Charles Leclerc takes pole for Italian Grand Prix as leader Max Verstappen prepares to start fourth after NINE drivers hit with grid penalties… with Lewis Hamilton stuck at the back in Monza
- Charles Leclerc delivered pole position home for Ferrari at Monza
- Saturday’s session was dominated by grid penalties that shuffled the order
- Championship leader Max Verstappen is expected to start the race in fourth
By Jonathan Mcevoy for Mailonine
Published: 13:35, 10 September 2022 | Updated: 16:36, 10 September 2022
Charles Leclerc gave Monza the pole it wanted by painting qualifying red.
The Ferrari man finished a tenth and a half ahead of championship leader Max Verstappen to delight the stands. Even a fire marshal applauded. There are no neutrals in these parts.
Leclerc’s chances are improved with Verstappen taking a ‘five place’ penalty which drops him down the order – he is expected to start fourth when those below are also ruled out.
It was a Saturday of joy for Ferrari and Charles Leclerc when he took pole position at Monza
Ferrari had great support for their home race and Leclerc set the fastest lap time
The Dutchman’s demotion makes a run, at least, rather than a waltz to what would be his fifth straight victory.
Nine drivers are penalized on the grid. That means Mercedes’ George Russell, who was sixth fastest, will share the front row with Leclerc.
McLaren’s Lando Norris climbs from seventh to third after the snakes and ladders have played out.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third fastest, but he goes to the bottom of the grid with Lewis Hamilton, who was fifth fastest.
Max Verstappen was second fastest but his grid penalty means he will start fourth
Lewis Hamilton could do little as his grid penalty forces him to start from 19th position
Nyck de Vries was drafted in by Williams at the 11th hour after Alex Albon was ruled out with appendicitis. The Dutchman acquitted himself well after an hour of pre-qualifying practice, in which he edged out team-mate Nicholas Latifi.
De Vries was 13th fastest compared to Latifi’s 18th. This is embarrassing for the Canadian.
There will be a minute’s silence before Sunday’s race for the late Queen, a repeat of the remembrance before Friday’s practice. Italian President Sergio Mattarella will attend the grilling rituals.
RECAP Sportsmail’s live blog for qualifying updates as the Formula 1 campaign continues at the Italian Grand Prix.