Lewis Hamilton breaks pole record in Italy

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) entered a little more into the history of the F1 this Saturday in Italy. The Briton took his 69th career pole position, breaking the record he co-held since last week in Belgium with Michael Schumacher. And the Mercedes driver achieved this new feat in particularly difficult conditions in Lombardy.

The start of the session was indeed marked by the off-track of Romain Grosjean (Haas). The Frenchman lost control of his VF17 on the pit straight on a wet track, after setting the third provisional time.

The race management immediately interrupted the session under a red flag before several times postponing the resumption of the debates, finally initiated at 16:40 p.m. after more than two hours of waiting.

Hamilton alone in the world

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) then Hamilton will be the fastest in Q1 and Q2, with the rain decreasing in intensity, before resuming for the final explanation of Q3, which will turn to Hamilton's advantage.

The two Mercedes drivers, as well as Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) set off for the decisive part on intermediate tires, while Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Lance stroll and Felipe Massa (Williams), Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren) and Esteban Ocon (Force India) choose rain tires.

It is this second group which makes the right selection, since Verstappen immediately takes control of the session. Returned to the pits to fit the rain tires, Hamilton finally regained first place in 1'35"554 and thus set the absolute record for poles in the history of F1.

Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo placed more than a second behind the Mercedes driver, but the penalties suffered by the two Red Bull Racing residents ultimately allowed Lance Stroll (Williams) to move to the front row alongside the three-time world champion. The Canadian becomes the youngest driver to start on this front row, beating Max Verstappen's record.

The penalty game brings all the Q3 drivers up in the hierarchy since Esteban Ocon (Force India), fifth in the session, will enter the second row alongside Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes).

The two Ferraris of Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel could not do better than 7th and 8th this Saturday, and will also benefit from Red Bull penalties to start from 5th and 6th places. Felipe Massa (Williams) and Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren) complete the Q3 rankings.

Sergio Pérez (Force India) was unable to cross the Q2 milestone just like Nico Hulkenberg (Renault), Fernando Alonso (McLaren) and both Toro Rosso by Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Jolyon Palmer (Renault), the two Saubers of Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein and Romain Grosjean bring up the rear after being eliminated in Q1.

The Italian Grand Prix will start tomorrow at 14 p.m. and can be followed live with our live text.

Qualification ranking