Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance to claim victory at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, held at the legendary Monza circuit, known as the ‘Temple of Speed.’ The four-time world champion triumphed in his Red Bull Racing car, outperforming favored competitors from McLaren. This win marked Verstappen’s third success of the season and strengthened his position in the drivers’ championship standings.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s progress, highlighting the dominant nature of Verstappen’s performance. Marko emphasized the remarkable turnaround since recent struggles, praising the driver’s control and pace throughout the race.
“Unbelievable. Two races ago in Hungary, we were still happy to score a point at all and to win here by 20 seconds [19.207s]. And that was actually quite commanding except for the first corner. Max had it under control throughout.”
—Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing Advisor
“Our only concern was a bit of a safety car, so we delayed the pit stop a bit. But then he set the fastest lap – you can’t beat him for that when he’s 20 seconds ahead. But that’s just Max.”
—Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing Advisor
Verstappen Praises Team’s Performance and Strategy in Monza
Speaking after the race, Max Verstappen described the weekend at Monza as “unbelievable,” emphasizing satisfaction with both his performance and the team’s seamless execution. The Dutch driver noted how the race unfolded, particularly his ability to manage tire wear and pace during critical stages.
“It was a great day for us. Lap 1 was a bit unlucky, but after that, we were flying. The car was really enjoyable. I could manage the pace quite well throughout that first stint, and we pitted at the right time.”
—Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Driver
“With the hard tires at the end, you can push a bit more, it’s more resilient. Fantastic execution by everyone, by the whole team. The whole weekend, we were on it. It’s super enjoyable to win here.”
—Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Driver
“I could see the pace was good; I just needed to settle in. I could see the pace was there, and quite quickly we were back in the lead. This was an unbelievable weekend.”
—Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Driver
Significance of the Victory and Upcoming Challenges
Max Verstappen’s triumph in Italy is notable for his largest winning margin of the current Formula 1 season, underscoring his dominance at Monza. The victory also saw Verstappen break the record for the fastest lap in Formula 1 history, complementing his pole position achievement at the circuit. Coming off this impressive performance, Verstappen reduced his deficit in the drivers’ championship to 94 points, intensifying the title race.
Looking ahead, Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will shift their focus to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where they aim to build on their recent success and continue their pursuit of further wins during the 2025 campaign.
