Qualifying set the tone. Lando Norris briefly seemed set for pole along with his personal record-breaking run, just for Verstappen to ship a late masterstroke. His lap of 1:18.792 translated to a median pace of 264.68 km/h (164.47 mph), edging Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 benchmark on the identical circuit.
The lap surprised the McLaren storage, the place Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri had seemed robust all through. For Verstappen, it was an announcement response after a summer season by which Purple Bull had struggled to maintain tempo with McLaren’s resurgence.
On Sunday, the reigning champion carried that momentum into the race. A primary-corner skirmish briefly disrupted the order, however Verstappen shortly reasserted management.
From there, his rhythm was unshakable. Norris and Piastri gave chase, however neither may mount a sustained problem. Victory was constructed not simply on outright pace, however on flawless execution.
It was a reminder of the qualities that when made him untouchable en path to 4 straight world championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
“It was an important day for us,” Verstappen advised the media post-race, by way of Sky Sports. “Lap 1 was a bit unfortunate however after that we have been flying. The automotive was actually gratifying.
“Unbelievable execution by everybody by the entire group. The entire weekend, we have been on it. This was an unbelievable weekend.”
Norris secured second, whereas Piastri accomplished the rostrum after briefly leaping his teammate throughout a sluggish pit cease, earlier than being instructed by McLaren at hand the place again in what was a call sure to spark debate within the days forward.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc thrilled the tifosi with a spirited drive to fourth, whereas Hamilton recovered to sixth after a scrappy opening.
The end result reopens the narrative of the 2025 season. Verstappen’s victory checked McLaren’s momentum at a circuit the place pace and precision are paramount. For Norris, second place narrowed his deficit to Piastri barely after a difficult previous round, the place he was compelled to retire.
Monza, the temple of pace, has delivered many historic moments. This yr’s version could show one of the important. Verstappen not solely reclaimed the highest step of the rostrum however etched his title into historical past with the quickest lap Components 1 has ever seen.
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