Italian Grand Prix 2023 – Qualifying: Carlos Sainz confirms pole position in front of the tifosi

At the end of an enormous battle against Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz confirmed his status as the standout performer of the weekend by taking pole position at Monza. Charles Leclerc reassured and set the third fastest time, while the French drivers from Alpine were eliminated in Q1.

Q1

A first session marked by several track excursions closely monitored by the stewards. Verstappen and Alonso, in particular, both had their first lap times deleted.

The drivers all started with hard tyres, as required by the qualification format for this Italian Grand Prix. Not all of them had driven with these tires yesterday, so surprises could occur. Quickly, the two Williams show their speed, with Alexander Albon setting the best time and Logan Sargeant in fourth. Max Verstappen, however, is penalized on his first lap for exceeding track limits.

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz quickly make their mark and position themselves among the best, with the Mexican even grabbing the provisional fastest time from Albon. Max Verstappen then lowers the benchmark, while the two AlphaTauri teams impress by setting the 5th and 7th fastest times.

Two minutes before the end, several drivers put on new tires to set one last time. This is the case for both Williams cars, who, thanks to their impressive top speed, are aiming for the 2nd (Albon) and 6th (Sargeant) quickest times.

At the bottom of the ranking, disappointment for the French team. The Alpines are too slow, Esteban Ocon (18th) and Pierre Gasly (17th) are eliminated in Q1. It is worth noting Liam Lawson’s strong session (12th time) for AlphaTauri. The replacement for Daniel Ricciardo qualifies for his first Q2.

Q2

This second session begins with the news that both Ferraris are under investigation for potentially driving too slowly during Q1.

The drivers are allowed to use the medium tires which perform well on the circuit this weekend. Right from the start of this Q2, the strong drivers are showing up. Verstappen sets the fastest provisional time but is subsequently beaten by Albon and Sainz. Leclerc is also in the mix and reassures. The four drivers are separated by less than 3 tenths after their initial times.

At the moment when everyone enters the pits for the first time, Lewis Hamilton has only a disappointing 12th time to his credit. Fresh sets of tires are put on. Second attempt for all the drivers, and we find the Red Bull/Ferrari battle. Leclerc sets the benchmark ahead of his teammate before Verstappen calms everyone down by taking it from him right away. Meanwhile, Hamilton had a scare but makes it to Q3 with the 5th time.

Q3

Finally, the right to soft tyres for everyone. Verstappen takes the lead and has a little scare as he slightly goes off track in the gravel. The record for the first sector falls successively with Leclerc, Sainz, and finally Albon. At the end of the first attempt, the Ferraris make the Monza grandstands tremble. Leclerc beats Verstappen’s benchmark time and Sainz does too. There’s a battle for pole position now!

Fernando Alonso emerges from the pit lane in first. The Spaniard only holds the 10th fastest time and does not want to be hindered. Leclerc, second on track, improves in the first sector, then the second. The Monégasque gives it his all to secure pole position, which he temporarily takes before Verstappen steals it from him. But then Carlos Sainz arrives and overtakes him! The crowd at the Autodromo rejoices.

Both Ferraris have shown up, the Spaniard will be on pole ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc tomorrow for a GP that promises to be an exciting battle.