[Auto] Hamilton is still hungry

[SougarLord]

 

The British driver, who won three weeks ago in Bahrain, will start from pole in Imola (Italy) after having avoided the threat of Red Bull. The Mexican Sergio Pérez and the Dutch Max Verstappen will start from the second and third places on the grid, confirming the good moment of the energy drink team, although that is not enough - not at least yet - to dilute the first leader of the World Cup .

 

The Englishman signed his 99th pole position in Formula One on Saturday. He extended his own record. Moved by the strength of his rivals, the seven-time world champion and defending champion earned the right to start this Sunday's race in first place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

 

He got 35 thousandths from Sergio Pérez, which is hardly anything in the measurement of times. That's how tight the battle is this season, even if the Stevenage driver continues to command.

 

At the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, the English will be especially watched. To the right of him, the threat of the 'Checo', who has never before been seen so close to the first place. It's the best grade of his life. And, just behind, Max Verstappen. Hamilton will not have a squire in the first corners, since the Finn Valtteri Bottas, his teammate at Mercedes, could only be eighth.

 

He was overtaken in the qualifying session by the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), the French Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), the Australian Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and the British Lando Norris (McLaren), whose Race Direction canceled his best lap for exceeding the limits of the layout. His presence in second place was fleeting, although enough to warn that they too can leave their mark on the Italian track.

 

Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), ninth and tenth, will defend their place in the points.

 

A comeback is required, instead, the Spanish Carlos Sainz.

 

Eager to put up a good showing on the circuit that bears the name of the Ferrari founder, the Madrilenian will have to progress from eleventh after a rather discreet qualifying session.

 

He acknowledged, however, that he could not complete a single good lap, that he is still "green" and that he can improve his time 2 or 3 tenths.

 

Without the desired speed, his compatriot Fernando Alonso (Alpine) was also cut off in the second qualifying round. The Asturian, two times Formula One world champion, will start the race from fifteenth place, determined to score his first points of the course. From Bahrain, three weeks ago, he left empty.