Monza, Italy — Formula One’s latest regulatory changes aimed to intensify the competition but delivered a lackluster race that left teams frustrated and waiting for pivotal moments that never arrived. As the weekend’s events unfolded, anticipation quickly turned to disappointment when the expected safety car scenario failed to materialize.
Early in the race, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly collided with Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull, resulting in significant damage that forced Gasly to retire. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin succumbed to engine failure, further diminishing the excitement. Despite the dramatic incidents, neither event triggered the urgency of a safety car deployment that could have shifted strategies dramatically.
At the first round of pit stops, Lewis Hamilton managed to overtake Alonso, who struggled with engine issues before ultimately exiting the race. Alonso’s disappointing start to the season now mirrors his least successful beginnings, reminiscent of McLaren-Honda’s troubled 2015 campaign, as he remains without points.
Behind Hamilton, rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls secured sixth place after executing two closely-timed pit stops, opting for hard tires to carry him to the finish. Esteban Ocon from Haas crossed the line in seventh, followed closely by the second Racing Bull driven by Liam Lawson, and then the Williams of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
Albon’s strategic driving tactics proved effective as he maneuvered through traffic to facilitate both his own pit stop and that of Sainz, ensuring they both finished with points. However, his aggressive racing style led to friction with George Russell, who accused Albon of erratic driving. Russell ultimately made a controversial move by cutting a chicane to claim a position, opting not to relinquish it despite the consequences.
While Russell anticipated a five-second penalty for his actions, he received a drive-through penalty instead, relegating him to an 11th-place finish. His race was already complicated by an electrical issue that affected his qualifying performance, leaving him to start from 14th on the grid.
The lack of dramatic turns kept teams on edge, but ultimately led to a race that failed to live up to the thrill and excitement anticipated under the new rules. As the season progresses, analysts and fans alike will be watching closely to see if further adjustments can spark the dynamic competition they seek.