Overview

• Max Verstappen secured pole for the Italian Grand Prix with a 1:18.792, the fastest F1 qualifying lap on record at an average 264.681 km/h.
• Lando Norris qualified second and Oscar Piastri third after Norris narrowly avoided a Q2 exit with a crucial tow from his teammate.
• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth in qualifying, while Lewis Hamilton was fifth but will drop five grid places due to his Zandvoort penalty.
• Red Bull credited a refined setup and an underfloor update, with Helmut Marko noting full engine power usage; Verstappen said late setup calls and a flatter wing improved balance but cautioned that race pace remains a question.
• Alpine endured a difficult weekend with both cars out in Q1 after lagging over a second in practice, with reports citing an estimated ~20 hp engine deficit.