Norris Takes Pole Position at Monza, Verstappen Starts Seventh

Lando Norris (McLaren) secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, the 16th race of the Formula 1 World Championship. The British driver claimed his fifth career pole and fourth of the season, putting him in a prime position for the race. Teammate Oscar Piastri will start alongside him, completing a McLaren front row. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen (Red Bull), the championship leader, will face an uphill battle after qualifying seventh. The qualifying session saw a tight fight for the top spots, with the top six drivers separated by less than two tenths of a second. George Russell (Mercedes) secured third place ahead of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, qualified eighth, leaving Red Bull with work to do on race day. Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will start fifth and eleventh, respectively. The race is expected to be exciting, with several drivers looking to make their mark on the legendary Monza circuit.