Max Verstappen stormed to victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, September 7, taking the chequered flag from pole position and shattering Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record for the fastest race in Formula 1 history.
The Red Bull driver completed the 53 laps at Monza in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 24.32 seconds, eclipsing Schumacher’s 2003 benchmark of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19.838 seconds. That race, also at Monza, had stood as the sport’s speed record for more than two decades.
Reflecting on the win, Verstappen said: “Lap 1 was a bit unlucky but after that we were flying. The car was really enjoyable, I could manage the pace and we pitted at the right time. Just fantastic execution by everyone. Step by step, race by race — but this was for us an unbelievable weekend.”
While Verstappen’s dominance at the front was never in doubt, McLaren provided the late drama. Lando Norris had been running second before a costly 5.9-second pit stop dropped him behind teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri. The Australian was later instructed to yield the position, allowing Norris to reclaim second and trim Piastri’s championship lead to 31 points.
Norris admitted he had few complaints despite the setback. “I tried to keep it even on the braking into Turn 1, I always know it is going to be a good fight with Max and it was. One of those weekends where we are a bit slower but a good fight and I enjoyed it. No idea [with the pit stop] but I guess every now and then we make mistakes as a team, and today was one of them. I did everything I could today, I couldn’t do a lot more. I tried to fight with Max but he came out on top and deserved it.”
The victory was Verstappen’s first since Imola in May and only his third of the season, completing a memorable Italian double after he had set the fastest ever lap in Formula 1 history during qualifying on Saturday.
Ferrari enjoyed a respectable showing on home soil, with Charles Leclerc finishing fourth to the delight of the passionate tifosi, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton fought back from a midfield start to secure sixth place.
For Verstappen, already a four-time world champion, the result further cements his reputation at Monza and writes another chapter into Formula 1’s record books.
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