Norris claims Italian Grand Prix pole with Verstappen only seventh

Norris is 70 points behind Verstappen with nine rounds and 254 points still to play for.

McLaren driver Lando Norris celebrates his pole position after qualifying session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. Picture: AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Lando Norris continued his bid for world championship glory by taking a brilliant pole position at the Italian Grand Prix - as his rival Max Verstappen could manage only seventh.

Six days after his emphatic win in the Netherlands, Norris took top spot at Monza's 'Temple of Speed' with team-mate Oscar Piastri second as McLaren locked out the front row.