Italian GP: Kimi Raikkonen on pole, Sebastian Vettel second, Hamilton third

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest lap in Formula 1 history as he stole pole position from the title contenders at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 38-year-old Finn triumphed in a thrilling fight at Monza with team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, taking pole with the last lap of the session.
Hamilton was fastest after the first runs and improved on his second lap, but Vettel beat him before Raikkonen pipped both.
Raikkonen's lap of one minute 19.119 seconds meant he averaged 163.793mph. The previous record - 1:19.525 (162.950mph) - was set by Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams in 2004.
Vettel was not happy, saying "we speak after" as his engineer told him the result. The German declined to elaborate when asked to say what he meant.
In one of the most exciting qualifying sessions for some time, Hamilton fought to overcome what appears to be a slight Ferrari pace advantage and appeared at one stage to have done it.
- Hamilton needs 'old-school karting moves' to pass Ferraris - all you need to know about Italian GP
- Alonso 'thinks he is a god' - Magnussen
- Chequered Flag podcast: Italian GP qualifying review
On the first runs in final qualifying, Hamilton set a 1:19.390, beating Raikkonen by just 0.069secs, with Vettel third just 0.038secs behind the Finn.
Hamilton improved to a 1:19.294 on his final run, but the Ferraris had positioned themselves behind him, Vettel in front of Raikkonen, and the slipstream the second Ferrari driver got may have proved decisive.
Raikkonen, whose pole was his first since Monaco last year, was pleased to set the quickest time on Ferrari's home track.
He said: "I couldn't think of being on pole in a better race. I am hoping tomorrow I can end up in the same position."
That remains to be seen, as Vettel is 17 points adrift in his close title fight with Hamilton.
Vettel said: "Not entirely happy with my last run but Kimi was a bit too fast in the end. It is always like this in Monza, for him it was in the sweet spot. My lap was not very good but for now we have both cars on the front row."
Hamilton said: "Ferrari did a solid job. We gave it everything we could, it is very close between us but they have had the upper hand this weekend. We will give it everything we can tomorrow.
"It was so intense and that's how F1 should be."
Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who has been off the pace all weekend, ended up fourth, 0.362secs behind the Briton. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Haas' Romain Grosjean, Renault's Carlos Sainz, Force India's Esteban Ocon, Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Lance Stroll completed the top 10.
It was Stroll's best qualifying result since this race last year, when he was fourth in the wet. Speculation continues to surround the Canadian's future following the purchase of the Force India team by a consortium led by his father.

Alonso at centre of row
Fernando Alonso was a surprising 13th in his McLaren, benefiting from engine penalties for Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg, which meant they did not compete in second qualifying, and by Force India's Sergio Perez getting knocked out in Q1.
But Alonso had to report to the stewards to explain an incident when he tangled with Haas' Kevin Magnussen at the first chicane as they both disputed the same piece of track at the end of the second session.
Over the radio, Alonso had said Magnussen wanted to race, to which Magnussen replied on BBC Sport: "I don't know what he's on about. He's clearly frustrated, trying everything he can, getting his team-mate to give him a tow everywhere. Today he tried to get a tow from me and he got too close. It didn't work out."
Alonso responded that Magnussen had made a late decision to start a flying lap while in the middle of the final corner, Parabolica.
Alonso said: "We were all together at the start of the lap trying to find a gap. In the last moment in Parabolica, Kevin decided to start the lap just in front of me and fill the gap between the two cars in front. I don't know why.
"A late decision that maybe didn't make too much sense. If he decides that, maybe he thinks it is the right thing for him."
The stewards decided no further action was required.

Who will win at Monza?
Choose your top three drivers from the list below
- Italian GP qualifying results
- Fernando Alonso: 'I'd stay if I was winning, but I'll have more fun away from F1'
- Norris 'ready for F1 & McLaren contender'
- Italian GP radio & online coverage details




Comments
Join the conversation
Ferrari will try and wrangle it for Vettel tomorrow, but wouldn't you LOVE IT if Kimi won at Monza? Great lap.
"Hamilton can only turn it on when he has the fastest car. Fact."
Prize for the all-time daftest comment. So, other drivers can "turn it on" when they don't have the fastest car?
Great lap by Kimi. Let's hope he actually gets to race tomorrow, and not play Vettel's flunky.
'Kimi, Seb is on a different strategy'
'You want me to move over?'
'Seb is on a different strategy, please don't hold him up'
'I'm not holding him up, just tell me if you want me to move over and let him pass'
Well done to Kimi - interesting run into turn one again.
Raikkonen set a world record in front of the home fans for his team !
Forza Kimi
Calm down son, you're going to do yourself a mischief. It's only sport.
Just sad BBC/Sky have not marked the 40th Anniversary of the passing of Ronnie Peterson, nor the 30th Anniversary of the death of Enzo Ferrari.
Realise it's not fashionable, but to more mature fans there is a significance.
Ronnie was my first sporting hero. To see him control a car through a corner was a delight.
Pleased for Kimi. He deserves a win.
"With regard to 66, Chris h articulated exactly what most people believe".
"Most people" Really? I assume you have the statistical evidence to back this up? This childish tribalism might have its place in some sports, but I like to think proper F1 fans appreciate the skill of all the great drivers, regardless of personal preferences.
Whoever wins the championship this year will certainly deserve it.
Also, respect to Kimi, clearly Vettel forgot he’s also a title winner.
Top result for fararri, top LH for congratulating them, nice drive kimi, the old guy showing them how it's done. Tomorrow should be good
Prior to this year Hamilton's team mate also won every year, with the exception of Kovalainen in 2009.
Another oft-overlooked stat; Rosberg is joint 2nd for most consecutive wins; a feat achieved while Hamilton was his team mate!
Great quali, silly force point india, should've both been in Q3. Good job Kimi, though Vettels mistake through the 2nd chicane cost him pole.