Charles Leclerc heads into the Italian Grand Prix knowing that he must secure pole position in qualifying after Max Verstappen took a penalty to change his engine. The Ferrari driver's slim hopes of challenging for the F1 Drivers' Championship will likely rest upon the outcome of the race and starting at the front of the grid at the Scuderia's home race.
The Monegasque has not won a race since the Austrian Grand Prix in July, with Verstappen currently on a four-race winning streak. The 24-year-old is currently 109 points behind the reigning champion with seven races to go and he must make a dent in the Dutchman's advantage at Monza to have any hope of mounting a late challenge.
He will have no better chance to do so, with Verstappen one of several drivers hit by a 10-place grid penalty after using his fourth power unit of the season. Still, the Red Bull star managed to clinch victory at the Belgian Grand Prix having started 14th on the grid and will confident about doing so again in front of the Tifosi.
So, will Leclerc and his team-mate Carlos Sainz lock out the front row, or can Sergio Perez inflict even more damage on Ferrari's season? J
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