Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr has claimed pole for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, edging out Championship leader Max Verstappen.
When Verstappen went fastest in the final seconds of Q3, the assumption was that the Red Bull driver would start in first place at Monza.
However, Sainz produced one of the qualifying laps of his career to go quickest, beating Verstappen by just 0.013 seconds
Verstappen, who has won the last nine races, had been fastest in Q1 and Q2, though, and remains favourite to prevail in Sunday’s race.
Charles Leclerc was third quickest, making it an excellent day for Ferrari at their home race, while George Russell was the best of the rest in the Mercedes.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will start in fifth, with Williams driver Alex Albon producing another encouraging performance to claim sixth place on the grid.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had to settle for seventh and ninth respectively, either side of Lewis Hamilton who was only eighth.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the top 10, although teammate Lance Stroll will start at the back.
