WEEKEND THREADS: The best paddock fits of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix

When racing in Monza, style carries a little extra weight. The Italian Grand Prix isn’t just any stop on the calendar – it's the Temple of Speed – where the famous atmosphere was as charged as ever.

But it’s not only the rich history and record-breaking speeds that makes Monza unique. Sitting on the outskirts of Milan, one of the world’s fashion powerhouses, the paddock here feels like an extension of the runway. Drivers, team members, and other notable paddock figures alike seemed to recognise that as they arrived with looks that felt sharper, more intentional, and absolutely ready for the spotlight.

Across the four days, from understated Thursday media day arrivals to polished Grand Prix day walk-ins, the paddock offered its own interpretation of Italian style: practical, expressive, and never without a touch of flair.

Thursday – media day casual

The opening day at Monza set the tone for a stylish weekend, with a mix of relaxed fits, statement details, and even a surprise star of the paddock. Alexandra Saint Mleux, Charles Leclerc’s partner, arrived in a leopard print mini dress paired with delicate jewellery – a chic and playful look – though it was their dog Leo nestled in her arms who stole the spotlight.

Among the drivers, the standout moment belonged to Lando Norris, whose black bomber jacket featured an unmistakable Valentino Rossi print across the back – a nod to the Italian motorsport legend that made his entrance feel more like a declaration of intent.

Esteban Ocon kept things understated in a crisp white linen shirt and cargo pants, while Pierre Gasly tapped into retro nostalgia with a bomber jacket styled in Alpine fashion. Yuki Tsunoda kept it classic with a white tee, jeans, and his signature backwards cap, duffel bag in hand – a reminder that Tsunoda is simply incapable of throwing together a bad outfit over race weekend!

Friday

Friday’s paddock arrivals blended comfort with character, each look seemingly defying the warm Italian sunshine. F1's newest podium-sitter Isack Hadjar cut a cool figure in a white hoodie – an unexpected choice in the heat, yet he barely broke into a sweat as he walked through the turnstiles to the Racing Bulls motorhome.

Tsunoda followed up Thursday’s laid-back look with something more coordinated, stepping out in a matching off-white Red Bull Racing corduroy jacket and trousers. The set had an easy confidence to it, balancing relaxed fit with sharp intention.

And then there was Sir Jackie Stewart, a timeless icon of F1, proving once again that some looks never go out of fashion. His signature tartan cap and trousers carried the same heritage and individuality that have defined his presence in the paddock for decades, and a fitting reminder of F1’s style legacy against the historic backdrop of Monza.

Saturday

As tensions began to rise ahead of the all-important Qualifying on Saturday, in the paddock was where the statements began. Tsunoda once again stole attention, this time in a Red Bull Racing letterman bomber jacket layered over a white vest and jeans. His signature chains and team cap completed the look – a perfect blend of streetwear and team pride.

Lewis Hamilton marked his first Monza appearance as a Ferrari driver with an arrival that could only be described as cinematic. Wearing Ferrari’s special edition racing blue team tee, he rolled into the paddock on an Italian flag-branded Ducati motorbike – a dramatic and unmistakably Italian entrance that fused racing heritage with pure theatre, the way only Lewis Hamilton can.

Away from the grid, Alexandra Saint Mleux and Carmen Montero-Mundt embodied classic Italian chic, their looks refined and polished in a way that felt right at home in Monza’s proximity to Milan. Even the officials added their own flair to the event, with fire marshals sporting iconic chrome helmets, more often associated with Monaco, reminding us that sometimes uniform can be just as stylish as fashion.

Sunday – Guests steal the spotlight

Race day at Monza carried a different rhythm: the drivers kept it strictly business in their team kits, but the paddock guests and celebrities brought bold colour, style, and personality to the Temple of Speed.

Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor embodied effortless European summer with a cropped white tee and skirt – minimalist, breezy, and perfectly in tune with the late-Italian heat. French music hitmaker Aya Nakamura turned heads in bold striped prints, with flashes of racing red that felt perfectly matched to the crowds of Tifosi around the circuit. Pierre Gasly’s partner Kika Gomes embodied elegance in a floating dress that wouldn’t look out of place on the shores of Lake Como, a reminder that Monza’s style has a touch of Italian romance about it.

On track, nostalgia shone through over the duration of the weekend as Jean Alesi and Jacky Ickx returned to the circuit for a lap in their iconic 412-T2 and 312B racing cars, each donning a special edition race suit, in a nod to Ferrari’s deep connection with Monza.

Among some of the other celebrity guests, dancer Nikita Kuzmin stood out in a pinstriped pink overshirt, striking a playful balance between sharp tailoring and easy weekend wear, while model Lauren Jaine chose a red dress worthy of the Tifosi themselves – bold and celebratory of a classic Monza weekend.

However, the outfit that truly stole hearts at Monza belonged to the youngest paddock star. Nico Hulkenberg’s daughter, Noemi – aka “Mini Hulk” – arrived in a specially made dress featuring her dad’s racing number and the teams’ memorable glowing green. And although Hulkenberg was unable to start the race due to a hydraulics issue, this show of support from Noemi surely brightened his weekend.