What's the issue with Formula 1's leading driver Max Verstappen?
In the Italian Grand Prix qualifiers, McLaren driver Lando Norris clinched the top spot, pushing the Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen further under pressure. Norris set a blistering pace at the Monza track, outshining his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri and George Russell from Mercedes. This is Norris' fifth career pole position and his fourth of the season.
Verstappen, who has been grappling with poor performances, could only manage a seventh place finish in his Red Bull. The Dutch champion was outperformed by both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes. Hamilton, a five-time winner at Monza, will switch to Ferrari next year. Nico Hülkenberg from Haas secured the tenth spot on the grid.
"The situation is escalating"
Verstappen was nearly three-tenths of a second slower than Norris. Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko expressed concern, "We're scratching our heads. Something's not adding up. The situation is escalating."
Verstappen maintains a substantial 70-point lead in the drivers' championship before the 16th race of the season (Sunday, 3 pm/CET on RTL and Sky, as well as in the live ticker on ntv.de), but Red Bull's dominance appears to be waning. Verstappen, seeking his fourth consecutive title, has gone winless for five races now. Red Bull's lead over McLaren in the constructors' championship has narrowed to just 30 points.
"This is wonderful," Norris exclaimed after securing yet another pole. Piastri's impressive rookie performance and making the front row with the two McLarens further bolsters the team's overall performance.
Argentine Franco Colapinto, who will temporarily replace dismissed American Logan Sargeant at Williams for the remainder of the season, finished 18th in his qualifying debut. The Sauber duo continued to struggle during the qualifiers.
The following weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, Red Bull's concern over Verstappen's performance escalated further.The following day's race results showed a continued narrowing of Red Bull's lead in the constructors' championship due to Verstappen's winless streak.
