Posted: 13:35, 10 September 2022 | Updated: 16:26, 10 September 2022
Charles Leclerc gave Monza the pole he wanted by painting it red. The Ferrari man finished a tenth-and-a-half ahead of championship leader Max Verstappen to send the crowd into a frenzy. Even a fireman clapped. There are no neutrals in these parts. Leclerc’s chances improve after Verstappen served a ‘five-place’ penalty which drops him down the order – he is expected to start fourth once those below him are out. The Dutchman’s relegation makes a run, at least, rather than a waltz into what would have been his fifth straight win. Nine drivers were penalized on the grid. It means Mercedes’ George Russell, who was sixth fastest, will share the front row with Leclerc. McLaren’s Lando Norris moves up from seventh to third after the snakes and ladders. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third fastest, but went to the back of the grid with Lewis Hamilton, who was fifth fastest. Nyck de Vries was drafted in by Williams at the 11th hour after Alex Albon was ruled out with appendicitis. The Dutchman acquitted himself very well after training just an hour before qualifying, in which he overtook team-mate Nicolas Latifi. De Vries was 13th fastest as opposed to Latifi’s 18th. This is embarrassing for the Canadian. A minute’s silence will be observed before Sunday’s game for the late Queen, a repeat of the memorial before training on Friday. The Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, will be present for the grid ceremonies. RECAP Sportsmail’s live blog for relevant updates as the Formula 1 campaign continues at the Italian Grand Prix.
