Formula 1 drivers Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel disappoint in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. They are already eliminated in Q1. That doesn't interest Monza. The fans cheer on the pole for Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, world champion Verstappen expects a penalty.
Charles Leclerc beamed after his dream lap and gave the jubilant Tifosi hope of winning the Ferrari home game. "Insane," said the fan favorite after racing to pole position for the Italian Grand Prix (Sunday, 3 p.m. / Sky) in Monza - and causing the Autodromo Nazionale to tremble: "Hopefully we can deliver tomorrow like 2019. " Three years ago Leclerc won in Monza and celebrated a party in "Red".
Somewhat surprisingly, Leclerc prevailed in qualifying on the high-speed track ahead of world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull (0.145) and turned the fastest lap in 1:20.161 minutes. Third was Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz jr. (0268/Spain). But: Like almost half of all drivers, Verstappen and Sainz are also penalized because of engine or transmission changes on the starting grid. Verstappen loses five places, Sainz even 15.
"It was close. But of course we opted for a little more downforce. It may not be ideal for the fast lap, but we can be pretty good tomorrow," said Verstappen, who has never won in Monza, calmly: "Of course we have to We're going to start from a bit further back, but the lap was good, it was fun. It's going to be an exciting fight tomorrow."
Verstappen has never even been on the podium in Monza, but the 24-year-old left a very strong impression in the racing simulations - and is considered by many experts to be the favorite to win despite his starting position penalty. And: Two of his last four triumphs he drove from double-digit grid positions.
In the World Cup, things are looking good for Verstappen anyway, and he is now 109 points ahead of "pursuer" Leclerc. Verstappen only needs four second and one fifth place in the last seven races to defend his title - provided Leclerc wins every race and gets the bonus points.
Mick Schumacher (Haas) and Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) benefit from the flood of penalties. Schumacher was only last after a braking error, Vettel ended up in 17th place - but both are flushed forward in the starting grid. Curious: Schumacher also receives a 15-place penalty, but at least three competitors receive an even greater handicap and have to start from the back of the field.
Due to technical problems, Schumacher missed a lot of time in training - a setback for the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher, who is known to be fighting for a new contract for the coming season - points are mandatory for that. "It will be difficult," he said on Sky about the race: "Let's see what we can do."
In the "Temple of Speed" in Monza, as in Spa, there were penalties for renovation work: In addition to Verstappen, Sainz and Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon were also hit.
