Saturday at the Temple of Speed delivered one of the most dramatic qualifying sessions of the season as Max Verstappen produced vintage magic to snatch pole position from the dominant McLarens. From Norris’s continued practice form to a heart-stopping Q3 finale, day two showcased why Monza remains Formula 1’s most thrilling venue. What unfolded during the final practice and qualifying sessions? Let us here at Supercars.com.GH explain!
FP3
Lando Norris maintained his weekend dominance by topping FP3 with a commanding 1:19.331, edging Charles Leclerc by just 0.021 seconds as the Ferrari driver endured several heart-stopping moments throughout the session. The McLaren man’s consistency across all practice sessions established him as the clear favorite heading into qualifying.
Leclerc’s session was marked by drama as the Monégasque suffered multiple big moments while pushing his Ferrari to the limit at his team’s home circuit. Despite the scares, he managed to split the McLaren drivers by claiming second, keeping Ferrari’s hopes alive for the passionate Tifosi.
Oscar Piastri secured third for McLaren, maintaining their stranglehold on the top positions, while Max Verstappen could only manage fourth in his Red Bull. The Dutchman’s pace suggested improvements from his Friday struggles, though he remained over two-tenths behind Norris’s benchmark.
George Russell impressed by claiming fifth for Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto continued his remarkable season form by securing sixth for Kick Sauber. The Brazilian’s consistent pace throughout the weekend highlighted the team’s positive trajectory under new leadership.
Qualifying
Verstappen delivered a masterclass in championship-winning mentality, producing a stunning final lap of 1:18.792 to snatch pole position from Norris by just 0.077 seconds in a breathtaking Q3 finale. The Dutchman’s vintage performance ended McLaren’s weekend dominance when it mattered most.
The session was filled with drama from the start as Mercedes employed a unique medium-tire strategy in Q1, with George Russell initially topping the timesheets. Norris endured a nightmare in Q2, locking up heavily at the first chicane and taking to the run-off area, forcing a frantic recovery drive that saw him barely scrape through to Q3.
The decisive Q3 phase delivered classic Monza theater as Verstappen initially led before Norris appeared to have seized control with a brilliant 1:18.869. However, the Dutchman summoned his championship pedigree to respond with a new lap record, leaving the McLaren driver settling for second.
Piastri completed the podium in third, while the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton claimed fourth and fifth, respectively. Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty for his Zandvoort indiscretion will promote several drivers up the order for Sunday’s race.
Gabriel Bortoleto starred by reaching Q3 for Kick Sauber, ultimately qualifying eighth and continuing his impressive rookie campaign. Isack Hadjar suffered heartbreak by exiting in Q1 after his Dutch Grand Prix podium heroics, highlighting Formula 1’s unforgiving nature.
Can Verstappen convert his brilliant pole position into victory at Ferrari’s home circuit? Join Supercars.com.GH tomorrow to find out!