Ferrari were billed as challengers to McLaren for pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, but neither Charles Leclerc nor Lewis Hamilton could produce the pace to match Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton reckons only Brazilian football fans are as passionate as Ferrari’s ferocious Tifosi. But, despite all that support at Monza, the Brit was left apologising to his team as the Italian team failed to put up a serious fight for pole at their home race.
Hamilton was never going to get it as he serves a five-place grid penalty and he will start today’s race from 10th. Charles Leclerc was fourth quickest as Ferrari decided against using the seven-time champion to tow his team-mate down the long straights at the Temple of Speed.
Hamilton said sorry over the radio for not doing more, that particular message not broadcast on the Sky Sports coverage, but later admitted: “I am really happy with the progress that we have made. We have been right there within a tenth [of Leclerc]. I have just got to keep working on it and see the progress.”
Hamilton’s Ferrari career has been devoid of much joy so far, but that hasn’t quashed the enthusiasm of their fans who roared him on every time he went past. He said: “It has been amazing being here as a Ferrari driver. I cannot even find the words, to be honest.
“The fans here are really beautiful and the energy since Wednesday… when you leave the garage and head down to turn one, you see them on your left and right and throughout the whole lap, just red. You try to imagine what it is going to be like, having seen others that have come and gone and had this experience.
“I remember when Seb [Vettel] was here and I watched him on the podium, receiving, but it is different when you are in it because your interests are aligned. The passion, and the intensity of that passion, I do not think I have seen that anywhere in the world. Maybe Brazil have that for the football team but, other than that, I do not see it anywhere.”
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Leclerc was briefly at the top of the timesheets after an impressive first flying lap in Q3, but was promptly knocked off his perch by Max Verstappen. And, having put all his eggs in that one basket, the Monegasque knew then that he was not going to get back on top.
He said: “I knew my lap was… I hate to say perfect and I do not think anybody ever does a perfect lap, but I think it was as close as what I would want to do during qualifying. I knew it would be very difficult to beat that attempt on the second timed lap, which I did not, so when I saw that Max went in front, I knew. I have no regrets, because that is the best possible place we could have done.”
Leclerc won at Monza from fourth on the grid last year but is not confident he can repeat the trick. He added: “Last year was close to impossible, I think, and in the end we did a different strategy which helped us to get the win.
“This year it is even more difficult than last year and the strategy is clear for everybody, so it is going to be more tough to do something different. If I win tomorrow I will be extremely surprised, but never say never. Last year we did it, so I hope we can do it again today.”
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