Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are set to do battle as they share some»box-office» front row at Sunday’s Italian GP, with home favourites Ferrari trying to eventually end Mercedes’ Monza dominance.
Leclerc, Ferrari’s new star who only held off Hamilton one week back in Spa, starts on pole and is going to have the weight of a country on his shoulders as the in-form young Monegasque bids to the Scuderia’s first triumph in front of their ardent’Tifosi’ lovers since 2010.
The race begins at 2.10pm on Sky Sports F1, with accumulation at 12.30pm.
«Seeing all of the lovers as mad as [Saturday] was unbelievable,» Leclerc told Sky F1 after rolling out a eccentric qualifying session. «I really expect to see that way [on Sunday] below the podium.»
However, with Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari that is sister, Leclerc is exposed.
Hamilton begins just behind the 21-year-old and will lead Mercedes’ charge before Valtteri Bottas, and also the Silver Arrows are convinced considering they have been nearer to Ferrari than they expected the fastest track of F1.
«I love that it’s that close and it’s not several tenths,» said Hamilton, only 0.039s off Leclerc on Saturday.
Mercedes have won the past five races at Monza, with Hamilton the victor. This past year, he passed Vettel to the first lap before searching following Ferrari’s qualifying one-two.
He is in an even better position in 2019.
«I certainly think we can keep them up,» added the championship leader, who will try to extend his 65-point benefit. «Whether or not we could close the gap and overtake themtime will tell.
«I need to be grateful that I’m on the front . We get to get a fight with the Ferraris, which will be fine. We have split themas a group it’s a great place for us to maintain.»
Leclerc said:»It is obviously going to be very, very hard because, to start with, they’re quick, secondly, slipstream and DRS are very important . I believe the race rate is quite good in Spa, but for sure it is going to be tough to maintain them .
«I feel an excellent beginning from myself and from Seb will be quite vital for the great result.» .
The prospect of Leclerc vs Hamilton enthuses the Paul Di Resta of sky F1 .
«It has box office,» said Di Resta. «Ferrari on pole gets the crowd going. They have embraced Charles.
«Lewis must do a little overtaking to acquire this raceas he did last year. Tricky conditions, it should be good.»
Vettel, with no victory in over a year, will begin before the Renaults after their excellent with Daniel Ricciardo ahead of Nico Hulkenberg. Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Alex Albon discuss the row.
And watch out behind Pierre Gasly who have motor penalties and Lando Norris , with the Dutchman prepared to do some overtaking as he starts at the rear of the grid.
Italian GP Provisional Grid
1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
4) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
5) Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
6) Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
7) Carlos Sainz, McLaren
8) Alex Albon, Red Bull
9) Lance Stroll, Racing Point
10) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
11) Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
12) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
13) Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso
14) Romain Grosjean, Haas
15) Sergio Perez, Racing Point
16) George Russell, Williams
17) Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
18) Lando Norris, McLaren
19) Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
20) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
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