Max Verstappen claimed a dramatic pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by a mere 0.077 seconds in a thrilling qualifying session at Monza. The Red Bull driver’s final flying lap of 1:18.792 set a new Formula 1 track record, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s previous benchmark from 2020.
The result marks a significant turnaround for Verstappen and Red Bull, who struggled at this circuit last season. The Dutchman described his 2024 car as “undriveable” during that event, qualifying seventh and finishing sixth. This year’s performance demonstrated remarkable progress for a team that has faced considerable challenges, including leadership changes and intense competition from McLaren.
Verstappen’s achievement came against strong opposition from both McLaren drivers, with Norris securing second and teammate Oscar Piastri taking third. The reigning world champion acknowledged the importance of the result, noting that Monza has historically been a challenging circuit for Red Bull due to its high-speed demands, where approximately 70% of the lap is spent at full throttle.
Ferrari showed promising form at their home grand prix, with Charles Leclerc qualifying fourth and Hamilton fifth. However, Hamilton will start tenth after receiving a grid penalty from the previous race. The British driver expressed awe at his first Monza experience with Ferrari, marveling at the overwhelming support from the Tifosi.
The qualifying session provided high drama throughout, particularly for Norris, who faced elimination in the second segment after an early mistake. The British driver recovered brilliantly, completing his final flying lap just as time expired to advance to the top-ten shootout.
Sunday’s race promises an intense battle at the front, with Verstappen aiming to convert his pole position into victory against the consistently competitive McLarens. The result provides a timely boost for Red Bull as they continue to develop their car under new leadership, while Norris will be looking to close the championship gap to his teammate.
