Max on pole in Monza: 'A fantastic moment for us'

Published on 06 September 2025 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen has taken pole position for the Italian Grand Prix! In a nail-biting qualifying session that remained close right until the end, the reigning four-time world champion came out on top. He will start the race alongside Lando Norris, who fell just 0.077 seconds short of pole.

After qualifying, Max was asked whether this was the “Max Verstappen magic” at work. He replied: “I try, but I think around here, with the low downforce, it is always very difficult to nail the lap. On the braking it is easy to make mistakes. Q3 felt good. I am happy with my laps, and to be on pole here is fantastic for us. The car is working a lot better the whole weekend, and to be able to fight for pole is something I am very happy with.”

Max continued: “It was tight. We were still lacking a tiny amount, but then we made some final changes that allowed me to push a bit more. That is exactly what you need in qualifying, so for us this is a great moment.” The pole-sitter also briefly looked ahead to the race: “Let’s see. Historically this season, the races have always been a bit more complicated for us. We will give it everything we have and then see what happens tomorrow!”

At 4pm local time, qualifying got underway at the sunny Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Charles Leclerc set the first competitive time in Q1 with a 1:19.801. Soon after, Max put in his first run, though it was not flawless, he carried a bit of gravel out of the famous Lesmo corner and ended up a hundredth behind the Monegasque. Leclerc’s time did not stand long: both McLarens went quicker, Norris leading the way with a 1:19.6.

Before the final runs, several drivers tried another attempt as the improving track conditions brought times tumbling down. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz (Williams), and George Russell (Mercedes) all improved. Everyone except Russell went out again for a last run. Max needed to improve, having slipped to 12th, but managed to secure safety with a 1:19.445, good enough for second. Russell stayed on top in Q1 with a lap set on mediums, unique among the field. Knocked out were Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls).

In Q2, Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon (both Williams) were first out, Sainz setting a 1:20.2. Albon made a mistake at Ascari, leaving him a second off. Max started Q2 strongly, setting the pace with a 1:19.1. Neither Russell nor Piastri could match him, both about 0.15 seconds short. Norris struggled, locking up into Turn 1 and aborting his first attempt. On his second, he could only go seventh. In the final minutes, the field pushed again. Norris briefly dropped out of the top 10 but recovered to fifth. The top ten was covered by just three tenths, but no one beat Max’s time, sending him into Q3 as the fastest. Eliminated were Oliver Bearman (Haas), Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber), Sainz, Albon, and Esteban Ocon (Haas).

Q3 set the stage for the all-important pole shootout. Norris opened with a 1:19.4, soon bettered by Piastri, then by Leclerc. The Tifosi had a moment to cheer, but then came Max. With a superb lap of 1:18.923, he topped the first runs. Halfway through Q3, Max led from Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, and Russell.

Then came the decisive final attempts. The Ferraris could not improve. Piastri improved but remained behind Max’s benchmark. Norris put in a stellar lap to take provisional pole by half a tenth, but Verstappen still had an answer. With a brilliant final effort, the four-time champion beat Norris by 0.077 seconds, securing the 45th pole of his career. He will start Sunday’s race from pole, with Norris alongside, and Piastri and Leclerc behind.

Contest GP Italy: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results qualifying Italy: