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Formula 1
Italian GP
F1 Italian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 and Qualifying
The first practice session and qualifying for the sprint race at Monza
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Breaking news
During Q2 it was confirmed Bottas has taken a new power unit so he will start the Italian GP from the back of the grid. Here's the full story: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/bottas-set-for-back-of-grid-start-at-monza-after-f1-engine-change/6664341/
Nine out of 10 Q3 drivers are out on track already, leaving Giovinazzi to pick his moment to join the action.
Stopwatch
The first timed laps of Q3 see Hamilton grab provisional pole with a 1m19.949s with Verstappen slotting into second.
Bottas dipped two wheels on the gravel during his lap and lost a chunk of time meaning he is only fifth and behind both McLarens after that first run. Behind them Gasly is sixth ahead of both Ferraris with Perez only P9.
Verstappen grabbed a useful tow but that's still a really strong lap by the Red Bull driver to go just 0.017s off Hamilton.
In fact, Norris also deserves credit as well, as he is only 0.065s off provisional pole. The top three split by less than a tenth of a second. Tasty.
The Q3 pit exit standoff isn't so chaotic compared to the second session, with all 10 drivers heading out of the pits with reasonable gaps between each other. See, it can be done.
Perez heads this Q3 train ahead of Verstappen and Gasly. Final lap time coming up.
Bottas is on it on this final lap going fastest in sector 1...
Stopwatch
...and Bottas goes fastest with a 1m19.555s which gives him the sprint race pole! Hamilton is edged back to second place for an all-Mercedes front row.
Verstappen holds on to third place but the margins are incredibly close. He's 0.015s off Hamilton and 0.023s ahead of Norris. The barest of margins.
So, on the week his Mercedes departure is confirmed, Bottas takes top spot on the grid for the sprint race but he has a grid penalty so will start the Sunday race from the back whatever happens.
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Verstappen on his P3: "We recovered well in qualifying to be so close. For us it will be more difficult around here but we have a good opportunity to score good points."
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After a chat about a certain 2008 F1 finale with Felipe Massa, Hamilton recaps his P2: "These sprint races definitely can help so we have to capitalise on that here."
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Bottas on his sprint pole: "That qualifying lap was nice. It feels so good to get a lap like that together. I feel good, relaxed, with everything sorted for the future. I am pleased with everything in the team today."
Looking outside of the top three, McLaren's predicted pace at Monza certainly proved true with Norris in fourth fractionally ahead of team-mate Ricciardo, who looks to have found the groove with his car since the summer break.
Gasly, once again, demonstrated how quick he is in the AlphaTauri with sixth place, beating the Ferraris, while Perez is only P9. That's not where Red Bull would have wanted him.
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Breaking news
Need a recap on the Friday night qualifying action from Monza? Look no further: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/italian-gp-bottas-beats-hamilton-in-friday-qualifying/6664378/
Checkered flag
That's day one of the Italian GP action done and given how much each session sets up the next in the sprint format it feels like, er, a marathon weekend. After a breather tonight be sure to return for FP2 which starts at 11am BST on Saturday. Ciao!
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