When Max Verstappen said back in Hungary that he did not expect Red Bull to win another grand prix for the remainder of the 2025 season, reality turned out differently. The Dutchman won in Monza, and did so in dominant fashion. Verstappen built a lead of almost 20 seconds, although Lando Norris jokingly said during the post-race press conference: “It was 19, no? I just don't want any misinformation!”
On a more serious note, Verstappen and Red Bull’s superior pace at Monza came as a surprise to many in the paddock, including McLaren. It raises the question: how much of it was Monza-specific, and how much of that performance gives Verstappen hope for the races to come?
