The Tifosi flock to Monza every season in the hope of seeing a Ferrari win the Italian GP. This season, the home fans could cheer on seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as he took to the track for the first time in scarlet red. The Brit was looking to put on a show for his new fans, despite having a five-place grid drop.
As drivers started arriving at the track on Thursday, the Brit took to social media to ask a key question. The 40-year-old asked, “What’s the fastest lap at Monza?” After qualifying, Hamilton might have regretted this after a surprise result.
Lewis Hamilton savaged after Max Verstappen broke the lap record
Qualifying was vital for Lewis Hamilton with his five-place grid penalty carried over from Zandvoort. The Brit needed to finish as high up as possible to minimise the impact on his race. However, it was his 2021 title rival and four-time world champion Max Verstappen who stole the show.
The Dutchman managed to shock the paddock by beating both McLarens and securing a pole position. In doing so, Verstappen managed to break the lap record by just under a tenth of a second, a lap set by Hamilton in the 2020 season. After the session, F1 fans returned to Hamilton’s earlier question with savage replies.
One person said, “Did not age well.”
Did not age well 😂
— Adrian Smrček (@Adrian_Smrcek) September 6, 2025
Another said, “Aged like milk”, while many more fans sent GIFs of Verstappen to the seven-time world champion.
— JimenezN30 (@JimenezN3O) September 6, 2025
Verstappen only broke the lap record after Lando Norris had originally beaten it to get provisional pole. Verstappen inched past the McLaren driver by 0.077 seconds to grab a surprise pole position.
Lewis Hamilton upbeat after qualifying
Ferrari was looking good after the first runs in Q3, with Charles Leclerc on the provisional front row, with Lewis Hamilton slotting in fourth. However, the McLarens found the pace on the final runs, with both Ferrari drivers unable to improve. This left Leclerc starting in fourth, with Hamilton crossing the line fifth before his penalty was applied.
However, despite starting from P10 in the race, Hamilton believes the weekend has gone well so far. He told the media, “I think it’s generally been a better weekend. It was definitely a solid Qualifying. I felt like I got pretty much most that I wanted out of it.
Why Ferrari Could Finally Return to Glory in Front of the Tifosi at Monza
“I think at the end, the last lap… the last lap just never is as good as you hope it’d be, and that’s something I’ve got to work on for sure with the balance that I have with the car. Otherwise, it was okay.”
Hamilton has it all to do to step on the Monza podium in front of the Tifosi. He will need some luck as well as his skill to complete many overtakes. But with the home crowd pushing him on, the seven-time world champion might just find the pace. Do you think Hamilton can find himself on the podium? Let us know your thoughts.
