Gasly seems to have a mechanical issue and though he was always scheduled to start from the pit lane, that’s a problem for him. Ah but all seems fine.
13:35
On telly, they reckon Hamilton will start on softs, but reiterate the need for better control of the starting thrust – not just a driver issue but a mechanical one.
13:29
George Russell’s brakes might be jiggered; he’s parked up on the side of the track waiting for assistance.
13:27
There’s something wrong with one of the AlphaTauri cars, around which folk are huddled in earnest manner.
13:26
The start is always huge, but it’ll be especially so today because with so few overtaking opportunities, reaction speed counts as a serious chance to make something happen. Hamilton’s been struggling with wheelspin, so his ability to control that – or not – will be a huge factor in the race.
13:11
Preamble
Afternoon all and welcome to what should be a jazzer of an Italian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen leads the driver standings and is in pole, but if there’s one thing he and we’ve learnt, this season and over the years, it’s that Lewis Hamilton can win from anywhere.
That looks especially tricky this weekend – even Hamilton concedes that it should be “an easy win” for his rival. Still the few overtaking opportunities on the might give us more of the needle we crave, and if all else fails at least we’re guaranteed to hear Il Canto degli Italiani, the indisputable and feelgood song of the summer. Siiiiiiiiiiii!
