Formula 1. Grand Prix in Italy. Verstappen wins the fastest race in history

Max Verstappen returned from the break fresh, energetic and inspired. The figures from the Monza race show this.

It all started in qualifying, where Verstappen almost literally won himself pole position, leaving Norris and Piastri behind. This pole was special for the Dutchman – he was able to beat Sebastian Vettel’s record, who won 44 poles in his Red Bull career. Max now has 45.

Photo: EPA/UPG. Max Verstappen's car

In addition to pole, Verstappen managed to break several more records. He surpassed Lewis Hamilton's result from 5 years ago, having completed a lap in 1:18.792 s. This figure became the fastest time in the history of the Monza circuit. During this lap, Max accelerated to 264.68 km/h. Thus, this lap of the Dutchman became a record, the fastest in the history of Formula 1.

During the race, Max demonstrated a high-quality level of driving. After the first corner cut, Verstappen calmly gave the lead to Norris at the request of the team, so as not to get a penalty. Everyone was sure that Lando would start to break away, but it did not happen as expected. Verstappen, as in his best times, quickly regained the first place and confidently held it until the end of the race.

Photo: EPA/UPG. Dutchman Max Verstappen

Verstappen seemed to be enjoying himself, moreover, he was enjoying everything that was happening. Every now and then he would put a fast lap in the race to his name. It is interesting what he was doing under the guidance of Laurent Mekies, for whom this was his first victory at the helm of Red Bull.

"It was better than expected. Once I got back into the lead, I just tried to focus on my own pace and it kept developing, everything was going well. I would say it was only in the last maybe six to eight laps of that period that I started to suffer a little bit from the midium. But by that point, yeah, it was nice this time.

The car was doing a little bit more of what I liked. I think this weekend was another step forward in the way the car behaves and that shows in the race too. That was a big positive for us.

Photo: EPA/UPG

Verstappen with a cup

"We used the usual strategy of going from medium to hard. And the McLarens stayed on track hoping for the safety car. I think that's why the gap at the end was a little bigger than it should have been. But still, it was an incredible weekend for us," Verstappen said.

Strange showdown at McLaren continues

And what about Norris and Piastri? Although McLaren has the best and, most importantly, the fastest cars of the season, their drivers are at the top of the personal standings, and the team leads the Constructors' Cup, McLaren manages to create problems for itself where there should be none.

Photo: EPA/UPG. McLaren driver Lando Norris

For example, in Italy the race was stable: Norris followed Verstappen, and Piastri was third. However, already at the end of the race, being in the lead, Norris for some reason wanted to pit after Piastri. The team, of course, listened to their pilot and called Oscar into the pits first. Then there was a concert. During the Briton's pit stop, the mechanics did a bad job, as a result of which Lando lost too much time and finally Norris became third, letting his teammate pass.

What happened next was even more fun. McLaren ordered Piastri to let Norris through, which he did. Surprisingly, given that Norris and Piastri are the two in the running for the title this season.

Photo: EPA/UPG. Oscar Piastri during the race

The decision was finally commented on by McLaren boss Andrea Stella:

"When it came time to pit, we called Oscar first, but we certainly had no intention of putting him in front. Unfortunately, Lando's pit stop was too long. But as it turned out, Oscar was first and the second pit stop was long, we decided it was fair to leave the schedule as it was before pitting.

I am sure that Oscar will have no problem with this decision, which we actually heard on the radio during the race. We value the principles that we have at McLaren,” Stella said.

Photo: EPA/UPG. The top three at the end of the race (from left to right: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri)

As a result, there is a podium like this: Verstappen is first, Norris is second, Piastri is third.

Drivers' standings after the Italian Grand Prix (top five):

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 324 points;
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 293;
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 230;
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 194;
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 163.

Ferrari back at square one

A break for reflection, a round in their native Italy… It seemed that everything was playing in Ferrari's favour and everything was leading to the fact that this was where Leclerc and Hamilton had to prove themselves.

Photo: EPA/UPG. Lewis Hamilton at the wheel

But… not this time. It all started with a pointless penalty for Hamilton, which dropped him to 10th position on the grid for the main race. Yes, Lewis then made up for lost time and finally finished sixth, but it was definitely not enough.

Photo: EPA/UPG

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc qualified fourth and had a fairly consistent race, finishing in the same fourth position, but again, this is not the result the Scuderia needs.

So, as a result of the Grand Prix, the Italian fans should have been happy about Verstappen and not at all about their drivers.

In the Constructors' Championship, McLaren increased their lead over second-placed Ferrari to 337 points.

Constructors' Cup after the Italian Grand Prix (top five):

1. McLaren – 617 points;
2. “Ferrari” – 280;
3. “Mercedes” – 260;
4. Red Bull – 239;
5. Williams – 86.

The next Grand Prix of the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place on Sunday, September 21, in Baku, Azerbaijan.