Italy GP Qualifying Report

Not much news at Monza, the Mercedes drivers have signed new contracts, LeClerc hasn't.  The sun was shining down on the Tifosi.  Alfa Romeo were trying to poach some fans by running an Italian flag livery, they weren't fooling anyone as the team is Swiss.  Perez had to change his engine due to an oil leak but it was part of his allocation so he wouldn't be receiving a grid penalty.

In the first Qualifying session, we found out that drivers were finding it tricky to stay within the track limits on Turn 3, with lap times being deleted.  Ocon had a big trip across the gravel and damaged his floor.  It was another awful day for Alpine with both drivers out, Magnussen was out-qualified yet again by his team mate and Zhou.  Brilliantly, Albon finished 2nd and Sargeant 6th for Williams.  Obviously Verstappen set the fastest lap.  With the alternative tyre allocation in place this weekend, everyone ran the hard tyres.  It looked like LeClerc and Sainz went too slowly on the track and were under investigation by the stewards.  The stewards might find a horses head in their hotel rooms.

By the second session, the drivers had found the track limits.  It was a straight forward session, with the Alpha Tauris taking 11th and 12th, Tsunoda and Lawson, then Hulkenberg, Bottas and Sargeant (his team mate Albon managed 5th).

Half way through the final session, the Ferraris were in the lead, the Williams of Albon was still running well and Verstappen had a made a big mistake, going off the track, so was in 3rd.  I think his Red Bull could be on fire and he would still be in the top 3.  LeClerc held pole until Verstappen took it, then Sainz swooped in and took it and held it.  Russell took 4th ahead of team mate Hamilton in 8th.  Perez was 5th, then Albon.  Piastri was in 7th, ahead of his team mate Norris in 9th.  The promise of Aston Martin last week has disappeared as Alonso finished 10th.  As the drivers parked up, the stewards announced that there would be no further action for the Ferraris about their speed transgression.

The Ferrari drivers had to ask the crowd not to boo Verstappen.  We go into the race hoping that Sainz can hold Max up and perhaps a Ferrari can win at Monza but not holding our breath.