Max Verstappen etched his name further into Formula 1 history at the iconic Monza circuit, setting a new all-time lap record. The Red Bull driver's blistering pace during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix not only secured him pole position but also shattered the previous benchmark, establishing a new fastest-ever lap in F1 based on average speed.
Verstappen's record-breaking lap time of 1:18.792 was achieved with an average speed of 264.682 kilometers per hour (164.47 mph). This surpassed the previous record held by Lewis Hamilton, also set at Monza in 2020. The achievement marks Verstappen's fifth pole position of the season and the 45th of his career.
The qualifying session saw intense competition, particularly from the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris initially appeared to have secured pole position with a lap time of 1:18.869, placing him ahead of Piastri. However, Verstappen's final lap proved unbeatable, edging out Norris by a mere 0.077 seconds. Piastri finished third, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
The new lap record at Monza is a testament to Verstappen's exceptional driving skill and the Red Bull team's engineering prowess. Verstappen's ability to extract maximum performance from his car, combined with Red Bull's strategic use of a lower downforce configuration, proved to be a winning formula.
The qualifying results set the stage for an exciting Italian Grand Prix. With Verstappen starting from pole position and the McLarens of Norris and Piastri close behind, the race promises thrilling battles and strategic maneuvers. Charles Leclerc, starting from fourth, will be aiming to repeat his victory from the previous year at Monza.
While some observers note that track changes made the previous year may have influenced lap times, the significance of Verstappen's achievement remains. The new record represents the fastest average lap time ever recorded in Formula 1, regardless of the specific circuit.
Verstappen's record-breaking lap at Monza underscores his dominance in the current Formula 1 season. As he continues to push the boundaries of speed and performance, fans eagerly anticipate his pursuit of further milestones and victories.
