Max Verstappen says Red Bull have “taken another step forward” after a commanding Italian Grand Prix victory restored some momentum to the reigning drivers’ champion and ended an eight-race winless run. The Dutchman won by more than 19 seconds at Monza, taking pole with a record qualifying lap and then delivering the fastest race in Formula 1 history.
Despite the upturn, a fifth successive title remains unlikely this season. Verstappen trails McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri by 94 points with eight rounds remaining, plus three sprint races, a maximum of 224 points still on the table. The Monza win, his third of the year, follows second place at home in Zandvoort and trims none of Piastri’s advantage after McLaren secured a controlled double podium.
Verstappen said recent weekends had felt like “being a passenger” as Red Bull chased set-up direction, but Monza brought balance and more predictable tyre behaviour. “This weekend has been another step forward with the behaviour of the car and that also then shows in the race,” he told reporters, while noting McLaren’s safety-car gamble flattered the final margin.
Verstappen’s pole came with a record lap, and his race time of 1:13:24.325 set a new benchmark for the fastest grand prix on record by average speed, eclipsing Michael Schumacher’s 2003 mark, a statistical flourish that underlined Red Bull’s return to form.
The victory was Red Bull’s first since Laurent Mekies took over as team principal in July following Christian Horner’s dismissal. Verstappen credited Mekies’ engineering-led approach with “asking the right questions” and helping the team define a clearer development path. Red Bull’s reshuffle was confirmed in early July, with Mekies moving across from the sister outfit.
Behind Verstappen, McLaren prioritised its title campaign. Lando Norris finished second after Oscar Piastri handed the place back on team orders following a slow pit stop, a decision both drivers later defended as fair amid the championship fight. Piastri’s lead over Norris stands at 31 points with eight races to run.
Red Bull’s straight-line efficiency and tyre control at Monza suggest the team has rediscovered a reliable window, but the remaining calendar features a broader mix of circuits. If the RB car’s improved balance carries over, Verstappen may yet pressure McLaren, though the points maths still favours Piastri. For now, Red Bull have proof of progress and a marker laid down for the autumn run-in
