Verstappen Claims Shock Monza Pole, Outdueling McLaren Duo

Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance to claim pole position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, narrowly beating McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. His fastest lap of 1:18.792 was just 0.077 seconds quicker than Norris, setting the stage for a thrilling race.

Why it matters

Verstappen's pole position, especially against a strong McLaren team at a high-speed circuit like Monza, highlights Red Bull's continued competitive edge and the intense battle at the front of the F1 grid. It also raises questions about McLaren's ability to convert their strong qualifying pace into a dominant race performance.

The details

• Q1 Highlights: Bright skies greeted drivers. 카를로스 사인츠 and 막스 베르스타펜 both had early track limit infringements. 조지 러셀 impressed on medium tires, while 아이작 하자르 was notably eliminated after a wide moment. Others out: 랜스 스트롤, 프랑코 콜라핀토, 피에르 가슬리, and 리암 로슨.
• Q2 Drama: The session was delayed for gravel on track. 알렉스 알본 struggled, dipping a wheel into the gravel at Ascari. 베르스타펜 used 오스카 피아스트리's tow to set an early pace. 랜도 노리스 faced a lock-up, forcing him onto a new tire strategy, but ultimately secured fifth. Key eliminations included 올리버 베어맨, 니코 휠켄베르그, 카를로스 사인츠, 알렉스 알본, and 에스테반 오콘.
• Q3 Battle: The final shootout saw intense competition. 샤를 르클레르 briefly held the fastest time before 베르스타펜 seized the top spot. 노리스 then took provisional pole, but 베르스타펜, in a masterclass, immediately reclaimed it by 0.077 seconds, setting a new lap record. 러셀, 안토넬리, 보르톨레토, 페르난도 알론소, and 유키 츠노다 completed the top 10.

What's next

베르스타펜 will start from pole position, aiming to convert it into a victory. McLaren's 노리스 and 피아스트리 will be right behind, looking to challenge the Red Bull driver from the outset. The race promises high-speed drama and strategic battles on Sunday.