MAX VERSTAPPEN has taken pole at the Italian GP after recording the fastest lap in F1 history.
He snatched the starting place on tomorrow’s grid from Lando Norris to rain on McLaren’s parade in Monza.
PAIt was Verstappen’s 45th pole of his career[/caption]
The Mega AgencyA visibly happy Verstappen said everything has worked out well after the race[/caption]
EPALando Norris suffered heartbreak at the very end[/caption]
The Dutchman showed you can write him off at your peril as he notched a breathtaking lap record with an average speed of 164mph.
Norris was looking up for it after his heartbreak in Zandvoort, initially beating Verstappen’s provisional pole time in the final session, but the Dutchman immediately hit back.
It is Verstappen’s first pole since Silverstone in July, and the 45th of his career, with the Red Bull car continuing to struggle this season.
He roared: “Yes guys! That’s unbelievable. A really good job. It worked out. It’s all good.”
Charles Leclerc, who was the king of Monza last year, had to settle for fourth while Lewis Hamilton finished in fifth but will start in tenth due to a grid penalty from Zandvoort last time out.
Verstappen was looking menacing throughout, notching that provisional pole at the start of the final session while also securing the fastest time in Q2.
Norris had a nervy moment, making a mistake early on in Q2, running completely wide at the first chicane, which triggered a lap time deletion and forcing him to pit.
It was touch and go for Hamilton who made it into the final session by the skin of his teeth in ninth while Norris also left it late to snatch fifth.
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George Russell leapfrogged Hamiton for fifth, with Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda all bumped up a place apiece too.
Norris said: “Max has been quick all weekend and it’s never a surprise with Max.
“It was quite a session for me, just up and down and too many mistakes here and there.
“To put it all together on the last lap was pretty happy so happy with P2.
“I always give my result based on how I drove on the day. I feel like I didn’t do the best of jobs but P2 I’m still happy with. Good things and bad things.
“P2 is not a bad position to be off the line. I want to be ahead of everyone. A good position for tomorrow and excited for the race.
“Sunday race pace is normally our strength but to get past Max I’m sure will be a challenge.
“I don’t expect any magical things and we have some Ferraris behind who I’m sure will want to come through as quickly as possible.”
