Max Verstappen Smashes F1 Record at Monza for Italian GP Pole

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen has made F1 history by securing pole position for the Italian Grand Prix with the fastest lap ever recorded. This dominant performance underscores Red Bull's continued strength, while Lando Norris's impressive recovery to P2 highlights McLaren's strong pace at Monza.

The big picture:

Verstappen's record-breaking lap of 1:18.792, averaging 264.7 kph, surpassed Lewis Hamilton's 2020 Monza pole by speed. He outpaced Norris by nearly a tenth, with Oscar Piastri qualifying third. Lewis Hamilton will start 10th due to a grid penalty. Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, eliminated in Q1, faces a pit lane start after a power unit change.

Qualifying Highlights:

• Q3: Verstappen's blistering 1:18s lap secured pole. Piastri initially split the Ferraris, but Norris made a crucial final run to snatch P2. Charles Leclerc qualified fourth, ahead of Hamilton. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will start from the third row due to Hamilton's penalty.
• Q2: A track cleaning delay preceded Verstappen's dominant pace. Lando Norris, after an initial lap deletion for cutting a corner, executed a vital push-cool-push strategy, narrowly escaping elimination to make it into Q3.
  • Eliminated in Q2: Ollie Bearman (P11), Nico Hulkenberg (P12), Carlos Sainz (P13), Alex Albon (P14), Esteban Ocon (P15).
• Q1: Mercedes drivers Russell and Antonelli started on medium tyres. Verstappen quickly set the pace, splitting the Ferraris, with Norris and Piastri also showing strong speed. Liam Lawson's lap was deleted for track limits, contributing to his elimination.
  • Eliminated in Q1: Isack Hadjar (P16), Lance Stroll (P17), Franco Colapinto (P18), Pierre Gasly (P19), Liam Lawson (P20).

What's next:

Max Verstappen will lead the grid for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, aiming to convert his record pole into another victory against strong challenges from McLaren and Ferrari.