Summer break is over as title fight beckons with four rounds remaining!

Credit: James Sutton

​For the first time since the beginning of August, following the Summer break, FIA Formula 2 returns to racing action this weekend with a trip to Monza.

The "Temple of Speed" as it is referred to by many passionate motorsport fans, with the continuous long straights and very few multi corner complexes, will play host to round 11 of 14 in 2025.

It is the second Italian venue of the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship and will close the European part of the season, following the other Italian venue, Imola, opening it up back in May.

Arriving to Monza, with a big home crowd in attendance, Leonardo Fornaroli will have eyes very much laid upon him. The 2024 FIA Formula 3 Champion, who clinched glory at Monza 12 months ago, has the Formula 2 championship lead heading into round 11.

Fornaroli has a 17-point lead over DAMS Lucas Oil and Aston Martin Development driver Jak Crawford, who is second in the standings.

Richard Verschoor is third in the standings and is 19 points off the championship lead with Luke Browning and Alex Dunne not far away within the top five.

Dunne will be featuring in two championships across the weekend at Monza with the McLaren Development Driver set to participate in the Formula One Free Practice One session.

The Irishman will step into Oscar Piastri's McLaren on Friday afternoon to get some more experience behind the Formula One car.

Fornaroli, who races for Invicta Racing, has his team currently top of the Teams' Championship Standings. The yellow machines lead Spanish outfit Campos, who are second. DAMS Lucas Oil, MP Motorsport and Hitech TGR are all very much within a chance with four rounds remaining.

The round at Monza can often be pivotal in FIA Formula 2. Last year, Gabriel Bortoleto made history by winning the Feature Race after starting in 22nd and back of the grid.

It was a driver that pushed him on a title charge and pushed him closer to a full time Formula One drive.

The iconic Monza circuit is one of just 11 turns and many long straights that help the lap distance rise to 5.793km. Two DRS zones at Monza make it a great circuit for overtaking with the best chance appearing down the start/finish straight.

Two races per weekend is usual for FIA Formula 2 and at Monza, this time out it's no different. 21 laps are to take place in Saturday's Sprint Race while 30 laps are competing in Sunday's Feature Race.
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Free Practice will get the Formula 2 weekend underway on Friday morning.

2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship: Round 11 - Monza session times

Track Times

• Friday 5th September: Free Practice: 11:00
• Friday 5th September: Qualifying: 15:55
• Saturday 6th September: Sprint Race: 14:15
• Sunday 7th September: Feature Race: 09:45

UK Times

• Friday 5th September: Free Practice: 10:00
• Friday 5th September: Qualifying: 15:00
• Saturday 6th September: Sprint Race: 13:15
• Sunday 7th September: Feature Race: 08:45

Brandon Whiteside Writer - F1 Journal