Alonso pips Hamilton to pole
Ferrari experienced a chastening qualifying session in their home grand prix as McLaren’s Fernando Alonso edged out his team-mate Lewis Hamilton to take pole for tomorrow’s Italian grand prix. Alonso pipped Hamilton by just 0.037secs to clinch his third pole position this season and the 17th of his career.
“We’ve been quick all weekend, we’re extremely quick here at Monza,” said Alonso. “Hopefully we can do our job in the race and finish ahead of everyone.”
When questioned on the atmosphere within the team given the spying allegations that surround McLaren at present, he replied: “The team has been quite focused, in this race especially. Turkey [a fortnight ago] was a disappointing race and weekend. We were not quick enough to push the Ferraris.”
Hamilton conceded to enjoying “a good battle” with Alonso, adding: “The one-two is great for the team. It shows how hard we are working, especially back at the factory.”
Felipe Massa was the best of the Ferraris and will start third on the grid ahead of the BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld, with Kimi Raikkonen down in fifth, his lowest position since Monaco. Massa, who won convincingly in Istanbul, knows he now faces a fight on his hand to follow up that victory. “McLaren are very quick here, especially as they showed in qualifying,” remarked Massa. “It’s good to be top three and hopefully we can have some difference or some surprise in the race.”
Raikkonen was using the spare car after earlier walking away unharmed from a 200mph smash in final practice, with the Finn virtually destroying the original car. Raikkonen’s on-board camera showed the Ferrari veering into a wall along the Curva del Serraglio, one of the fastest parts of the circuit. His momentum propelled him a full 70 metres - narrowly avoiding two marshals - before he ploughed into a tyre barrier.
Robert Kubica starts sixth in his BMW Sauber, followed by Heikki Kovalainen for Renault, the Williams of Nico Rosberg, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli, with Jenson Button 10th in his Honda. It is only the second time this season Button has qualified in the top 10, representing a significant improvement for the Briton.
