Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have been all set to do battle back as they share some»box-office» front at Sunday’s Italian GP, with dwelling favourites Ferrari trying to eventually end Mercedes’ Monza dominance.
Leclerc, Ferrari’s brand new star who just hauled off Hamilton a week back in Spa, starts on rod and will have the weight of a country on his shoulders since the in-form young Monegasque bids for the Scuderia’s first win in front of the ardent’Tifosi’ lovers since 2010.
The race starts at 2.10pm on Sky Sports F1, together with accumulation at 12.30pm.
«Seeing all the fans as mad as [Saturday] was unbelievable,» Leclerc told Sky F1 after topping a eccentric qualifying session. «I really hope to see them that way [on Sunday] below the podium.»
However, with Sebastian Vettel fourth in the Ferrari, Leclerc is vulnerable.
Hamilton begins just behind the 21-year-old and will direct Mercedes’ charge ahead of Valtteri Bottas, along with the Silver Arrows are convinced considering than they ever anticipated the fastest monitor of F1 they have been considerably closer.
«I really like that it is that close and it’s not several tenths,» explained Hamilton, only 0.039s away Leclerc on Saturday.
With Hamilton the victor on four of these occasions mercedes have won the past five races at Monza. This past year, he handed Vettel to the first lap before hunting down team-mate Kimi Raikkonen’s after Ferrari’s qualifying one-two.
He is in an even better place in 2019.
«I certainly think we can keep up with them,» added the championship leader, who will try to expand his 65-point benefit. «Whether or not we can close the gap and overtake them, time will tell.
«I have to be grateful that I am on the front . We expect to get a struggle with all the Ferraris, which is fine. We have split themas a team it is a great position for us to maintain.»
Leclerc said:»It is going to be very, very difficult because, to begin with, they are quick, secondly, slipstream and DRS are very important . For certain it’s going to be somewhat difficult to maintain them , although I believe that the race pace is quite good, better than in Spa.
«I feel an excellent beginning from myself and from Seb will be quite vital for the good result.» .
The prospect of Leclerc vs Hamilton enthuses sky F1’s Paul Di Resta back again.
«It’s box office,» said Di Resta. «Ferrari on pole gets the crowd going. They’ve adopted Charles.
«Lewis must do some overtaking to win this race, as he did last year. Tricky circumstances, it needs to be helpful.»
Vettel, without a success in over a year, will begin before the Renaults with Daniel Ricciardo ahead of Nico Hulkenberg Saturday, following their excellent. With the fourth row is shared by Red Bull’s and carlos Sainz Alex Albon.
And keep an eye out for an exciting Max Verstappen series, behind Lando Norris along with Pierre Gasly who also have motor penalties , with the Dutchman ready 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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