Marko believes Verstappen has a genuine chance of winning at Monza.

      "If Max can maintain his lead"

      Max Verstappen unexpectedly broke McLaren's dominant presence at Monza by securing pole position with the fastest lap in Formula 1 history. The four-time world champion achieved an average speed of 264.682 kph, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s record from five years ago. However, Verstappen, who has faced challenges with Red Bull’s 2025 car, believes it isn’t the fastest car ever. "The asphalt is different and we have new kerbs, making the circuit simply quicker," he told Viaplay. "If you drove the 2020 Mercedes here, you’d go even quicker. Especially if you put me in that car," he added with a smile.

      Verstappen expressed uncertainty about whether his pole position will lead to a win. "Our weak point is usually the race. I expect McLaren to be competitive. They consistently perform better in races than in qualifying." In contrast, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko was more optimistic, despite the fact that pole position seldom leads to victory at Monza in recent times. "If Max can keep ahead, he can effectively manage his lap times and tire wear," he told Sky Deutschland. "The long run on Friday was impressive. Therefore, I’m hopeful this trend won't persist."

      So why does McLaren seem vulnerable all of a sudden? "Our car is very competitive in the corners," admitted team principal Andrea Stella. "Here, we’re the quickest in nearly every corner. However, the corners are relatively short. Overall, we can’t dominate as we do on other tracks." Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who qualified third behind Lando Norris, concurred. "We’re susceptible on specific tracks. When the competition closes in on us, it’s usually Max. The only surprise is how much Red Bull has progressed since last year."

      Marko attributed the difference to Verstappen's exceptional skills. "Only a driving genius like him can achieve that," he remarked, while also noting that Red Bull has adjusted its strategy following Horner's departure, particularly regarding setup and Friday experiments.

      Verstappen downplayed these changes. "Yes and no," he commented. "The car remains sensitive, but we now have a clearer understanding of our setup requirements. While this won't significantly impact next year's setup, it will benefit us in certain ways in the long run."