Formula 1 is known as the pinnacle of speed, but not every circuit allows drivers to push their cars to the absolute limit. The fastest laps in F1 history are measured by average speed over a single lap, not just top speed. Thanks to its long straights and low downforce setups, Monza in Italy has earned the name Temple of Speed and is home to all of the fastest laps ever recorded. Below are the top five fastest laps in F1 history.
5. Juan Pablo Montoya – 262.242 km/h (Monza, 2004)
Back in 2004, Juan Pablo Montoya set a flying lap at Monza with an average speed of 262.242 km/h and a lap time of 1:19.525. At the time, it was a groundbreaking achievement, showing how fast the V10 cars of that era could go. Montoya’s name still sits proudly among the legends of speed.
4. Kimi Räikkönen – 263.587 km/h (Monza, 2018)
In 2018, Kimi Räikkönen delivered one of his most famous laps. His pole position effort at Monza averaged 263.587 km/h with a lap time of 1:19.119, which at the time was the quickest lap ever recorded. Known as “The Iceman,” Räikkönen’s lap remains one of the most iconic moments of his career.
3. Lewis Hamilton – 264.362 km/h (Monza, 2020)
Before 2025, Lewis Hamilton held the official record. During qualifying at Monza in 2020, he set a lap time of 1:18.887 with an average speed of 264.362 km/h. Racing for Mercedes in their dominant period, Hamilton’s effort remained the fastest ever for five years, showcasing both his skill and the car’s power.
2. Lando Norris – 264.423 km/h (Monza, 2025)
Lando Norris etched his name into the record books with a lap of 1:18.869, reaching an average speed of 264.423 km/h, breaking Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 benchmark. For a short time, his lap was the fastest ever, until Verstappen went even quicker later in Q3. Norris’ performance proved how competitive and close the field has become at the very top.
1. Max Verstappen – 264.681 km/h (Monza, 2025)
At the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen wrote his name into history. Driving his Red Bull, he set a qualifying lap of 1:18.792, with an average speed of 264.681 km/h. This broke the previous record and is now the fastest lap in Formula 1 history. Verstappen’s achievement shows just how far modern cars have advanced in speed and efficiency.
Why Monza?
All these records were set at Monza for a reason. The circuit is built for speed, with long straights and very few corners. Teams run cars with the lowest downforce setups of the season, allowing drivers to reach higher top speeds and maintain them over a lap. Combined with modern car technology, Monza consistently produces the fastest laps in Formula 1.
Conclusion
From Montoya’s stunning V10 run in 2004 to Verstappen’s record-breaking lap in 2025, the fastest laps in Formula 1 history tell a story of progress. Each generation of car and driver has pushed the limits further. Today, Max Verstappen holds the crown, but with technology constantly improving, the record books may soon be rewritten again, most likely at Monza, the Temple of Speed.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
