Max Verstappen set a new record for the fastest lap in Formula 1 history to claim pole position at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite expectations of a strong Ferrari challenge, Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, dominated the qualifying session with a lap speed averaging 164.484mph, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s previous record at Monza.
Lando Norris secured the second spot on the grid and expressed no surprise at Verstappen’s performance, acknowledging his consistent speed throughout the weekend. Norris overcame a challenging qualifying session, edging out his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to secure the front row position.
Piastri, leading the championship by 34 points due to Norris’ recent engine failure, remains focused on adding more wins to his tally and competing against Norris for the title. Despite a tight competition, Piastri remains determined to make progress in the upcoming race.
Verstappen, while not expecting to clinch pole position, credited his improved car performance for the achievement. He emphasized the challenges of navigating the low downforce track at Monza but expressed satisfaction with his pole position. Looking ahead to the race, Verstappen highlighted the team’s commitment to giving their best performance.
Fans can catch all Formula 1 action live, including practice, qualifying, and races, through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which also offers access to over 100 TV channels, Netflix, and Discovery+ subscriptions.