It’s safe to say few onlookers were expecting a Max Verstappen pole position at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, but some messy runs from the competition enabled the Red Bull driver to find his footing at the front of the field.

He was a clear winner, but we have more winners and losers to share after this record-breaking pole run.

Winners and losers from the 2025 Italian Grand Prix qualifying

Winner: Max Verstappen

It might be a step too far to claim that no one predicted a Max Verstappen pole position, but it’s certainly true that a good majority of predictions for the sharp end of the Italian Grand Prix starting grid centered on drivers from two outfits: The dominant McLaren and the hometown Ferrari.

And then: Max Verstappen.

We’ve long since bypassed the point where it would b

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