F1 Italian GP: Max Verstappen’s amazing pole lap at Monza explained through telemetry data. Max Verstappen delivered a stunning pole position at the Italian GP in Monza.

Only Max Verstappen could take pole like this: Italian GP telemetry analysis

For several years now, Max Verstappen has been widely regarded as the best driver on the Formula 1 grid. As many commentators often point out, his performances sometimes leave fans asking themselves a simple question: “How did he manage that?”

His pole position today at the Italian Grand Prix falls exactly into that category. Thanks to the telemetry data, we can break down how the Dutch driver produced such a remarkable lap at Monza.

The decisive move

During the final free practice session, Red Bull made an important change to Verstappen’s car by trimming the rear wing of the RB21. The goal was clear: reduce drag and increase top speed on the long straights that define the Temple of Speed.

Of course, in Formula 1 every choice comes with a compromise. This adjustment meant sacrificing downforce, which makes the car more difficult to handle through corners. Yet, for Max Verstappen, this drawback proved almost irrelevant, as he was still able to push the car to its absolute limit.

Verstappen vs Norris

The telemetry shows just how effective this decision was. Verstappen achieved a higher top speed than his rivals (blue circles), giving him a clear advantage on the straights. In the more technical middle sector of the lap (orange circles), the Red Bull driver was not as strong as the McLaren of Lando Norris, but he managed to minimize the time loss in the corners.

The result was extraordinary: Verstappen secured pole position by just 77 thousandths of a second. Not only that, but his lap set a brand-new record at the legendary Italian track, as well as the highest average speed ever seen in Formula 1 qualifying at 264.681 km/h.

What to expect for the race

On paper, Verstappen may face more difficulties in the race itself. The McLarens are expected to be strong competitors, and the Red Bull driver will likely suffer from greater tyre wear over long stints. This could force him into adopting a two-stop strategy on Sunday.

Nevertheless, one fact remains certain: only a driver like Max Verstappen could deliver a performance of this magnitude at Monza. His lap was not just fast but also flawless—something very few drivers could achieve when pushing the limits to such an extreme level.

Any other driver, attempting to extract so much from the car, would almost certainly have made a mistake. Verstappen, however, did not. And that is precisely what makes him special.