Components One champion Lewis Hamilton was quickest within the first apply for the Italian Grand Prix forward of the return of dash qualifying later Friday.
Hamilton was .452 seconds forward of championship chief Max Verstappen and .525 faster than Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Carlos Sainz was the quickest Ferrari driver in seventh on the Italian crew’s house circuit.
Verstappen and Hamilton have very contrasting qualifying data at Monza. The Purple Bull driver has by no means began greater than fifth, whereas Hamilton has seven poles to his identify.
However this yr sees the second dash qualifying after its debut at Silverstone. Quite than the usual format of two practices on Friday and a 3rd apply and qualifying on Saturday, there can be one apply on Friday adopted by a qualifying session that can decide the grid for Saturday’s dash. There’s a second apply on Saturday too.
The sprints can be over 100 kilometers and the highest three finishers may even obtain factors towards the championship. First place will obtain three factors, second place two factors, and third place one level.
Hamilton was quickest in qualifying at Silverstone however Verstappen topped him within the dash to take pole. Verstappen received the Netherlands GP on Sunday to maneuver three factors forward of seven-time world champion Hamilton however has a poor document at Monza, the place he has by no means set foot on the enduring podium. His highest end is fifth.
In distinction, Hamilton is a five-time winner on the Temple of Velocity and has three extra podiums.
