MONZA OWNS F1’S TWO ULTIMATE SPEED RECORDS
Max Verstappen set the fastest average-speed lap in Formula 1 history at Monza in 2025—then won the fastest World Championship Grand Prix ever the following day.
Monza has been known as the Temple of Speed for decades. In 2025, Max Verstappen made that title more literal than ever.
Across one Italian Grand Prix weekend, the Red Bull driver established Formula 1’s ultimate qualifying-speed benchmark and its all-time Grand Prix average-speed record.
THE FASTEST LAP IN F1 HISTORY
Verstappen secured pole position with a lap of 1:18.792, covering Monza at an average speed of 264.682 km/h.
It was the fastest average-speed lap recorded in Formula 1 history.
The lap replaced Lewis Hamilton’s previous benchmark, set at the same circuit in 2020. Hamilton’s 1:18.887 pole lap averaged 264.362 km/h.
Verstappen improved the lap time by just 0.095 seconds, but increased the average-speed record by 0.320 km/h.
Monza has now produced the three most recent versions of Formula 1’s fastest-lap record:
Kimi Räikkönen, 2018 — 263.587 km/h → Lewis Hamilton, 2020 — 264.362 km/h → Max Verstappen, 2025 — 264.682 km/h
The margins are small, but the progression shows how difficult the record has become to move.
THE FASTEST GRAND PRIX IN F1 HISTORY
One day after setting the qualifying benchmark, Verstappen completed all 53 laps of the Italian Grand Prix in 1:13:24.325.
His average speed across the full race was 250.706 km/h, making it the fastest World Championship Grand Prix in Formula 1 history.
The previous record had stood for 22 years.
Michael Schumacher completed the 2003 Italian Grand Prix in 1:14:19.838 at an average speed of 247.585 km/h. Verstappen’s 2025 performance raised that benchmark by 3.121 km/h and reduced the total race time by 55.513 seconds.
Both records were set at Monza.
Both were broken by Verstappen during the same weekend.
TWO DIFFERENT MEASURES OF SPEED
The qualifying record measures the average speed of one maximum-attack lap: 264.682 km/h.
The Grand Prix record measures the winner’s average speed across the entire race distance, including the start, tyre management, pit stop and every racing lap: 250.706 km/h.
That distinction makes Verstappen’s achievement unusual. He did not simply produce Formula 1’s fastest single lap—he converted that speed into the fastest complete Grand Prix the championship has recorded.
THE TARGETS FOR 2026
As Formula 1 returns to Monza, the two numbers to beat are now clear:
1:18.792 and 264.682 km/h over one lap.
1:13:24.325 and 250.706 km/h over 53 laps.
The circuit was already Formula 1’s Temple of Speed. Verstappen’s 2025 weekend gave it the records to prove it.
