Grid positions for the Italian Grand Prix will be decided this afternoon with the Formula One roadshow having arrived at one of its signature stops in Monza. This is firmly Ferrari territory, with the passionate Tifosi hoping the Scuderia can pump the brakes on Max Verstappen’s title procession on home soil.
The reigning world champion is 109 points clear of nearest rival Charles Leclerc after a 10th win in 15 races so far this season in front of an adoring Orange Army at his home Dutch Grand Prix last weekend. Verstappen’s successful first title defence has long appeared a foregone conclusion, though he had to fight hard for victory at the Circuit Zandvoort after a furious battle with improving Mercedes. He will serve a grid penalty tomorrow after using new engine parts, along with Carlos Sainz.
There will be continued tributes to Queen Elizabeth II throughout the weekend at Monza, while before FP3 came the news that Alex Albon is undergoing treatment for appendicitis and will be replaced by reserve Nyck de Vries, with the former Formula E and Formula 2 world champion making his F1 debut for Williams. Follow Italian GP qualifying LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!
Live updates
Plenty of grid penalties…
Max Verstappen has been handed five-point grid penalty for the Italian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver, who enters the concluding seven rounds of the season holding a 109-point title lead, has been punished for changing his Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).
It means Verstappen he can start no higher than sixth for Sunday’s race at Monza’s Cathedral of Speed. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton have been dropped to the back of the grid after picking up penalties too, along with Yuki Tsunoda.
Elsewhere, Ocon (5 places) Perez (10 places) Bottas (15 places) Magnussen (15 places) and Schumacher (15 places) will also have penalties to contend with ahead of tomorrow’s race.
Albon to miss rest of weekend
Williams driver Alex Albon has been ruled out for the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix weekend due to illness.
The Thai-British driver – who took part in the first two practice sessions on Friday – is battling appendicitis and did not compete in FP3. He will miss qualifying at Monza and Sunday’s race, with Mercedes reserve Nyck de Vries to make his Formula One debut instead.
Dutchman De Vries, 27, won the Formula E World Championship with Mercedes-EQ last year and is also the 2019 Formula 2 world champion with ART Grand Prix.
At least Albon has got some impressive scars out of it…
Read the full story on Albon’s absence here
How to watch Italian Grand Prix qualifying
TV channel: Qualifying this afternoon will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports’ dedicated F1 channel. Coverage starts at 2:30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the action live online via the SkyGo app.
Or follow it all right here with us!
Welcome to Italian Grand Prix qualifying LIVE!
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix.
We are on Ferrari soil at Monza, where the passionate Tifosi will hope Charles Leclerc and Co can at least briefly halt the dominant title procession of Max Verstappen, who has been handed a five-place grid penalty for using new engine parts.
Carlos Sainz will be at the back of the grid tomorrow for his own engine change, so opportunity potentially knocks at the top of the order this afternoon.
There is no Alex Albon for Williams for the remainder of the weekend as he receives treatment for appendicitis. Nyck de Vries will make his Formula One debut instead.
There will be plenty more tributes paid to the late Queen Elizabeth II across the race weekend.
Qualifying starts at 3pm BST this afternoon, so stay tuned for all the build-up and live updates!
