Max Verstappen claimed pole for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting the fastest lap in F1 history with a 1:18.792, averaging over 164mph, narrowly ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
After a challenging 2024 season, the result marks a boost for Verstappen and Red Bull under new team principal Laurent Mekies. Ferrari also impressed at their home race, with Lewis Hamilton qualifying fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc, though a grid penalty drops him to 10th.
Norris avoided a Q2 mishap to secure second, keeping the intra-team title fight with Piastri alive. With Verstappen back at the front, Sunday’s race promises intense action at one of F1’s fastest tracks.
