Ferrari sports director Laurent Mekies explains how the Scuderia was able to shine in Monza qualifying. But he also warns: “We know that it will not be easy to hold the lead and bring victory home.”
With thunderous cheers, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc secured pole for his team’s home game in Monza. On his pole lap, the Monegasque was 0.145 seconds faster than World Championship leader Max Verstappen, who has to start from 7th place due to an engine penalty. The joy of the success of the World Cup runners-up was written all over the faces of the whole team from Maranello.
Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies also enthused: “To be on pole position in front of a full house in Monza for the first time in two years is a very special feeling. We dedicate this success to all our Tifosi who support us tirelessly. Charles did a very good job because he did another perfect lap.”
There was also praise for Carlos Sainz, who set the third fastest lap time but had to start from 18th due to an engine penalty. Mekies explained: “Carlos also drove very well, he drove similar times to his team-mate and took advantage of the slipstream. We’ve done that in France and Belgium and to get it right you need a good relationship between the drivers.”
And the Frenchman emphasized: “Since the last races we have worked hard in Maranello to get back to the highest level of performance and thanks to everyone’s efforts, the qualifying result is a first step in the right direction.”
At the same time, Mekies also warned: “Of course it’s only Saturday and the points won’t be awarded until tomorrow. We know it won’t be easy to keep the lead and bring home the win because we’ve seen Max can win starting from the back and so far Mercedes have always been quicker in the race than in qualifying.”
Starting line-up Monza
01. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:20,161 min
02. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:21,542
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:21.584
04. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, 1:21.925
05. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, 1:22.648
06. Fernando Alonso (L), Alpine, Keine Zeit
07. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:20,306*
08. Nyck de Vries (NL), Williams, 1:22.471
09. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,577
10. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, 1:22,587
11. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, 1:22,636
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:22,748
13. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:21.206*
14. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:22,130*
15. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,235*
16. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:22.908*
17. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, 1:23,005*
18. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:20.429*
19. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:21,524*
20. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, no time*
*Penal Transfer
Qualifying, Monza
01. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:20,161 min
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:20,306
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:20.429
04. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:21.206
05. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:21,524
06. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:21,542
07. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:21.584
08. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, 1:21.925
09. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, 1:22.648
10. Fernando Alonso (L), Alpine, ohne Zeit
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:22,130
12. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,235
13. Nyck de Vries (NL), Williams, 1:22.471
14. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,577
15. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, without time
16. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, 1:22,587
17. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, 1:22,636
18. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:22,748
19. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:22.908
20. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, 1:23,005