The Italian Grand Prix at Monza delivered a captivating race weekend, diverging from the typical Red Bull dominance seen in many other rounds this Formula 1 season. Ferrari, buoyed by the passionate home crowd, mounted their strongest challenge yet, pushing the championship leaders to their limits in a thrilling display of speed and strategy.
Unlike the preceding Miami Grand Prix in May, this event unfolded under consistently dry conditions, allowing cars to push the boundaries of performance on one of the calendar’s fastest circuits. While many drivers struggled to extract maximum pace from their machinery, several individuals rose above the challenges, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. Their performances at Monza provided a vivid reminder of Formula 1’s inherent drama and the sheer talent behind the wheel.
Here, we provide an in-depth analysis and the RaceFans driver ratings for the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, evaluating each driver’s weekend performance with a focus on their qualifying efforts, race craft, strategic decisions, and overall impact on the outcome.
Max Verstappen – 7/10: A Historic Triumph For Red Bull’s Reigning Champion
Qualified: 2nd (+3 places ahead of team mate, -0.381s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: Winner (+1 place ahead of team mate)
- Earned a €500 fine for pit speeding in FP2, a minor blip in an otherwise flawless weekend.
- Missed out on pole position by an incredibly narrow margin of just 0.013s, highlighting the intensity of the qualifying battle.
- Maintained second place during the initial laps, patiently challenging Carlos Sainz for the lead before executing a decisive overtake on lap 15.
- After pitting for hard tyres, he smoothly passed Lewis Hamilton to reclaim the lead, steadily building a significant gap over the chasing pack.
- Established a commanding lead of almost 13 seconds, demonstrating unparalleled control, before being instructed to manage his pace and cool the car in the closing laps.
- Secured a record-breaking tenth consecutive Grand Prix victory, finishing a remarkable six seconds ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez, cementing his place in F1 history.
Max Verstappen’s performance at the Italian Grand Prix was nothing short of legendary. On a weekend where he rewrote the Formula 1 record books, his tenth consecutive victory at Monza was a testament to both his exceptional talent and the Red Bull RB19’s formidable pace. While he narrowly missed out on pole position in a thrilling qualifying session, his race craft on Sunday was a masterclass in patience and execution. Verstappen wisely bided his time in second place during the early phase, allowing the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz to manage the initial tire degradation before launching his decisive attack. Once in the lead on lap 15, his victory never seemed in doubt. He effortlessly dictated the pace, managing his tyres and building a substantial lead, even having the luxury of slowing down in the final laps to preserve the car. This historic triumph further solidified his dominant position in the championship, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure on any circuit.
Sergio Perez – 5/10: Battling Back for a Red Bull One-Two
Qualified: 5th (-3 places behind team mate, +0.381s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 2nd (-1 place behind team mate)
- Crashed lightly out of FP2 after a mistake at the Ascari chicane, setting a challenging tone for his weekend.
- Missed the final third of FP3 due to a power unit leak, further hindering his preparation and setup time.
- Qualified a disappointing fifth behind George Russell, then spent the initial 16 laps of the race trying to find a way past the Mercedes before successfully making the move.
- After pitting for hard tyres, he expertly caught and passed Charles Leclerc, securing third position.
- Applied sustained pressure on Carlos Sainz, engaging in a thrilling battle before ultimately claiming second place.
- Finished six seconds behind his dominant teammate, Max Verstappen, ensuring a crucial one-two finish for Red Bull Racing, albeit after a hard-fought recovery drive.
While his teammate continued to etch his name into the annals of Formula 1 history, Sergio Perez’s Italian Grand Prix weekend again highlighted his struggles to match Verstappen’s consistency. From an early crash in Friday practice at Ascari to being out-qualified by George Russell’s Mercedes, Perez consistently found himself with an uphill battle on Sunday. In fairness, navigating through the challenging midfield of Russell and the two Ferraris at Monza was no easy task, requiring precise overtakes and strategic tyre management. However, Perez ultimately redeemed his earlier missteps with a strong recovery drive, methodically working his way up the field. His persistent pressure on Carlos Sainz in the closing stages eventually paid off, securing a crucial second place and a valuable one-two for Red Bull. While not a dominant performance, his ability to convert a difficult starting position into a podium finish underscored his resilience, even if he still lagged significantly behind his teammate’s pace.
Charles Leclerc – 7/10: A Ferocious Fight for Ferrari at Home
Qualified: 3rd (-2 places behind team mate, +0.067s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 4th (-1 place behind team mate)
- Narrowly missed out on pole position by just 0.067s, showcasing Ferrari’s impressive pace and his own skill, settling for third on the grid.
- Ran within DRS range of Max Verstappen for the initial laps, displaying strong early race pace before gradually falling back, then pitting for hard tyres.
- Was eventually caught and passed by the hard-charging Sergio Perez, dropping to fourth position, which then set the stage for an intense battle with his teammate in the final laps.
- Despite a relentless effort, he could not find a way past Carlos Sainz, finishing off the podium in fourth place, a mere 0.18s behind his teammate after a thrilling conclusion.
Charles Leclerc delivered a robust performance at his home Grand Prix, consistently challenging at the sharp end throughout the Monza weekend. He was agonizingly close to pole position, demonstrating Ferrari’s genuine speed on the high-speed circuit. In the race, Leclerc initially stayed within DRS range of Max Verstappen, a promising sign of Ferrari’s competitive edge. He then masterfully held off the relentless pursuit of Sergio Perez for an extended period, displaying excellent defensive driving before the Red Bull’s superior pace inevitably prevailed. The most memorable aspect of his race was the sensational, multi-lap battle with teammate Carlos Sainz in the dying stages, a fierce but fair duel for the final podium spot. While he ultimately finished just off the podium in fourth, his fighting spirit and consistent pace ensured Ferrari maximized their potential, making him the second-fastest Ferrari driver of the weekend without any hint of shame. His drive was a testament to his determination and commitment to the Scuderia’s cause.
Carlos Sainz Jnr – 8/10: A Standout Weekend for the Spanish Lion
Qualified: Pole (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.067s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 3rd (+1 place ahead of team mate)
- Showcased his blistering pace by being the quickest in both the final two practice sessions, setting the stage for a strong qualifying performance.
- Delivered a sensational lap in Q3, pipping Max Verstappen by a minuscule 0.013s to secure his first pole position of the season, igniting the Tifosi.
- Maintained the lead from the start of the race, then bravely fought to keep the relentless Max Verstappen behind him for the opening laps, displaying exceptional defensive driving.
- Ultimately lost the lead to Verstappen on lap 15, after a valiant effort, then pitted for hard tyres and skillfully worked his way back up to second place.
- Engaged in a thrilling, multi-lap wheel-to-wheel battle with Sergio Perez, showcasing immense fighting spirit before eventually ceding second position.
- Successfully held off a charging Charles Leclerc over the closing laps, securing a well-deserved first Monza podium in a Ferrari, thrilling the home crowd.
Carlos Sainz Jnr delivered his most impressive performance of the season at the Italian Grand Prix, marking a true standout weekend for the Spanish driver. From Friday’s practice sessions through to qualifying, Sainz was consistently on the pace, culminating in a spectacular pole position lap that was arguably his finest in a Ferrari, narrowly beating Max Verstappen to ignite the Tifosi. In the race, he displayed immense spirit and tenacity, bravely holding off Verstappen for several laps before the Red Bull’s superior pace eventually prevailed. His subsequent battles, first with Sergio Perez for second place and then a gripping, no-holds-barred duel with his own teammate Charles Leclerc for the final podium spot, were highlights of the race. Sainz’s defensive masterclass against Leclerc in the dying laps earned him a richly deserved podium at Monza, a moment he can undoubtedly look back on with immense pride. This performance firmly established him among the top tier of drivers, silencing any doubters and proving his capability to deliver under immense pressure.
George Russell – 6/10: Best of the Rest for Mercedes
Qualified: 4th (+4 places ahead of team mate, -0.149s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 5th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
- Secured an excellent second row grid slot in qualifying, beating Sergio Perez and placing an impressive four positions ahead of his teammate.
- Maintained fourth place at the start and then endured 15 laps under relentless pressure from Sergio Perez before the Red Bull ultimately found a way past.
- Pitted for hard tyres and rejoined the race in tenth, but made a controversial move, missing the chicane while alongside Esteban Ocon, which earned him a 5-second time penalty.
- Skillfully passed Valtteri Bottas and began climbing back up the order to fifth, gradually falling behind the Ferraris and Red Bulls ahead.
- Finished an impressive 20 seconds ahead of his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, in fifth place, with his time penalty ultimately not affecting his final position.
George Russell emerged as the stronger of the two Mercedes drivers at the Italian Grand Prix, a weekend where the Silver Arrows acknowledged they lacked the outright pace to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari, yet comfortably outpaced McLaren. Russell extracted the maximum from his W14 in qualifying, securing a commendable fourth place on the grid, which was arguably the best possible result given their car’s performance envelope. In the race, he displayed impressive defensive driving, managing to keep the faster Sergio Perez behind him for longer than many anticipated. However, his decision to miss the chicane while battling Esteban Ocon after his pit stop was a moment of opportunistic, albeit questionable, race craft that rightly earned him a five-second penalty. Fortuitously, the buffer he had built meant the penalty did not affect his final fifth-place position. Despite this minor misstep, Russell’s overall performance was solid, demonstrating his ability to maximize the car’s potential and finish as the lead Mercedes driver, well ahead of his teammate.
Lewis Hamilton – 5/10: A Rollercoaster Ride with a Costly Mistake
Qualified: 8th (-4 places behind team mate, +0.149s)
Start: -1 place
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 6th (-1 place behind team mate)
- Struggled to match his teammate’s pace in qualifying, lining up a challenging eighth on the grid behind both Oscar Piastri and Alexander Albon.
- Started on the hard tyres, but lost a position to Lando Norris at the very first corner, dropping to ninth and making his initial stint more difficult.
- Strategically followed the McLarens, patiently waiting as others pitted before gaining the temporary lead, only to be inevitably overtaken by Max Verstappen.
- Pitted for medium tyres and rejoined in tenth position, quickly making a decisive pass on Fernando Alonso.
- Caught up to the McLarens, but his race was marred by a clumsy clash with Oscar Piastri, for which he received a five-second time penalty and later apologized.
- Despite the penalty, he impressively overtook both Lando Norris and Alexander Albon in the closing stages, finishing sixth behind his teammate, showcasing his raw pace and recovery skills.
Lewis Hamilton’s Italian Grand Prix weekend was a mixed bag of struggles and impressive recovery drives, ultimately yielding a result that fairly reflected Mercedes’ potential at Monza, albeit with a significant blot. After grappling with the car’s setup during the first two days and qualifying a distant eighth behind his teammate, Hamilton opted for an alternative hard-to-medium tyre strategy. He executed this strategy well, making good progress in his initial stint and then pushing hard on the medium tyres to close in on the McLarens. However, his race was undeniably defined by a regrettable collision with Oscar Piastri, a move for which he immediately took responsibility and apologized. While the resulting five-second penalty did not ultimately alter his sixth-place finishing position due to a comfortable gap to the cars behind, it certainly impacted his overall rating, detracting from an otherwise decent recovery and strong race pace. Hamilton’s ability to still climb the order and finish ahead of key rivals despite the penalty underscored his enduring talent, but the avoidable incident highlighted a moment of misjudgment.
Esteban Ocon – 6/10: Retirement on a Tough Alpine Weekend
Qualified: 18th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.003s)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: Retired (Steering – L40)
- Suffered his second consecutive Q1 elimination, missing out on Q2 by an incredibly tight margin of three-thousandths of a second compared to his teammate.
- Made a strong start, moving ahead of his teammate to run 16th behind Zhou Guanyu, maintaining position until a late pit stop for hard tyres on lap 24.
- Dropped to the back of the field after his pit stop but began to steadily climb back up to 15th position, demonstrating consistent pace.
- Was unfortunately forced into retirement on lap 39 due to a mechanical issue, specifically concerns with his steering, bringing a premature end to his race.
Esteban Ocon faced a profoundly challenging Italian Grand Prix weekend, as Alpine endured arguably their worst performance of the season in terms of raw car pace. Despite the car’s clear limitations, Ocon conducted himself admirably and did nothing to discredit his driving. He was virtually inseparable from his teammate, Pierre Gasly, in qualifying, missing out on Q2 by the narrowest of margins, indicating he extracted the maximum from the struggling A523. A solid start saw him gain positions, moving ahead of Gasly. While attempting a long first stint on his medium tyres didn’t yield significant strategic advantages, he was ahead of his teammate when mechanical issues, specifically steering concerns, forced him to retire prematurely on lap 39. Given the car’s uncompetitive nature at Monza, Ocon’s performance was a commendable effort to stay in the fight, even if the end result was a DNF.
Pierre Gasly – 6/10: Limited by Alpine’s Pace
Qualified: 17th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.003s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Finished: 15th
- Failed to progress out of Q1, but expressed confidence that he had extracted the absolute maximum performance from the Alpine car in qualifying.
- Fell behind his teammate Esteban Ocon at the start, then ran in close proximity until making an earlier pit stop for hard tyres.
- Managed to climb to 15th position before opting for a second pit stop for medium tyres, rejoining the race in last place.
- Maintained a close battle, running within three seconds of Zhou Guanyu until the very end, ultimately passing Lance Stroll on the penultimate lap to finish 15th.
Like his teammate, Pierre Gasly’s Italian Grand Prix weekend was largely dictated by the inherent performance limitations of his Alpine A523 at Monza. While he held a marginal qualifying edge over Esteban Ocon, he lost that advantage at the start of the race. The team’s decision to attempt a two-stop strategy with a final switch to medium tyres proved to be suboptimal, making his climb through the field considerably more arduous. Despite the strategic challenge, Gasly put in a consistent effort, battling hard in the midfield and eventually securing 15th position by overtaking Lance Stroll on the penultimate lap. His finishing position was more a reflection of the car’s struggles on the high-speed track than any shortcomings in his driving. In a weekend where Alpine found themselves well adrift of their rivals, Gasly demonstrated solid, if unremarkable, driving under difficult circumstances.
Lando Norris – 6/10: Strategic Pit Stop and Defensive Battle
Qualified: 9th (-2 places behind team mate, +0.194s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 8th (+4 places ahead of team mate)
- Was out-qualified by his rookie teammate, Oscar Piastri, lining up ninth on the grid, a rare occurrence this season.
- Made a strong start, moving ahead of Lewis Hamilton to settle into eighth position, running just behind his teammate.
- Pitted for hard tyres a lap before Piastri, successfully emerging ahead despite minor contact between the two McLarens at the first chicane.
- Spent a frustrating 17 consecutive laps within DRS range of Alexander Albon, but despite numerous attempts, he could not find a way past the resilient Williams.
- Ultimately fell to eighth place when overtaken by the recovering Lewis Hamilton, finishing just three-tenths of a second behind Albon after a relentless pursuit.
Lando Norris’s Italian Grand Prix was significantly influenced by two primary factors: the McLaren MCL60 not being as potent at Monza’s high-speed configuration as it had been at recent downforce-dependent tracks, and the immovable object that was Alexander Albon. After being surprisingly out-qualified by his rookie teammate, Oscar Piastri, Norris made a good start, gaining a position on Lewis Hamilton. He then seemed to possess a stronger race pace than Piastri, which was leveraged during the pit stop sequence as he emerged ahead. However, once he was in clear air behind Albon, Norris found himself in a prolonged and frustrating battle. Despite numerous attempts over 17 laps, utilizing DRS and varied lines, he simply could not break the determined defense of the Williams driver. He eventually succumbed to Hamilton’s charge but held on to finish eighth, right on Albon’s tail. While the car’s limitations were apparent, Norris’s inability to convert his stronger pace into an overtake on Albon was a key aspect of his race, preventing a higher rating.
Oscar Piastri – 6/10: Promising Pace Derailed by Incidents
Qualified: 7th (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.194s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Finished: 12th (-4 places behind team mate)
- Delivered an impressive qualifying performance, beating both his teammate Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to line up seventh on the grid.
- Passed Alexander Albon on the opening lap but was subsequently re-passed on lap two, settling behind the Williams in seventh position.
- Made a relatively late pit stop for hard tyres, which resulted in minor contact with Lando Norris upon rejoining the track at the first chicane.
- Continued to follow closely behind his teammate, but his race took a turn when he suffered front wing damage after being hit by Lewis Hamilton.
- Was forced to pit for a new front wing, rejoining the race in 14th; subsequently passed Lance Stroll, but controversially passed Liam Lawson off-track.
- Overtook Logan Sargeant to initially finish 11th, but was demoted to 12th after receiving a five-second penalty for his illegal move on Lawson.
- Set the fastest lap of the race, but did not earn a bonus point as he finished outside the top ten, highlighting his underlying speed.
Oscar Piastri’s Italian Grand Prix weekend, despite the McLaren not being at its absolute strongest, showcased his undeniable talent and ability to match his more experienced teammate, Lando Norris. He delivered a superb qualifying performance, not only outpacing Norris but also beating Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes to secure an excellent seventh on the grid. While he lost position to Norris after their pit stops, Piastri continued to demonstrate competitive pace, running closely behind. However, his race was unfortunately compromised by an avoidable incident with Lewis Hamilton, which resulted in front wing damage and necessitated an unscheduled pit stop. Despite dropping down the order, Piastri fought back valiantly, making up positions. His ‘pass’ on Liam Lawson, however, was a clear example of exceeding track limits and was rightly penalized, ultimately costing him a potential point. Despite the penalty, Piastri’s fastest lap demonstrated his raw speed, and his strong qualifying effort solidified his reputation as a rising star, even if the race result didn’t fully reflect his potential.
Valtteri Bottas – 7/10: A Well-Earned Point for Alfa Romeo
Qualified: 14th (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.141s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 10th (+4 places ahead of team mate)
- Was the sole Alfa Romeo driver to progress into Q2, securing 14th position on the grid.
- Started on the hard tyres, running steadily behind Logan Sargeant in 14th place during the opening stint.
- Gained several positions as the race unfolded, eventually pitting from an impressive seventh on lap 25 for medium tyres, dropping him to 16th.
- Expertly overtook Nico Hulkenberg and then caught up to Logan Sargeant, eventually passing him despite minor contact between the two cars.
- Successfully held tenth position over the final nine laps of the race, securing the crucial final point for Alfa Romeo after a strong defensive drive.
Valtteri Bottas delivered a truly commendable performance at the Italian Grand Prix, securing a rare top-ten finish and a valuable point for Alfa Romeo in a race devoid of Safety Cars, retirements, or penalties for cars ahead. Starting from 14th, he gained four positions through sheer pace and astute strategy. Bottas made excellent use of his alternative hard-to-medium tyre strategy, allowing him to extend his first stint and then attack in the latter half of the race. His overtakes, particularly on Nico Hulkenberg and Logan Sargeant, demonstrated strong race craft, even managing to recover from a minor clash with Sargeant at the second chicane. Given the caliber of the cars and drivers that finished ahead of him, securing tenth place was arguably the best possible result for Bottas and his team. This performance was a clear testament to his experience and ability to extract maximum performance when the opportunity arises, providing a much-needed boost for Alfa Romeo.
Zhou Guanyu – 5/10: An Average Weekend for Alfa Romeo
Qualified: 16th (-2 places behind team mate, +0.141s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Finished: 14th (-4 places behind team mate)
- Could not match his teammate’s qualifying pace, becoming the first driver eliminated from Q1 in 16th position.
- Ran directly behind his teammate in the early laps before opting for a very early pit stop for hard tyres.
- Ran behind Liam Lawson but was unable to find a way past before making a second pit stop for medium tyres.
- Rejoined the race in 17th behind Lawson but managed to pass Lance Stroll on the penultimate lap to finish 14th.
Zhou Guanyu’s Italian Grand Prix weekend epitomized an ‘average’ performance for the Alfa Romeo driver. While he made no significant mistakes and was not dramatically slower than his teammate Valtteri Bottas over the weekend, he also failed to stand out or create any memorable moments. His Sunday was largely defined by his team’s strategic gamble on an early switch to hard tyres, followed by an eventual two-stop strategy. This approach, unfortunately, proved not to be optimal for the conditions, as while his lap times were comparable to Bottas ahead, the extra pit stop meant he lost too much track position. Despite finishing 14th, four places behind his points-scoring teammate, Zhou’s drive was consistent. However, in a midfield that required opportunistic moves and precise strategy, his weekend lacked the spark needed to convert his car’s potential into a stronger result, ultimately falling short of a positive impact.
Lance Stroll – 4/10: Compromised Weekend for Aston Martin
Qualified: 20th (-10 places behind team mate, +0.817s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 16th (-7 places behind team mate)
- Missed the opening practice session, allowing Felipe Drugovich to drive his car, which impacted his acclimatization.
- Completed only a single lap in FP2 before a fuel system problem prematurely ended his Friday running, severely compromising his preparation.
- Was eliminated slowest in Q1, starting from the very back of the grid, a direct consequence of his limited track time.
- Found himself last after the opening lap but managed to overtake Kevin Magnussen for 18th, then steadily rose to 12th before his pit stop.
- Emerged on hard tyres in 18th and gained places as other cars pitted, later overtaking Nico Hulkenberg.
- Held 13th position for a period but was subsequently passed by Liam Lawson, Oscar Piastri, Zhou Guanyu, and Pierre Gasly in the closing stages.
- Finished as the last car on the lead lap in 16th position, highlighting the Aston Martin’s lack of pace and his difficult weekend.
- Was consistently behind his teammate, Fernando Alonso, in every session, underscoring the performance gap.
Lance Stroll’s Italian Grand Prix weekend was significantly hampered from the outset, leading to a performance that was well off the pace of his teammate, Fernando Alonso. Missing virtually the entire first day of running due to both a scheduled FP1 substitution and a fuel system problem in FP2 severely compromised his preparation for Monza’s unique demands. While he knows the circuit and car well, this lack of track time inevitably affected his rhythm, culminating in a Q1 exit and a start from the back of the grid. Despite these setbacks, Stroll demonstrated some recovery in the race, making up a few positions and staying on the lead lap. However, his race pace was ultimately not close to Alonso’s, and he progressively lost ground to several midfield rivals in the latter stages. Given that the Aston Martin AMR23 was not a strong contender at Monza, his grade of 4/10 is arguably generous, acknowledging the difficult circumstances he faced rather than his outright performance.
Fernando Alonso – 6/10: Maximum Effort in a Tricky Weekend
Qualified: 10th (+10 places ahead of team mate, -0.817s)
Start: -1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 9th (+7 places ahead of team mate)
- Consistently ahead of his teammate, Lance Stroll, in every session, demonstrating his superior pace and experience.
- Successfully reached Q3 but was the slowest in that session by half a second, which placed him tenth on the grid.
- Dropped to 11th at the start of the race but quickly recovered, overtaking Nico Hulkenberg on lap eight to reclaim tenth position.
- Switched to hard tyres on lap 21, executing an undercut on Lewis Hamilton, but was soon re-passed by the Mercedes, settling back into tenth.
- Picked up ninth position from Oscar Piastri in the later laps and closed in on Lando Norris and Alexander Albon, but ultimately had to settle for ninth place.
Fernando Alonso delivered a decent, if not particularly outstanding, weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, especially considering the relative lack of performance from the Aston Martin AMR23 at Monza. Once again, he was the dominant driver within his team, consistently outperforming Lance Stroll in every session and securing a Q3 appearance where he extracted the maximum from the car. While he lost a position on the opening lap, a common occurrence in the midfield scrum, he swiftly recovered it with a decisive overtake on Nico Hulkenberg. In a race that showcased impressive defensive driving from others, it could be argued that Alonso might have fought harder to keep Lewis Hamilton behind after his pit stop. However, his ability to manage his tires and strategy, picking up a place from Oscar Piastri late in the race and closing on the McLarens and Williams, demonstrated his enduring skill. Ultimately, ninth place was a solid result, maximizing the potential of a car that struggled to find its footing on the high-speed track.
Kevin Magnussen – 5/10: Haas’s Pace Woes Continue
Qualified: 19th (-6 places behind team mate, +0.249s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: Two-stop (H-M-M)
Finished: 18th (-1 place behind team mate)
- Was eliminated in Q1, qualifying 19th, citing difficulties with the maximum lap time rule and being caught behind Lance Stroll.
- Gained a position due to Yuki Tsunoda’s retirement but was later overtaken by Lance Stroll on lap four.
- Ran at the very back of the field for the majority of the race, ultimately finishing last in 18th position among the classified runners.
Kevin Magnussen’s Italian Grand Prix weekend underscored Haas’s continuing struggles, particularly in race pace. While their practice performance offered a fleeting illusion of competitiveness, the team was comfortably the slowest on Sunday. Magnussen’s qualifying was underwhelming, as he claimed to be a victim of the maximum lap time rule and traffic, leading to a 19th-place start. While this offered a convenient excuse, the reality was a lack of outright pace. In the race, despite a two-stop strategy, he spent almost the entire duration at the very back of the field. To his credit, his race pace was largely comparable to his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, as slow as it may have been. However, without any moments of notable brilliance or strategic gains, his weekend was a forgettable one, reflecting the inherent limitations of the Haas VF-23 at Monza rather than a strong individual performance.
Nico Hulkenberg – 6/10: Promising Start, Fading Finish for Haas
Qualified: 13th (+6 places ahead of team mate, -0.249s)
Start: +3 places
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Finished: 17th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
- Squeezed into Q2, demonstrating strong qualifying pace, but was ultimately knocked out in 13th position.
- Made an excellent start to the race, gaining three places to run an impressive tenth, before eventually being passed by Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson.
- Pitted for hard tyres, then ran 14th before being overtaken by both Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll.
- Made a second stop for hard tyres, which caused him to fall further down the order to 17th.
- Finished ahead of his teammate, Kevin Magnussen, as the last car to be lapped, highlighting his relative advantage within the team.
Nico Hulkenberg’s Italian Grand Prix weekend followed an all-too-familiar narrative for the Haas driver: strong qualifying performance followed by a regression in race pace. He once again comfortably outpaced his teammate, Kevin Magnussen, over the weekend, expertly navigating Q1 and securing a respectable 13th on the grid. His start to the race was nothing short of brilliant, gaining three positions to temporarily run inside the points in tenth. However, this promising beginning quickly faded as the Haas’s inherent race-day struggles became apparent. Hulkenberg found himself gradually losing positions to faster cars, unable to defend effectively. A two-stop strategy, while attempted, did little to alter the underlying pace deficit. Despite finishing 17th, as the last car on the lead lap and ahead of his teammate, his result was not at all reflective of his qualifying and initial race performance. It was a weekend that showcased his individual talent, but also the deep-seated challenges faced by the Haas team on Sundays.
Yuki Tsunoda – 6/10: Unfortunate DNS, Solid Qualifying
Qualified: 11th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.164s)
Finished: Did Not Start (Power Unit)
- Comfortably progressed into Q2, securing a spot in the top ten during the initial phase, ultimately being the first driver eliminated in 11th position.
- Pulled off the track at the very end of the formation lap with smoke billowing from his car, suffering a power unit failure and failing to take the start of the race.
Rating a driver who fails to even start the race, through no fault of their own, is inherently difficult. However, Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian Grand Prix weekend cannot be entirely dismissed. He participated fully in qualifying, delivering one of his better performances of the season by comfortably making it into Q2 and securing an excellent 11th position on the grid. This put him just ahead of his less-experienced teammate, Liam Lawson, highlighting his consistent ability to extract performance from the AlphaTauri. While the power unit failure on the formation lap was a cruel stroke of misfortune that prevented him from capitalizing on his grid position, it seems fairer to acknowledge and reward the strong job he did in qualifying rather than penalize him for an issue completely out of his control. His potential to score points at Monza was evident, making his DNS all the more frustrating for himself and the team.
Liam Lawson – 6/10: Acquitting Himself Well in First Full GP
Qualified: 12th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.164s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Finished: 11th
- Successfully completed his first full practice program in Formula 1, gaining valuable experience and track time.
- Backed up his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in qualifying, lining up directly behind him in a strong 12th position on the grid.
- Maintained 12th position in the early stages of the race before making a clean pass on Nico Hulkenberg for 11th, then pitted for hard tyres.
- Managed to keep Zhou Guanyu behind him for a significant period before making a second pit stop for hard tyres on lap 33, which dropped him to 16th.
- Executed an overtake on Lance Stroll for 12th, but was then controversially overtaken illegally by Oscar Piastri at the Roggia chicane.
- Crossed the finish line 13th but was promoted to 11th place after the penalties applied to Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, narrowly missing out on points.
The Italian Grand Prix marked Liam Lawson’s first ‘true’ full Grand Prix weekend in Formula 1, and he acquitted himself exceptionally well once again. Following an impressive debut at Zandvoort, Lawson built on that experience by completing a full practice program and delivering a very strong qualifying performance, matching Yuki Tsunoda to put AlphaTauri in a decent position to fight for points. While he admitted to not having the best start, his race craft was commendable, including a clean overtake on Nico Hulkenberg. Lawson battled with rear tyre wear compared to his rivals, and the two-stop strategy proved not to be optimal for the conditions. However, his relentless drive saw him climb back up the order, finishing 11th after penalties to others, an achievement that surpasses anything his predecessor, Nyck de Vries, managed all season. Lawson’s consistent composure, race pace, and ability to adapt quickly under pressure continue to impress, solidifying his strong claim for a full-time seat.
Alexander Albon – 8/10: Defensive Masterclass for Williams
Qualified: 6th (+9 places ahead of team mate, -0.672s)
Start: -1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 7th (+6 places ahead of team mate)
- Consistently placed inside the top ten in every session of the weekend, showcasing the Williams’s strong pace at Monza.
- Comfortably reached Q3, then delivered a stellar qualifying lap to out-qualify both McLarens and Lewis Hamilton, securing an outstanding sixth position on the grid.
- Lost a place to Oscar Piastri at the start but immediately reclaimed it on lap two, settling back into sixth position.
- Made an early pit stop for hard tyres on lap 15, which initially dropped him to 13th, but he skillfully passed Esteban Ocon on his way back up to sixth.
- Endured a grueling 17 laps under immense pressure from Lando Norris, showcasing exceptional defensive driving, but eventually could not hold Lewis Hamilton behind him.
- Fell to seventh but tenaciously held on to the position despite relentless pressure from Lando Norris over the final laps, securing more crucial points.
Yet again in the 2023 Formula 1 season, Alexander Albon delivered an extraordinary performance, seizing another vital points finish for Williams. At Monza, a circuit perfectly suited to the FW45’s low-drag characteristics, Albon once more demonstrated his exceptional talent, particularly his renowned defensive driving skills. A top-six grid position was as good as anyone could realistically hope for from the Williams, achieved by out-qualifying formidable rivals like McLaren and Hamilton. While he momentarily lost a place at the start, he swiftly recovered it, setting the stage for a race of immense pressure. Albon absorbed an unrelenting 17-lap assault from Lando Norris, deploying every trick in the book to keep the McLaren at bay. Although he eventually succumbed to the recovering Lewis Hamilton, his tenacious defense against Norris in the closing stages was a masterclass, securing seventh place as the first finisher outside the sport’s three biggest teams. This was another excellent performance that significantly bolstered Williams’s championship position, driven almost single-handedly by Albon’s brilliance.
Logan Sargeant – 4/10: A Costly Clash and Missed Points
Qualified: 15th (-9 places behind team mate, +0.672s)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 13th (-6 places behind team mate)
- Comfortably breezed into Q2 but then struggled on medium tyres, ultimately being knocked out in 15th position after running wide on his final lap.
- Ran in 13th place for most of his opening stint, demonstrating reasonable pace, before dropping to 16th after an early pit stop for hard tyres.
- Picked up several places as other cars pitted ahead, impressively climbing to 11th position, on the cusp of points.
- Came under intense pressure from Valtteri Bottas but a clumsy clash with the Alfa Romeo at the chicane earned him a five-second time penalty.
- Was then overtaken by Oscar Piastri, finishing 12th on track, but dropped behind Liam Lawson after his penalty was applied.
For Logan Sargeant and Williams, the Italian Grand Prix was undoubtedly circled on their calendars as one of their prime opportunities for points. With teammate Alexander Albon demonstrating the FW45’s clear potential by scoring, Sargeant’s failure to convert his position into a top-ten finish felt like an underachievement. While he comfortably made it into Q2, a mistake on his final lap saw him start 15th. In the race, Sargeant showed glimpses of promise, running as high as 11th and battling for the final point. However, his chances were irrevocably dashed by a clumsy clash with Valtteri Bottas at the chicane, which earned him a five-second penalty. This avoidable incident cost him not only track position but also a potential maiden Formula 1 point, highlighting areas for improvement in his race craft and judgment under pressure. Despite the car’s speed, Sargeant’s weekend ended in disappointment, a missed opportunity to capitalize on Williams’s strong performance at Monza.
Over to You: Who Was Your Star Performer at Monza?
The 2023 Italian Grand Prix delivered a memorable spectacle, showcasing incredible speed, strategic battles, and individual brilliance. From record-breaking triumphs to valiant defensive drives and heartbreaking near-misses, each driver contributed to the weekend’s drama. We’ve offered our expert analysis and ratings, but now it’s your turn to cast your vote. Who do you think impressed the most at Monza? Share your perspective and see if other Formula 1 enthusiasts align with your choice:
- Vote for your 2023 Italian Grand Prix Driver of the Weekend