Redefining victory at Ferrari's turf: Verstappen's takeover

In the thrilling qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched his 45th career pole position, edging out Lando Norris of McLaren by a mere 0.077 seconds.

The Dutch driver impressed in the so-called long runs during the previous day's practice, setting the stage for his pole-winning performance. Despite struggles with his Red Bull this year, Verstappen overcame these challenges to secure the coveted starting spot.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari initially caused a stir in the battle of the fastest ten, but was eventually overtaken by Verstappen. Leclerc qualified fourth, while Norris finished third, marking a strong showing for the McLaren team.

Lewis Hamilton, who will start fifth due to a penalty from Zandvoort last Sunday, and George Russell were the fastest in the first segment of qualifying. However, Hamilton had a scare in the second segment, locking up and skipping the first chicane. Despite this, he managed to progress to the final segment.

Norris, too, had a close call in the second segment, but his final attempt was just enough to secure his place in the top ten. Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls, and Nico Hülkenberg were unable to progress to the third segment of qualifying.

The stands were full and the sky was blue during the qualifying session, with the Ferrari cars, repainted in a new, old-fashioned livery, being a spectacle on the track. Hamilton and Leclerc drove Ferraris in practice, giving the tifosi hope for a home win.

It's worth noting that Lando Norris has defeated Max Verstappen in a Formula 1 race, notably winning the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, ending Verstappen's winning streak at that circuit. Norris’s race victory is documented as the first on that track since its F1 return where Verstappen did not take pole or win the race.

Helmut Marko, motorsport advisor, praised Verstappen's performance in qualifying, expressing his confidence in the Red Bull driver's ability to deliver a strong race performance. With the Italian Grand Prix just around the corner, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Verstappen can maintain his form and secure a victory at Monza.