McLaren’s Lando Norris took the lead, but Ferrari remained competitive. McLaren, led by Oscar Piastri with 309 championship points, dominates the season, with Norris second at 275 points.
The rivalry between the two teams promises an exciting classification. Hamilton, with five Monza wins, aims to match Michael Schumacher’s track record, while Leclerc, the 2024 winner, seeks a repeat in front of the tifosi. Max Verstappen of Red Bull, with 205 points, remains a threat despite trailing in third.
- Ferrari at home: The team eyes its 21st Monza victory.
- McLaren’s dominance: Piastri and Norris lead the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.
- Hamilton’s experience: The Briton has five wins at the Italian track.
- Verstappen’s fight: The Dutchman aims to close the gap in classification.
The pole position battle will be a highlight of the weekend, with direct implications for Sunday’s race.
Monza’s history and significance
Built in 1922, the Monza Circuit is one of Formula 1’s oldest tracks, part of the calendar since 1950, except for 1980 in Imola. At 5.793 km, the track is famous for its high-speed straights, like the main straight where cars exceed 340 km/h, and iconic corners like Ascari and Parabolica. The Italian GP is a motorsport landmark, drawing thousands of fans and celebrating Italy’s racing passion.
Ferrari, with 20 wins, is the top victor, followed by McLaren with 11. Brazil has 10 wins, tied with Germany and behind only the UK, with standout performances from Ayrton Senna and Rubens Barrichello. The track requires a specific aerodynamic setup with low drag, challenging teams to balance speed and stability.
- Historic Monza: The track has been in F1 for 75 years.
- Ferrari’s dominance: The team has 20 wins, including 2024.
- Brazil’s legacy: The country has 10 victories, led by Senna and Barrichello.
- Technical challenge: Straights and corners demand precise car setups.
Monza remains one of F1’s most prestigious stages, blending tradition and speed.
Race expectations
Sunday’s race, at 10 a.m., promises excitement, with the classification shaping strategies. Ferrari, backed by the tifosi, aims to repeat its 2024 win, while McLaren seeks to maintain its dominance. Gabriel Bortoleto, with Sauber, has a chance to score points, as he did in the Hungarian GP, finishing 6th—his career best. Dry weather forecasts favor one- or two-stop strategies, with medium and hard tires as the main choices.
The classification will be crucial for drivers like Bortoleto, who need strong grid positions to avoid early traffic. Monza’s DRS zones aid overtaking but demand precision to avoid mistakes in technical corners.
- Podium favorites: Ferrari and McLaren lead the victory bets.
- Tire strategy: Medium and hard tires will dominate the 53-lap race.
- Bortoleto’s chance: The Brazilian aims for points on a tough track.
- Vibrant crowd: The tifosi create a unique atmosphere in Monza.
The 2025 Italian GP promises thrills, with Bortoleto representing Brazil and the championship battle heating up in the season’s final stretch.
