Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are all set to do battle as they share a »box-office » front at Sunday’s Italian GP, together with home favourites Ferrari attempting to finally end Mercedes’ Monza dominance.
Leclerc, Ferrari’s brand new star who only hauled off Hamilton a week back in Spa, starts on pole and are going to have the weight of a nation on his shoulders as the in-form young Monegasque bids for the Scuderia’s first triumph before their enthusiastic’Tifosi’ lovers since 2010.
The race starts at 2.10pm on Sky Sports F1, with build-up at 12.30pm.
« Seeing all the lovers as mad as [Saturday] was incredible, » Leclerc told Sky F1 after having a eccentric qualifying session. « I really hope to see that way [on Sunday] under the podium. »
But with Sebastian Vettel fourth in the Ferrari, Leclerc is vulnerable.
Hamilton starts just behind the 21-year-old and will direct Mercedes’ charge ahead of Valtteri Bottas, and the Silver Arrows are convinced considering they have been much closer to Ferrari than they ever expected F1’s fastest monitor.
« I really like that it is that close and it’s not several tenths, » said Hamilton, just 0.039s off Leclerc on Saturday.
Together with Hamilton the victor on four of those occasions mercedes have won the past five races at Monza. He passed Vettel to the very first lap before hunting after Ferrari down team-mate Kimi Raikkonen’s.
He’s in a much better position in 2019.
« I certainly believe we could keep them up, » added the championship leader, that will look to extend his 65-point advantage. « Whether or not we can close the gap and then overtake them, time will tell.
« I have to be grateful that I am on the front . We expect to get a fight. We have split themas a team it is a excellent place for us to be in. »
Leclerc stated: »It’s obviously going to become very, very difficult because, to start with, they’re fast, second, slipstream and DRS are extremely important . For sure it is going to be difficult to keep them behind, although I believe that the race pace is good, much better than at Spa.
« I feel an excellent beginning from myself and from Seb will be very essential for the fantastic result. » .
The possibility of Leclerc vs Hamilton enthuses the Paul Di Resta of sky F1 back again.
« It is box office, » said Di Resta. « Ferrari on pole gets the audience going. Charles has been adopted by them.
« Lewis has to do a little overtaking to win this raceas he did this past year. Tricky conditions, it ought to be helpful. »
Vettel, with no victory in over a year, will begin together with Daniel Ricciardo before Nico Hulkenberg following their excellent before the Renaults. With the row is shared by carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Alex Albon.
And look out for an exciting Max Verstappen show, together using the Dutchman behind Lando Norris along with Pierre Gasly who also have engine penalties.
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, swaying 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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