Formula 1: “Great moment”: Verstappen’s coup in the Ferrari home

Max Verstappen blew up the Ferrari party of Monza with a fabulous round in route record time. The four-time Formula 1 world champion shone in the qualification and won the 45th Pole of his career. “This is a great moment for us,” said Verstappen with a pleasant smile, after the 27-year-old had had such big problems with the Red Bull this year.

Praise for Verstappen from the beaten competitor

“He struck again in the last sector,” praised motorsport consultant Helmut Marko – he also trusts Verstappen this Sunday at the Grand Prix of Italy (3 p.m./Sky). Verstappen Lando Norris relegated second place at his fifth Pole this season.

The British World Cup pursuer from leader and team-mate Oscar Piatri had to give up in the McLaren with 77 thousandths of a second. “Max was great,” emphasized Norris. Third finished Piatri, who has 34 points more than Norris in the classification. Verstappen is already lavish 104 points behind the Australian.

Behind the top three, the two Ferrari pilots lined up at the home weekend of the Scuderia: Charles Leclerc in fourth place, Lewis Hamilton in fifth place. The British record world champion has to return five places in the starting line-up last Sunday due to a punishment from Zandvoort.

Perfect atmosphere for a gripping qualifying

The ranks full, blue sky and the view, especially the Ferrari painted in a new age. In honor of Niki Lauda’s first world title, which he had made perfect at the home race in Monza in 1975, Hamilton and Leclerc drove in red and white like Laudas 312t in Ferrari. During the training sessions, the Scuderia duo gave the Tifosi hope.

However, it quickly became apparent that the co-excretion on the high-speed course could become a tight matter. There were enough drivers who wanted to do a little good after a disappointing weekend in the Netherlands. Including Norris.

Hamilton’s feel-good hour in the middle of the Tifosi

The Brit had had to leave the pole to its rival Piatri in Zandvoort. But that’s not all. He was eliminated because of a defect in the race.

George Russell then finished the first period of the qualification in Mercedes. The favorites Norris and Piatri continued relaxed, as did Leclerc or even Verstappen. Hamilton, who noticeably enjoyed the Ferrari love of the fans after his departure of Mercedes and that in Zandvoort after a driving error, also moved into the second round of the co-excretion. But not the surprise third by Zandvoort Isack Hadjar from the Racing Bulls.

Then it got dangerous for Norris. When trying his fast round in the second section, the 25-year-old braks right in front of the first curve and had to leave the harassment out. At the end of the round he drove into the box.

There were still a good six minutes to drive, Norris was last on the tableau without time. The new attempt had to be sitting, it was not enough for a top time, but to the last minute to get on. The fastest was already overwhelmed this time. That made you take notice. Out of this was Nico Hülkenberg in clean – again in contrast to his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto.

In the fight of the fastest ten, Leclerc already caused enthusiasm, but Verstappen pushed himself in front of the Monegassian Ferrari driver and last year’s winner. Behind it: Piatri and Hamilton. Then the second attempts and again was Verstappen, who had left a strong impression even with the so -called Longruns during training the day before.