Italian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc Takes Pole As Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton Bag Penalties

 

Charles Leclerc edged out Red Bull's Max Verstappen to finish fastest and will start in pole at the Italian Grand Prix final in Monza on Sunday. 

Joy streamed across the faces of the Ferrari team as they watched and realised that Verstappen's time was +0.145s later than the of Leclerc. He will be first to start for the team in pole in Monza since 2004 when Michael Schumacher did.

"I am confident that we have got a very good race pace," Leclerc expressed his expectations from the final. He however acknowledged the scare Red Bull can cause with Verstappen. 

He added: "They have got a different configuration and higher downforce but I am quite confident we can make this work."

Verstappen, though he finished in second will be starting in the seventh place for a five-place penalty served him. To that effect, George Russell got promoted to second and the McLaren duo Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will be starting in the third and fourth place respectively.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton will be starting from the back of the grid (19th) following a 10-place penalty served him. Ferrari's Sergio Perez was also given a five-place penalty and will start in 10th position.