Red Bull’s Max Verstappen snatched pole position for the Italian Grand Prix from Lando Norris with the fastest lap in Formula 1 history.
The Dutchman’s time of one minute 18.792 seconds beat the lap set by Lewis Hamilton at Monza in 2020 for Mercedes by 0.095secs – at an average speed of 164.484mph.
Norris had just leapt to the top of the times after a difficult first run left him seventh, but Verstappen pipped him by 0.077 seconds for his first pole since the British Grand Prix in July.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, leading Norris by 34 points in their championship battle, was third fastest, ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
But the seven-time champion has a five-place penalty and will start the grand prix at Monza 10th.
That promotes Mercedes’ George Russell to fifth, ahead of team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen’s pole time seemed to surprise even the Dutchman himself, after he struggled for pace through the practice sessions.
“Around here with the low downforce, it’s always very difficult to nail the lap,” Verstappen said. “Q3 felt good. Happy with the laps. The car has been working a lot better all weekend and to be on pole I’m very happy with that. For us, it’s a great moment.
“Historically this season the race has been a little more complicated for us but we will give it everything we have.”
The McLaren drivers said they had expected Verstappen to be in the mix.
Norris, who broke Hamilton’s record first with his best lap of 1:18.869, said: “He’s been quick all weekend. It’s never a surprise with Max. It was quite a session from me, up and down, and too many mistakes, but I managed to pull it out in the end so I’m happy with P2.
“I feel like I didn’t do the best of jobs but to end up P2 I’m still happy with.
“The race is normally our strength but to get past Max won’t be easy. And the Ferraris will want to get through as quickly as possible.”
Piastri was 0.113secs behind his team-mate after appearing to be a little off Norris’ pace all weekend.
“Turn one was a little bit average, but the rest of the lap all felt pretty tidy,” the Australian said.
“I felt like I executed a pretty good session but it’s been incredibly tight this weekend. Max and Red Bull looked quick. A lot of teams looked quick, it has not been quite as comfortable for us.”
