Based on free practice, Mercedes, led by Lewis Hamilton, was expected to be the best candidate for the qualifying session of the F1 Italian Grand Prix, as Red Bull and McLaren finished further back than usual in the practice sessions held at Ferrari’s home. In the 18-minute first stage, Lando Norris was the only one able to get within the 1:20 minute limit, and among the drivers of the leading teams, Sergio Pérez was in trouble, he was still in the relegation zone before the last fast laps. In the end, the Mexican competitor of Red Bull was able to improve enough, so that Juki Cunoda, Lance Stroll, the rookie Franco Colapinto, Valtteri Bottas and Csou Kuan-jü said goodbye in Q1.
Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez during the qualifying session for the F1 Italian Grand Prix
Photo: Gabriel BOUYS / AFP
In the first fast laps run in the quarter-hour Q2, six already came under 1:20 (Lewis Hamilton was the fastest among them), but Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez were also in the lead for the start of the second stage. In the end, the four leading teams did not cause any negative surprises, and in addition to their drivers, Alexander Albon and Nico Hülkenberg entered Q3. The 11-15. in place Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
This happened in the last stage of qualifying for the F1 Italian Grand Prix
In the 12-minute Q3, during the first fast laps, the two Red Bulls performed poorly, and only 7-8. I got to the place. The line pattern was also present further ahead: the two McLarens led before the two Mercedes and the two Ferraris. With the exception of Lewis Hamilton, who finished sixth, the drivers improved, but
Max Verstappen still only finished seventh.
Despite the mistake in his last lap, he is improving, but because of that
Lando Norris, who received his pole in disbelief, won the time trial by 109 thousandths ahead of Oscar Piastri, followed by George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The Williams driver won the Albon-Hülkenberg battle for ninth place.
Lando Norris starts from the front in Monza
Photo: NurPhoto via AFP / Alessio Morgese / NurPhoto
A Form-1-es Italian Grand Prix his weekend ends with the 53-lap Monza race on Sunday from 3 p.m.
