Max Verstappen took pole position at the Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix 2025 being held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza: the 4-time world champion signed, at the wheel of his Red Bull RB21, a record lap: 1’18″792, at an average of 264.681 km/h, the highest ever recorded in Formula 1 history. Thus shattered the previous record that had stood for five years and was achieved by Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes AMG Petronas with 1’18″887.

Conquering the pole, Verstappen thus also received the Queen’s Ring, which was presented to him by the Undersecretary with responsibility for sports and youth, Federica Picchi, and the Mayor of Monza, Paolo Pilotto. The brainchild of Antonio Mariani and Enrico Squarzina, this jewel was made by Guido Guzzi, a goldsmith artist from Monza who, inspired by the Iron Crown, inserted elements that recall the checkered flag and the colors of the Flag of Italy with precious stones set on the ring.

On the front row with the Dutchman, on his second Monza pole, after that of 2021, will be Britain’s Lando Norris (McLaren F1 Team, 1’18″869). In second is the other Woking driver and World Championship leader, Australian Oscar Piastri (1’18″982) and the first of the Ferraristi, Charles Leclerc (1’19″007). Lewis Hamilton finished with the fifth fastest time at the wheel of the second red, but, due to the penalty he received at the previous Dutch GP, he will start from the fifth row. Seventh time but sixth at the start was Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a product of the ACI nursery: the Mercedes driver from Bologna stopped the clock at 1’19″200. The 96th Italian GP will start tomorrow at 3 p.m. and will be run on the traditional 53 laps.

Monza Saturday heard the Hymn of Mameli resound thanks to Leonardo Fornaroli (Invicta Racing): the driver from Piacenza dominated the Formula 2 sprint race, consolidating his lead in the standings. Thanks to a precise maneuver, he overtook poleman Dino Beganovic and then confidently managed the lead until the checkered flag. Podium completed by Briton Arvid Lindblad (Campos Racing) and Paraguayan Joshua Durksen (AIX Racing). Seventh
Gabriele Minì (Prema).

The Formula 3 race was won by Poland’s Roman Bilinski (Rodin Motorsport). Italians: Nicola Marinangeli (AIX Racing) 20th, Brando Badoer (Prema) 27th and Nicola Lacorte (DAMS Lucas Oil) 28th.

On the ACI terrace, Extraordinary Commissioner, Tullio Del Sette, wanted to meet a delegation from Numia Vero Volley Milano, the women’s team that plays in the Superleague and trains and plays several matches at the Opiquad Arena in Monza. “This is one of the sporting excellences of the area,” the General stressed, before donating – together with ACI Sub-Commissioner Giovanni Battista Tombolato -, a scarf reproducing the design of the poster of the Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix 2025 to Elena Petrini, Emma Cagnin, Nicole Modesti, Francesca Bosio, Vita Akimova and team manager Mariana Carrati. Last season the volleyball players won a bronze medal in the Champions League and at the World Cup they played in the Scudetto final and finished second in the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa.

The meeting between ACI top management and Numia Vero Volley Milano was also attended by three young drivers of the ACI Team Italia national team in rallies. They are Francesco Dei Ceci, engaged this year in the FIA European Rally Championship, Matteo Greco and Giacomo Marchioro participating in the Italian Absolute Rally Junior Championship, representing the federal nursery in road competitions.