Max Verstappen starts sixth at Italian Grand Prix after rear axle issues

Max Verstappen finished qualifying in sixth position for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza after experiencing a recurring problem with his car’s rear axle. The Red Bull driver reported that the issue affected the vehicle's handling on bumps and kerbs, limiting his performance during the session. Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, finished less than three tenths of a second behind Pierre Gasly, who secured pole position. Team mate Liam Lawson failed to advance to the final qualifying session and will start at the back of the grid due to impending power unit changes. Lawson’s progression was further hindered after being blocked by Oscar Piastri during his final Q2 effort. Red Bull aims to address the technical faults before the 53-lap race to improve the car's setup.