Lewis Hamilton Reacts: Not Surprised by Verstappen's Dominant Monza Pole

Lewis Hamilton was not surprised to see Max Verstappen claim pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, beating both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen also set the fastest lap in F1 history at Monza, breaking Hamilton's previous record.

Why it matters: Verstappen's pole at Monza underscores Red Bull's continued dominance in Formula 1. Despite McLaren's strong performance, the reigning champion's ability to extract maximum performance from his car, even on tracks traditionally challenging for Red Bull, highlights the team's relentless competitive edge and Verstappen's exceptional skill.

The details:

• Verstappen secured pole ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third fastest in qualifying.
• The Dutchman's record-breaking lap time further cemented his formidable single-lap pace.
• When asked if he was surprised by Verstappen's performance against the McLarens, Hamilton pointed to the consistent strength of the Red Bull machinery.
• Hamilton stated, "He's had the world championship-winning car for God knows how long, so you know how good he is on a single lap."
• He further elaborated on the Red Bull car's strengths, describing it as "the most efficient car in a straight line" and "particularly good in high-speed corners."

What's next: Verstappen will start from pole, aiming to convert his qualifying advantage into another victory, extending Red Bull's impressive winning streak. Rivals like McLaren will be looking to challenge, but the Red Bull's pace suggests a difficult race for the chasing pack.