What's the issue with Formula One leading figure Max Verstappen?
In the Italian qualifying, Lando Norris from McLaren snatched the pole position, putting Max Verstappen under pressure. He outperformed his fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and George Russell from Mercedes, securing his fifth pole in Formula 1 and fourth this season.
However, it's been a tough run for Verstappen, the reigning champion. Despite being the championship leader, he could only manage a seventh place finish in the Red Bull, trailing behind both Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes. The seven-time world champion will switch to Ferrari for the 2023 Italian Grand Prix.
Back in tenth position was Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg. In his debut qualifying, Argentine Franco Colapinto, set to replace the sacked Logan Sargeant in the Williams cockpit until the end of the season, ended up in 18th place. Meanwhile, Sauber's struggling drivers found themselves below him.
Although Verstappen maintains a substantial 70-point lead over Norris in the drivers' championship, ahead of the 16th race of the season, he's yet to secure a win after five races. In the constructors' championship, Red Bull's lead over McLaren has narrowed to a mere 30 points. Verstappen is striving for his fourth consecutive title, but Red Bull's dominance seems to be waining. (The race is set to air on RTL and Sky at 15:00 CET on Sunday, with live updates available on ntv.de).
In contrast to his teammate Norris' Polish origins, Oscar Piastri is an Australian driver racing for McLaren. Despite growing interest in a potential Polish driver joining Formula 1, no Polish racer currently competes in the elite series.
