Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are set to do battle again as they share a”box-office” front at Sunday’s Italian GP, together with home favourites Ferrari trying to finally end Mercedes’ Monza dominance.
Leclerc, Ferrari’s new superstar who only held off Hamilton a week back in Spa, begins on pole and is going to have the burden of a nation on his shoulders as the in-form young Monegasque bids to the Scuderia’s first win in front of the ardent’Tifosi’ lovers since 2010.
The race begins at 2.10pm Sky Sports F1, together with accumulation at 12.30pm.
“Seeing all the lovers as mad as [Saturday] was unbelievable,” Leclerc told Sky F1 after rolling out a eccentric qualifying session. “I really hope to see them that way [on Sunday] below the podium.”
But with Sebastian Vettel fourth at the Ferrari that is sister, Leclerc is exposed.
Hamilton begins just behind the 21-year-old and will direct Mercedes’ charge before Valtteri Bottas, along with the Silver Arrows are convinced considering they have been nearer than they anticipated at F1’s fastest monitor.
“I really like that it’s that close and it’s not several tenths,” explained Hamilton, only 0.039s away Leclerc on Saturday.
Together with Hamilton the victor, mercedes have won the past five races at Monza. He passed Vettel about the very first lap before hunting after Ferrari’s qualifying one-two down Kimi Raikkonen’s.
He is in an even greater place in 2019.
“I certainly think we can keep them up,” added that the championship leader, that 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 thankful that I am on the front row. We expect to have a fight. We’ve split themas a group it is a great position for us to maintain.”
Leclerc said:”It is going to become very, very difficult because, to start with, they are quick, second, slipstream and DRS are extremely important . I believe that the race pace is quite good in Spa, but for certain it’s going to be tricky to maintain them .
“I feel a very good beginning from myself and also from Seb will be very vital for the good outcome.” .
The Paul Di Resta of sky F1 is enthused by the possibility of Leclerc vs Hamilton .
“It is box office,” said Di Resta. “Ferrari on pole gets the audience going. They have embraced Charles.
“Lewis has to do some overtaking to win this raceas he did last year. Tricky states, it needs to be useful.”
Vettel, without a success in over a year, will begin with Daniel Ricciardo before Nico Hulkenberg Saturday, following their superb. The fourth row is shared by carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Alex Albon.
And watch out for an exciting Max Verstappen series, with the Dutchman behind Pierre Gasly who have motor penalties along with Lando Norris.
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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