F1 News
Date: 8/September/2012
Lewis Hamilton led a McLaren one-two during qualifying for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, while Championship leader Fernando Alonso will start mid-pack after a costly roll-bar problem on his Ferrari.
Hamilton put off-track rumours about a switch to Mercedes next season to one side and beat last weekend’s winner Jenson Button by 0.123s, in what was the third pole in a row for the on-form McLaren team.
Hamilton, also fastest in two of the three practice sessions, said: “I actually had much, much better laps in practice but I can’t complain. I’m really happy for the team. Obviously they had great success in the last race with Jenson and to have us both up here is where they deserve.
“This is a beautiful track and an incredible circuit. Probably the more you drive it, the more you appreciate it. It’s such high speed. The fans here are also absolutely incredible. Such passionate people who love pure motor racing.”
While Hamilton and Button will both be seeking to join Alonso as a triple 2012 race winner, Button also has the chance to become the year’s first back-to-back winner.
It could be a close duel between the McLaren drivers for victory on Sunday, but Button doesn’t regret sharing the garage with such a strong team-mate.
He said: “I think we all love a good fight and we all love a challenge. Sometimes you think 'damn, I wish I didn't have such a competitive team-mate' but it's good because it pushes you and you can see where you are in terms of your performance in a race weekend. I think there are more positives than negatives.”
Monza’s slow first chicane is a notorious accident hot spot on the opening lap of a grand prix. Button said starting alongside Hamilton will not make a difference to his turn one tactics.
“It doesn't matter who is next to you, it's always an ‘interesting’ first corner, especially here where it's a reasonably long drag down to turn one,” said Button. “You can't plan turn one.”
Ready to exploit any turn one mishaps by the McLaren drivers will be a revitalised Felipe Massa, who starts a season-best third for home favourites Ferrari.
Massa, without a podium this year and yet to sign for 2013, said: “We will go to the grid thinking about victory.
“McLaren are very strong, they are quick, but we have 53 laps in the race and we know how different the race can be compared to qualifying, so for sure I want to try everything I can.
“It's a very important race tomorrow for me but also for the team. When you race for Ferrari you always have a lot of pressure.”
The pressure will certainly be on Massa’s team-mate Alonso, after sinking to just tenth on the grid due to a problem with the rear roll-bar in the final part of qualifying.
Alonso, who had been just 0.001s slower than Hamilton in Saturday morning practice, said: “I think I could have got pole today, but instead I find myself tenth. A real shame, but these things happen and there’s no point in crying over it.
“The problem will be fixed for tomorrow, but of course this result changes everything as far as the race is concerned: we had the chance to increase our lead over our closest rivals, but now, it’s likely that at least some of them will make up ground on me.
“We will try and pick up as many points as possible, maybe getting ahead of some of my direct competitors.”
The Spaniard holds a reduced 24-point lead over Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel after being eliminated in the first turn pile-up in Belgium. Reigning champion Vettel has qualified sixth on the grid.
Hamilton and Button are presently fifth and sixth in the Championship standings. Like Massa, neither driver has previously won at Monza.
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