Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, giving the reigning Formula One champion a chance to put up a fight against McLaren's dominance at Monza.
The Dutchman, who has won the last four drivers' titles with Red Bull, will start in the front row along with Lando Norris, who was just ahead of his McLaren teammate and current leader, Oscar Piastri.
"It was tight, we were still lacking a tiny amount and we made some final changes which I think allowed me to push a bit more and that’s exactly what you need in qualifying," Verstappen said.
"For us, it’s a great moment," the Red Bull driver said.
"Historically this season the race has always been a little bit more complicated for us, but we are going to give it everything we have. That’s the only thing we can do and then we will see what happens tomorrow."
"Max has been quick all weekend and it’s never a surprise with Max," McLaren’s Norris said.
"It was quite a session from me, up and down and too many mistakes here and there. But to put it together on the last lap, I was pretty happy with P2," he added.
Charles Leclerc qualified fourth for Ferrari at the Italian Scuderia's home race, just ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who will start Sunday's race in 10th position due to a five-place grid penalty.
Leclerc briefly topped the standings early in Q3, eliciting loud cheers from the Ferrari fans, which soo turned to groans from the passionate red-clad tifosi when Verstappen went faster moments later.
Verstappen has secured pole position 44 times but only once at the Temple of speed, where he has won twice.