Welcome to our regular post-race round-up, a final look at the action, where we’ll break down the best and the bonkers of F1 from across the weekend. From our favourite photos to the slickest fits we spotted, plus all the behind-the-scenes goodness you might have missed.

Completed in one hour, 13 minutes, and 24.325 seconds, Sunday’s race in Monza marked the fastest World Championship Grand Prix in Formula 1 history, eclipsing the previous record, set at this circuit in 2003, which was exactly 104.163 seconds longer. They don’t call it the Temple of Speed for nothing.

While the race may have been over in record-breaking time, there was plenty of action in and around it for fans to enjoy, as we notched a McLaren record 27th Grand Prix podium in 2025. From Lando’s Valentino Rossi-inspired outfit to Alex Dunne’s FP1 outing, and our public displays of affection for Italy, here are some of our favourite moments from the weekend.

Quote of the weekend
Been there, Dunne that

“Thank you to the team for the opportunity to get in the MCL39 again, I am extremely grateful.”

For the second time this season, McLaren Development Driver Alex Dunne was given a chance to impress the team, with the Irish racer replacing Oscar Piastri in the MCL39 for Free Practice 1 in Monza.  

The Formula 2 title contender followed up his competitive F1 debut in Austria with another solid showing, looking calm, composed, and confident in the MCL39. During a 26-lap stint, he completed the team’s FP1 programme, which included two sets of tyres, testing a higher wing level than Lando, and the standard combination of push-cool-push and continuous laps.

Following his FP1 appearance, Alex then darted back to the Formula 2 paddock for Qualifying, less than 90 minutes later. In a heavily disrupted session, which gave him little time to re-adjust to his F2 machinery, Alex still managed to qualify in sixth place.  

Best of social media 
A slice of Italy

There are countless reasons why we look forward to the Italian Grand Prix: the passionate fans, the high-speed circuit, and its unique location in the middle of the Parco di Monza, just a short drive away from the city of Milan. But few things get the team quite as excited as the food and drink on offer in this corner of the world… pizza, pasta, gelato, not to mention the coffee.

 

Monza mornings are for coffee and gelato ☕️🍧#McLaren | #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/oKLBPWZCQm

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 5, 2025

On Friday, we documented our favourite items on the menu in the Autodromo Nazionale Monza paddock, bringing you with us when we went for coffee and gelato in the morning, and at lunchtime, when we treated ourselves to pizza and pasta.

 

Paddock lunch menu: pizza and pasta 🍕🍝#McLaren | #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/wQ8VJnH8xz

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 5, 2025

Photo of the weekend
Picture perfect 

Practice what you preach. In the lead-up to this weekend’s race, we dedicated several inches of our website to lauding praise on the Italian Grand Prix, declaring our love for the circuit, the surrounding cities, the culture, and the cuisine. So, it was only right that we acted like proper tourists and captured some photographs for the McLaren scrapbooks, where time allowed.  

We arrived in Monza on Wednesday and headed straight out to explore the local area. We dropped our bags off at the hotel, grabbed our Polaroid camera, and headed to Milan and Lake Como for some exploring. Here are some of the best shots from our big day out. 

You may have missed
McLaren memories

Lando and Oscar both celebrated their McLaren anniversaries last week. Tuesday, 2 September marked three years to the day since Oscar was announced as a McLaren Formula 1 driver, while Wednesday, 3 September marked seven years since the announcement of Lando’s promotion from Test and Reserve Driver to a full-time Formula 1 race seat.

 

Reminiscing our favourite moments with these two 🧡#McLaren | #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/FXIbMTUfHE

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 6, 2025

To celebrate, we asked the pair to cast their minds back and share their memories from the announcement. How were they told? Who was the first person they shared the news with? And did they go out for a meal with family or friends, or enjoy a relaxing night in?

We also asked them to reflect on the years since. Both have already cemented their places in the McLaren history books, having helped us to a first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, but what have their favourite personal moments been?

Outfit of the weekend
True to his word

Lando has often cited nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion Valentino Rossi as one of his major racing influences, having grown up watching Rossi make history in MotoGP. The pair are friends away from the paddock and Lando has previously sported special helmets and race boots inspired by Rossi, but what about the Italian motorcycle racer's merch? 

ln4 fam, how big are the chances of lando arriving with this on thursday ?? pic.twitter.com/WIXg281rhp

— Ani (@Louisxsun28) September 3, 2025

Five months ago, he was gifted a special, limited-edition Valentino Rossi jacket, which, during the unboxing, he promised to wear for the Italian Grand Prix as a nod to his racing hero. Much to the delight of both driver's fans, Lando kept his promise and arrived wearing the lively number for media day on Thursday.

Moment of the weekend
A fast start

Somehow, a frenetic first few laps - in which the front four all fought between themselves and for the lead - ended with an identical front four.  

It began with all four cars going for first. Lando, from second, posed the strongest threat to Max Verstappen’s lead, but he was forced wide during the battle, while the Red Bull driver cut the second corner. This brought Oscar and Leclerc into the fight, but neither was quite close enough to make a move stick.

This allowed Lando to assume the lead when Verstappen’s team asked him to let the McLaren through to ensure they avoided a potential penalty for Verstappen leaving the track.

While Lando had gained a position, Oscar had lost one, falling behind Leclerc during the four-way fight. The McLaren and the Ferrari continued to trade third between them, as Oscar pulled off two stunning manoeuvres: the first around the outside of Turn 6 on Lap 1, and the second at the Rettifilo chicane on Lap 6, after Leclerc had briefly retaken third from him.

By this stage, Verstappen had clawed back first from Lando, thus reverting the order back to its original state.

What’s next?

Following an action-packed double header to close out the European season, we’ve got a weekend off from racing, which will allow us to head back to the MTC and prepare for the final eight races of the season.

Our next trip will take us to the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan, the location of Oscar’s second Grand Prix victory last year.