Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance at Monza to take pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a fiercely contested qualifying session.
The Dutchman’s final lap of 1:18.792 seconds set a new Formula 1 record for the fastest average speed, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 benchmark. It marked a major turnaround for Red Bull, who struggled at Monza last year and have been trailing McLaren for much of the season.
Ferrari also showed promise at their home race, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc securing fourth and fifth. Hamilton, making his debut for Ferrari at Monza, received a rapturous welcome from the Tifosi but will start 10th after a grid penalty.
The result was a boost for Verstappen and new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, coming just weeks after Christian Horner’s departure. With Norris and Piastri breathing down his neck in the championship fight, Verstappen now faces the challenge of converting pole into victory against the resurgent McLarens.
