Lando Norris secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, giving himself a fantastic opportunity to further reduce Max Verstappen’s lead in the Formula One title.
Norris, who was down by 70 points in the drivers’ standings, finished in a one-two with teammate Oscar Piastri in one minute and 19.327 seconds. Verstappen of Red Bull came in eighth, over seven tenths of a second behind.
In a car that appears capable of a similar outcome as last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, where he romped home to victory nearly 23 seconds ahead of the three-time champion Verstappen, British driver Norris secured his fourth pole of the season and second in a row.
Norris and Piastri’s dominating performance is excellent news for McLaren, who trail Red Bull by just 30 points in the constructors’ title.
We were perhaps not quite prepared for us to leave with a 1-2 and another pole, in my opinion. Naturally, though, in a positive sense,” Norris said to the press.
Verstappen’s issues persisted, with the Dutchman lamenting over handling and a lack of grip on the freshly patched asphalt at the Temple of Speed over the team radio.
After taking first place at seven of the first ten races, the 26-year-old has only finished on the podium in two of the last five races.
Mercedes announced on Saturday morning that Hamilton would be replaced by teenage rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has had an eventful weekend after crashing and damaging Russell’s car in Friday’s first practice.
The Italian, who celebrated his 18th birthday last weekend, nearly crashed out of his Formula Two sprint race almost straight after the start, but managed to get back on the track and finish in 18th.
However Mercedes did not say for how long Antonelli’s contract would run and team chief Toto Wolff didn’t close the door on snatching Verstappen for 2026 when asked if he discarded the idea.
“If flirting outside happens, then they will know it before me. These guys will know it at the same time,” Wolff told reporters on Saturday.
Another rookie Franco Colapinto will have a tough debut F1 race after replacing struggling Logan Sargeant who was axed by Williams after a disastrous weekend at Zandvoort.