Monza, Italy – September 6, 2025: Max Verstappen delivered a stunning qualifying performance at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, breaking the outright lap record to secure pole position for the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver set a blistering lap of 1:18.792, edging out McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastriin a thrilling Q3 shootout.

Norris briefly looked set for pole after clocking 1:18.869, aided by a perfectly timed tow from Piastri, while the Australian himself had gone fastest with a 1:18.982 moments earlier. But Verstappen had the final word, storming to his fifth pole of the season and the 45th of his F1 career, lowering the Monza benchmark previously held by Lewis Hamilton since 2020.

“To be on pole here is fantastic,” Verstappen said. “The car has been working better all weekend. We made some final changes that allowed me to push more, and that made the difference. For us, this is a great moment.”

Ferrari Promise Fades

At the start of qualifying, Ferrari gave home fans hope as Charles Leclerc set the early pace with 1:19.801, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. But as the track evolved, both McLaren and Red Bull surged forward, leaving Ferrari to settle for fourth (Leclerc) and 10th (Hamilton), with the latter facing a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race.

Mercedes and Sauber Impress

George Russell and teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli placed fifth and sixth, showcasing Mercedes’ pace around Monza. Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto stunned with P7 for Sauber, outpacing veteran Fernando Alonso, who took eighth for Aston Martin.

Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10 for Red Bull, but will start ninth after Hamilton’s penalty.

Eliminations

Q1 saw shock exits for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar (P16) and Liam Lawson (P20), while Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both struggled for Alpine. In Q2, Ollie Bearman (Haas), Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber), and the Williams pair of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon fell short of progressing.

2025 Italian GP Qualifying Results – Top 10

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:18.792
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:18.869 (+0.077s)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:18.982 (+0.190s)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:19.007 (+0.215s)
5. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:19.157 (+0.365s)
6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:19.200 (+0.408s)
7. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:19.390 (+0.598s)
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:19.424 (+0.632s)
9. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1:19.519 (+0.727s)
10. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:19.124 (+0.332s) [5-place penalty]

With Verstappen on pole, Norris alongside him, and Piastri in third, fans can expect a high-speed showdown at Monzaas Ferrari and Mercedes look to challenge the Red Bull-McLaren fight at the front.