Kimi pole’s Ham-pered title battle
FORMULA ONE big-hitters Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were outpaced and outshone in their race for a fifth world title by veteran Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying for today’s Italian Grand Prix.
The flying Finn, 38, raced his Ferrari around the spectacular Monza circuit in the fastest lap ever – averaging 163.785mph for a time of 1min 19.119secs – to claim pole position.
It was his first since Monaco last season and left team-mate Vettel and title pacemaker Hamilton in his wake a tenth of a second behind.
His stunner of a lap in the closing seconds of the
top-10 shootout puts the
2007 world champion in line for his first victory in five years and made him the oldest pole-sitter since Brit hero Nigel Mansell in
1994. And with Vettel grabbing second spot, he set up a crucial Ferrari front row lockout on home turf in what is fast developing into a memorable title battle.
Hamilton, who had earlier set what looked like an unbeatable time, said: “I gave it my all and it is incredibly close between us. But Ferrari have had the upper hand so far this weekend.
“It is going to be a tough race – but I will be giving it everything I’ve got.This is a fabulous place to race with an unforgettable atmosphere and it fires you up to give our massive number of supporters the very best we can.”
He is desperate to put the painful memories of the last race at Spa behind him. He was humbled by Vettel who passed him on lap one before running up an 11-second lead by the end. He said: “That was a really tough day for us but we will keep pushing to hang on to our lead in the championship.”
Raikkonen’s pole was greeted with joy by the tifosi – the thousands of Ferrari fanatics who flock to the Italian track every year.
He said: “I can’t imagine there is a better, more rewarding and satisfying place to be on pole.
“The feeling is just great – but the job is only half done. And Seb and Lewis will both be keen to be winners and hold on to their championship chances.
“Hopefully all will go as smoothly in the race as it has done in qualifying. I was long overdue a pole placing and am now all set for a good chance of a win at long last.”
His team-mate Vettel said: “I’m happy with the situation and it is a compliment to Ferrari and all their hard work that we are one-two in
qualifying.”
The Ferrari looks to be the stronger car, insists Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who has become used to watching his team dominate. He said: “It is clear we need to find more pace to improve our chances of winning.
“Ferrari are looking fast – but we will fight them with everything we’ve got.”
Elsewhere, Lance Stroll gave struggling Williams a boost to start 10th. That was at the expense of Force India’s Sergio Perez who was the shock victim in the first qualifying session.
McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen escaped a penalty after turn-one tangle. The incident sparking a war of words after ending their qualifying hopes.