We were in for a Qualifying full of drivers running wide and bringing gravel onto the track and traffic. Antonelli had already got beached in the gravel during Free Practice. The first driver to do this in Qualiyfing was Albon in his Williams, closely followed by Verstappen and there were only ten minutes to go. The track was getting quicker and quicker as the minutes ticked down on the hot circuit.
From hero to zero, Hadjar went from the podium last weekend to being knocked out by Albon this event. Russell was quickest, setting his time uniquely on Medium tyres. Piastri was far back in 10th. After Hadjar was Stroll (team mate in 6th), Colapinto, Gasly and Lawson.
Immediately in the second session, Albon was back in the gravel, then locked a tyre on his next attempt. Norris was in the bottom five and had to drive a clean lap with no traffic, which he did and went 5th, Out went Bearman, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Albon and Ocon. Verstappen was fastest, then Antonelli and Piastri; it looked like pole could be anybody's. However, Ferrari usually turn the wick up and throw everything at pole at Monza and they had Hamilton with a grid penalty to sacrifice on track to give LeClerc a tow.
In the final session, Russell was miffed because he wanted the Medium tyres again but had Softs put on his car. All the pressure was on LeClerc though to perform for the fans, for once, no one was worried too much about the McLarens. The Ferrari driver was one of the first to cross the line and stayed in second, until other drivers went quicker. Norris got a tow to go quicker than Piastri but Verstappen was quickest again and set a new lap record for the circuit. No one was watching the Red Bull. Behind him officially were Norris, Piastri, LeClerc, Hamilton (who will start 10th), Russell, Antonelli, Bortoleto, Alonso and Tsunoda.
We have to wait and see if there will be a pile up into the first corner and whether Piastri's race will be damaged by his qualifying position.
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