Max Verstappen’s Impressive Performance in Monza
Max Verstappen continues his pursuit of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship after a dominant performance at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The Dutch driver broke records during qualifying and the race itself, securing his third victory of the 2025 season.
Record-Breaking Qualifying
During the qualifying session, Verstappen set a new track record with a blistering speed of 264.682 km/h, securing pole position with a time of 1:18.792. This surpassed Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 record at the same circuit.
Monza Race Victory with a New Record
In the main race, Verstappen maintained his impressive form, crossing the finish line in 1:13:24.325 with an average speed of 250.706 km/h. This victory set a new record for the fastest race win in Formula 1 history, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s 2003 time of 1:14:19.838 with an average speed of 247.585 km/h.
Verstappen’s Standing in the Drivers’ Championship
With this victory, Verstappen now has 66 wins, placing him third on the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (105). However, he still trails McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship standings.
- Current Points: Verstappen has 230 points, only 10 less than Piastri, who leads the championship with 240 points.
- Verstappen’s Determination: Despite the gap, Verstappen remains focused on contending for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, stating, “We will take it step by step, race by race. This weekend was incredible for us, and we hope to have a few more good tracks coming up.”
Race Details and Team Performance
The Monza Grand Prix marked race 16 of the 2025 Formula 1 season, with Verstappen securing his third win alongside seven podium finishes. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, finished 13th, contributing to Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship pursuit.
Red Bull’s Success
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance: “This victory was well-deserved for the team, who have shown resilience throughout a challenging season. McLaren seemed to have the upper hand in most races, but our team has consistently pushed the limits of the car. It’s fantastic to be on top now.”
McLaren’s Reflections
Oscar Piastri, one of McLaren’s drivers, acknowledged areas for improvement: “We learned a lot during the race and towards the end. Monza’s unique nature means there are aspects we can refine for next year and other low-downforce tracks later in this season.”
Next Race and Standings
The next Formula 1 race will take place in Azerbaijan on September 21st. Verstappen and Red Bull aim to maintain their momentum in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, with eight races remaining in the 2025 season.
Current Championship Standings
- Drivers’ Championship:
- 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 324 points
- 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 293 points
- 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 230 points
- 4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 194 points
- 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 163 points
- Constructors’ Championship:
- 1. McLaren – 617 points
- 2. Ferrari – 280 points
- 3. Mercedes – 260 points
- 4. Red Bull – 239 points
- 5. Williams – 86 points
