Provisional starting grid for the 2023 F1 Italian Grand Prix

A hurricane of sound swept across the Autodromo Nazionale Monza straight. Carlos Sainz had just performed what most Ferrari fans secretly dreamed of beforehand but did not actually consider realistic: putting his car on pole. So, on Sunday, the Spaniard will start the Italian Grand Prix from the best possible position. Starting alongside Sainz will be championship leader Max Verstappen, who will want to do everything possible to take his record-breaking tenth win in a row.

It was a great day for Ferrari anyway. Charles Leclerc will start Sunday's Grand Prix from the second row of the grid, just behind Verstappen. The two of them could split their strategy and make it as difficult as possible for Red Bull Racing. Indeed, Verstappen will not have to count on support from Sergio Perez at first. After an oil leak and consequent engine change, the Mexican could not use the best engine position during qualifying, and as a result, he starts from spot five.

For the Mercedes team, Sunday will be a race of two faces. While George Russell can set the podium as a real goal from the fourth starting spot, Lewis Hamilton must initially hope to amass some points. The former champion did not get into his rhythm for a moment in qualifying and will start the Grand Prix from eighth position.

Just outside the top ten, the two AlphaTauri drivers will start the race on Sunday. Yuki Tsunoda's eleventh place is handsome, Lawson's twelfth place perhaps even more so. After all, Lawson is only driving his first full Grand Prix weekend. His starting position to finish in the points is good. The two Alpines and Lace Stroll with his Aston Martin are the big losers of Saturday. They will start at the far back on Sunday. Don't be surprised if they replace parts on Sunday and pick up a grid penalty as a result. After all, there is not much left to lose.