Verstappen Leads Monza into the F1 History Books
They call it the ‘Temple of Speed’ for a reason, and at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen gave Monza a new sermon on pure, unadulterated velocity. The Dutch maestro obliterated a record that has stood for over two decades, cementing this race as the fastest Grand Prix in Formula 1 history.
For 22 years, Michael Schumacher’s 2003 blitz for Ferrari was the benchmark, a seemingly untouchable ghost in the machine. Not anymore. Starting from pole (and only losing his leader position once), Verstappen put on a masterclass in relentless pace, crossing the line in a staggering 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 24.325 seconds.
His average speed? A mind-melting 250.706 km/h, shaving over a minute off Schuey’s legendary time and becoming only the second driver in 54 years to break the fastest race record. It was a clinic in execution from the Red Bull ace, who called it a “fantastic execution by everyone” and “super enjoyable”, an under-statement of epic proportions.
While Verstappen disappeared into the distance, his rivals were left to fight for the scraps. The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri provided the main drama of the afternoon, with team bosses asking Piastri to let Norris through into second place after a shoddy pit stop. Norris would finish a distant 19 seconds behind Verstappen, securing P2 for the seventh time this season. Piastri held on for P3, his lowest finish since Canada, six races ago, but crucially maintained his championship lead over his teammate.
The passionate Tifosi, hoping for a home podium, were alas left with a familiar feeling of what-could-have-been. Charles Leclerc brought his Ferrari home in P4, marking the fifth consecutive year that the lead Scuderia car had finished fourth at its home race. Meanwhile, his teammate Lewis Hamilton finished in P6, a great effort considering he started 10th on a track ‘that’s impossible to overtake on’.
Anyway, as the dust settled on the historic asphalt, one thing was clear, Monza had witnessed something special. With his 66th career win, Verstappen not only conquered the Temple of Speed but rewrote its sacred texts – leaving fans to wonder what other records might fall this season.
Dave Mcleod – Motoring Writer
