Max Verstappen's Setup Disagreement with Red Bull Led to Record Italian GP Pole

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen defied internal team doubts regarding his car setup to secure a record-breaking pole position at the Italian Grand Prix qualifying. This highlights his crucial role in car development and his unwavering confidence in his instincts.

The big picture:

Verstappen had a quiet weekend prior to qualifying, not featuring in the top three in any practice session at Monza. However, he peaked at the crucial moment, setting the fastest lap in F1 history at the circuit. This lap surpassed Lewis Hamilton's 2020 benchmark and secured Verstappen his fifth pole of the season, breaking Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull team record with his 45th pole for the team.

The details:

• Verstappen revealed that there were disagreements within the Red Bull team about his proposed setup changes before qualifying.
• "Some wanted to do something different in terms of setup, but I said: 'No, we have to do this,'" Verstappen stated.
• He observed "a few more people doubting" his choice even after he had made his decision with engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and the surrounding team.
• Despite the questions, Verstappen remained firm, trusting his feel for the car: "I'm the one who sits in the car and still senses certain things. I trusted that adjusting a few more little things would make the car better."

What's next:

Verstappen will start the Italian Grand Prix from pole position, aiming to convert his record-breaking qualifying performance into another victory as he continues his dominant season.