Autodromo Nazionale Monza, identified to all within the motorsport world merely as Monza, is named the Temple of Pace for a cause.
Max Verstappen helped Monza reside as much as its title on Saturday with a qualifying efficiency that may echo all through F1’s storied historical past.
The Pink Bull driver and four-time champion rocketed to pole place on the Temple of Pace Saturday with a lap of 1:18.792, the quickest lap within the legendary circuit’s historical past. But when that was not sufficient, that lap time over the three.6-mile circuit translated to a mean velocity of 164.47 miles per hour, making Verstappen’s effort the quickest qualifying lap within the historical past of the game.
“It was good,” mentioned Verstappen of his closing push lap in Q3. “It’s at all times powerful round right here. Low downforce, simple to make errors on the braking or on entries as a result of it’s a must to commit, however with low downforce, that’s not at all times simple. Additionally, you recognize, the closing speeds in sure corners to hit the apex completely.
“However I believe that closing lap was fairly respectable. To get pole right here for us is massive. It’s not at all times been an excellent monitor for us, particularly final yr was fairly a little bit of a catastrophe. So, yeah, this yr a lot better and really completely satisfied to be first.”
Requested about setting that new report, in addition to this technology of automobiles, by Luke Smith of The Athletic, Verstappen gave credit score to the automobile and driver whose report he broke, the 164.27 mph report set by Lewis Hamilton at Monza in 2020.
“[This generation of cars] are fairly respectable within the excessive velocity. They’re fairly fast in a straight line. In fact, the low velocity, that’s the place we lose out in comparison with the earlier technology. And yeah, on some tracks you are able to do these lap information now,” began Verstappen.
“Actually, I didn’t even take into consideration that after I crossed the road, nevertheless it’s good. It didn’t really feel too unhealthy. The automobiles have been enjoyable. Additionally, the brand new tarmac helps round right here, kerbing – just like the kerbs opened up a bit of bit. I believe the 2020 Mercedes continues to be faster in the event you would put it on the monitor now, nevertheless it’s been good. At some tracks it’s extra enjoyable than others.”
As for whether or not the unimaginable tempo the RB21 confirmed on Saturday will translate to a win on Sunday, Verstappen held his playing cards near the vest.
“Troublesome to say,” added Verstappen. “I believe this season to date, the race tempo has not at all times been nice. So I hope that I can do one thing tomorrow, however I believe anyway it’s been an awesome day for us. We’ve been aggressive right this moment. We’ll attempt to do one of the best we will tomorrow, however in fact to remain right here might be powerful, however we’ll see what we will do.”
