Max Verstappen's Monza story: From fastest lap in F1 history to P5 start at 2026
In an explosive display of speed, Max Verstappen shattered two Formula 1 records at Monza in 2025. With an average of 264.682 km/h, he clocked the fastest qualifying lap in history, while the 2025 Italian Grand Prix itself marked a record for the quickest race ever. Despite this success, Verstappen's performance saw him qualifying fifth for the upcoming 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
The paddock at Monza in 2025 witnessed two extraordinary feats of speed by Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver claimed the fastest qualifying lap in Formula 1 history by average speed, completing 5.793km at an astonishing 264.682 km/h. Verstappen's time of 1:18.792 narrowly surpassed the previous benchmark set by Lewis Hamilton at Monza in 2020.
Later, Verstappen delivered the fastest full-distance Grand Prix ever recorded, averaging 250.706 km/h across the 53-lap Italian Grand Prix. This marked the 2025 Italian Grand Prix as the fastest full-distance race in Formula 1 history by average speed, surpassing Michael Schumacher's 22-year-old record by almost 3.1 km/h. Fast forward to the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, and the story takes a different turn.
Verstappen, who couldn't repeat his 2025 qualifying brilliance, started fifth on the grid behind Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton. Despite this setback, Verstappen still managed to secure a remarkable achievement at Monza, cementing his place as one of the fastest drivers in F1 history.
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