Italian Grand Prix – Qualifying: Lando Norris on pole again, Max Verstappen a long way behind

The Q1

If there was any doubt, they have all been erased. Yes, we were indeed in Italy. As soon as the Ferraris appeared, the crowd started cheering. All eyes were on those two cars. So when Charles Leclerc set the first interesting time in Q1, the atmosphere went up a notch.

But everything could have taken a turn when Carlos Sainz went a bit too wide at the exit of Lesmo 2. The Spaniard almost lost control of his Ferrari, which was heading towards the wall. In time, he managed to regain control.

The track conditions have significantly improved. Lando Norris is the first man to go under the 1 minute 20 mark (1:19:911). A benchmark that no one has managed to beat.

During their first attempt, the Mercedes were not as comfortable as during the free practice sessions. Max Verstappen had a big scare. While in the fast lane of the pits, Oscar Piastri was released in a very dangerous manner. The Australian narrowly missed the Red Bull. The situation could have turned into a tragedy.

Another big scare, this time for Franco Colapinto. Coming out of the second Lesmo, he went way off track and had all four wheels in the gravel. He managed to regain control of his Williams. However, this mistake prevented him from moving on to Q2.

The Alpines, who were at the back of the grid during free practice, managed to climb into Q2. A performance they did not think achievable before the start of qualifying.

The eliminated: Zhou, Bottas, Colapinto, Stroll, Tsunoda

Q2

The Ferrari drivers were the first to leave the pits. Their first reference, with worn tires, was average. They were four tenths off Lando Norris’ time in Q1.

Max Verstappen then the two McLarens erased the time of the red cars. All three went under the 1 minute 20 mark. Lando Norris once again was the fastest (1:19:727).

Discreet since the start of qualifying, took provisional control in the middle of Q2. The Mercedes driver was just under a tenth faster (1:19:641). Georges Russell was a bit further back, two tenths behind his teammate.

The two Haas cars that were having a great start to the lap, missed out in the final sector. The time may have improved, but not their position. The two Alpines did not manage to challenge Nico Hülkenberg’s tenth place. They will start from 15th and 14th place. Fernando Alonso did not make it through to Q2 by a tenth of a second.

The eliminated: Ocon, Gasly, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Alonso

Q3

Max Verstappen once again had a scare in the pits. As he was exiting his garage, he crossed paths with a Ferrari. Once again, a collision was narrowly avoided. The situation was noted by the race directors.

The McLarens proved that they were comfortable on this track by driving even faster than in Q2. Lando Norris set a time of 1:19:401. It is worth noting that Sergio Perez went faster than his teammate on the first attempt. The Dutchman made a mistake in the final sector.

The triple world champion’s second attempt is also bad. He slightly lost control in Lesmo 2. Meanwhile, Lando Norris improved his lap time (1:19:327). Just when a Ferrari had a chance to be in the top three, George Russell came and dashed the hopes of the tifosi.