F1 LIVE | Qualifying for the 2022 Italian Grand Prix at Monza
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Qualifying for the 2022 Italian Grand Prix is about to start. Will it be the World Championship leader Max Verstappen on pole position in his Red Bull, or will Ferrari take a Saturday P1 through Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz in front of their home fans. Sergio Perez and Mercedes can’t be ruled out either in this 60-minute session at Monza.
F1 LIVE | Qualifying Italian Grand Prix
Last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix was won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. The circuit characteristics at Spa favoured the Red Bull car but the same dominance wasn’t felt in the Netherlands. It’s expected that the circuit will favour the Red Bull more this weekend.
The Monza circuit is completely different in comparison and is much more like the Belgian Grand Prix circuit. This could elevate Red Bull this weekend, though Ferrari will feel the support from the Tifosi.
Last year’s Italian Grand Prix qualifying session came in the midst of the Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen duel. It’s usually one of the most spectacular sessions of the season due to the high-speed nature of the circuit. The leaderboard became interesting. Valtteri Bottas secured pole position by less than one-tenth to his teammate Hamilton, who qualified ahead of Verstappen. But during the sprint race, Hamilton lost three places. Bottas had a grid penalty and started from the back, so the front row became Verstappen and McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian went on to win the race.
The events last weekend ensured the three-day Verstappen party continued. The orange army surrounded every part of the circuit. The party atmosphere was a perfect example of how to host a Grand Prix in the eyes of F1 and Liberty Media. The Italian fans will aim to match this support this weekend in Italy.
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Qualifying in 2022
Whilst Red Bull Racing and Verstappen top the standings, Leclerc and Ferrari have had the upper hand when it comes to qualifying. Ferrari’s car has been far stronger over a single-lap and Leclerc’s seven pole position in 2022 demonstrates that more than anything. For comparison, Verstappen has four to his name this season.
Sergio Perez has one pole position, and Carlos Sainz has two though in Belgium he earned it by securing the second fastest time in the session. George Russell also has one pole position to his name. Mercedes have been improving throughout the season, solving their porpoising issues.