Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance to take pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, edging out Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a fiercely contested qualifying session at Monza.
The Red Bull driver set the fastest lap in Formula 1 history with a 1:18.792, averaging more than 164mph, to claim his fifth pole of the season. The result marks a major turnaround for Verstappen and his team, who struggled badly at Monza last year and have been outpaced by McLaren for much of 2024.
Ferrari also showed promise at their home race, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualifying fourth and fifth. Hamilton, making his Monza debut as a Ferrari driver, was greeted by thunderous support from the Tifosi but will start 10th due to a grid penalty.
For Norris, securing second ahead of teammate Piastri was vital for his title hopes, as he trails the Australian by 34 points in the championship. After a scare in Q2, the British driver recovered to keep himself in the fight heading into Sunday’s race.
With Verstappen back at the front and McLaren still the benchmark, the Italian Grand Prix promises to be a high-speed showdown.
