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Lewis Hamilton has conceded that Max Verstappen should claim an ‘easy win’ at this afternoon’s Italian Grand Prix following the pair’s contrasting fortunes in Saturday’s sprint qualifying session. All eyes will turn towards Monza from 2pm onwards, with Verstappen starting the race from pole after finishing second behind Valtteri Bottas yesterday.
Hamilton, on the other hand, got off to a disastrous start and ended up finishing fifth. He will start from back in fourth at the main event as a result.
Speaking ahead of the race, the Mercedes star said: “We lost a lot of points. We’ve got to try and figure out how I can get by the McLarens tomorrow, and try to limit the damage.
“It’s not the outcome we wanted and we can’t afford days like these, especially when it is this close in the championships.
“You saw the pace of the Red Bull. I don’t know if he was quicker than Valtteri but they’re so fast, and now he’s on pole. So it should be an easy win for him.”
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo will start on the front row in second place, with team-mate Lando Norris just behind the Aussie in third.
1.00pm: Good afternoon and welcome to Express Sport‘s live coverage of the Italian Grand Prix where Max Verstappen will be hoping to extend his advantage over Lewis Hamilton with another victory.
The Dutchman will start the race from pole position after yesterday’s sprint qualifying session, with Valtteri Bottas relegated to last place as a result of a power unit change.
Verstappen’s former Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo also begins on the front row, just ahead of fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris in third.
Meanwhile, Hamilton will line up on the second row in P4 after a lacklustre performance in the 18-lap sprint.
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