THE BIG PICTURE: [Editor's Note: Just last week, Deep Throtte wrote this: "At this point, even a patented Max miracle drive might not make a difference anymore for the remainder of the season." Then, Max Verstappen goes out to grab pole and take a dominate win to make an ass out of Deep Throttle. We keep trying to fire Deep Throttle, but Deep Throttle just won't go away.]

EVENT: In the old days, well back during the Michael Schumacher era, if the Ferraris dropped out, the tifosi would leave Monza en masse while the race was still going on. Now, they have found ways to enjoy the event (albeit, at a lesser amount), even if their beloved cars don't even make the podium.

TRACK: This is supposed to be a track, though wicked fast, which is not conducive to passing. But the first part of the race proved otherwise. And those Formula 3 races -- whoa Nellie! -- were the definition of wild entertainment.

QUALIFYING: Out of nowhere Verstappen grabs pole, Norris at least beats out Piastri, Ferrari gives something for the tifosi to cheer about, Bortoleto shines, Williams lost their Friday speed, and Hadjar disappoints.

RACE: Despite all the excitement early on, it was pretty evident how it was going to play out at the front. Only a safety car could have changed that.

START: Norris absolutely goes for it putting it in the grass, Verstappen cheats by cutting the corner but eventually gives it back, Leclerc and Piastri go back and forth, Antonelli gets a terrible start, all while we try to catch our breaths.

VERSTAPPEN: Went to a setup his own team wasn't sure about, and then promptly smacked down the field.

NORRIS: He finished ahead of Piastri, which is what Lando needs to do just about every time out now. But he finished second, so only a three point gain which makes it feel like a lost opportunity.

PIASTRI: Willing to play the team game ... but of course, he has the luxury to.

MCLAREN: They are consistent in their team orders application. We'll give them that.

LECLERC: Oh so close to a tifosi podium delirium.

HAMILTON: Lewis can't be too unhappy with his overall weekend performance.

WILLIAMS: Their usual Monza exploits and the performance on Friday didn't pan out the way they had hoped. But...

ALBON: ...Alex's bold strategy of starting on hards and superb driving salvaged a solid finish.

SAINZ: This time Carlos was on the other end of the Stewards' decision, when again it probably was just a racing incident.

BORTOLETO: A solid, solid performance all weekend. Gabriel and Isack Hadjar are definitely the leading contenders for the unofficial rookie of the year title.

HADJAR: Speaking of which, Isack went from a pit lane start to the final points position.

HULKENBERG: Ever since Nico finally got his first podium, it seems the racing gods placed a curse on him.

ALONSO: You could see Fernando's suspension vibrate itself apart.

HERTA: Racing drivers are known for taking risks, but still a bold, bold move by Colton. He was stuck in a seemingly dead end situation with his Indy car team, but to leave that for no F1 promises whatsoever and take a "step down" to Formula 2, will be discussed for years to come.

F2: The tifosi did get to cheer a fellow countryman as Leonardi Fornaroli won the sprint race. The feature race saw some of the worst piss poor driving in F2 history as Brit Luke Browning ended up with the win. Fornaroli's championship lead is 21 points over Browning.

F3: A wild start led to a wild race led to a wild last lap restart shootout in the sprint as Pole Roman Bilinski took the win. The feature race saw an all American front row, but it was Thai driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak from fourth starting position who won to end the season which was already clinched by Brazilian Rafael Câmara.

WORD OF THE WEEKEND: Fast.

STAT OF THE WEEKEND: The fastest single lap in F1 history (Max Verstappen's pole lap speed of 164.465 mph) and the fastest F1 race ever run (1:13:24.325 for an average speed of 155.791 mph).

HISTORICAL STAT OF THE WEEKEND: It should be no surprise that Ferrari has 23 poles at Monza, the most of any team. Despite Alberto Ascari winning the race in 1951, the first pole came the following year when Ascari got it driving the Ferrari 500 followed by two other Ferrari drivers, Luigi Villoresi and Nino Farini. He went on to repeat his victory.

TWEET OF THE WEEKEND: @ConorDaly22 on Colton Herta's move:

This dude has next level skills. I'm gunna be a front row cheerleader draped in merch for whatever @ColtonHerta is driving overseas. #f1

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: When seeing on the big screens Sainz and Bearman collide and spin, knowing a safety car could kill his chances of a win, Max Verstappen apparently said, "Oh no! Continue, please!"

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Max Verstappen getting a kick out of being told the McLaren drivers swapped positions under team orders, "Ha! Just because he had a slow stop?"

SCHEDULE: A week off before congregating at Baku, always an unpredictable street race.

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