Hamilton predicts 'tight' Monza qualifying battle as Ferrari engine upgrade lifts pace

Lewis Hamilton expects a 'very close' qualifying battle at Monza, with Ferrari showing encouraging pace after introducing a new engine upgrade. The seven-time champion was beaten by team-mate Charles Leclerc in both Friday practice sessions, but believes pole position is within reach at Ferrari's home race.

Why it matters:

Monza is always a special weekend for Ferrari, and the Scuderia's latest engine upgrade appears to have moved them into contention at a track where top speed is everything. With championship leader Kimi Antonelli set to start from the back, Saturday's session could be Ferrari's best chance to lock out the front row in front of the tifosi.

The details:

• Leclerc topped FP1, while George Russell set the pace in FP2. Leclerc was second, with Hamilton fifth behind Antonelli and Lando Norris.
• Ferrari's new engine has reportedly closed the gap to Mercedes on the straights, and Antonelli admitted the Scuderia "definitely took a step forward."
• Hamilton said: "It's going to be tight, it's very close. We're up against the McLarens and the Mercedes, they are very, very competitive."
• On taking pole at Ferrari's home race, Hamilton called it "the dream, the ultimate dream," but stressed there are "loads of places we can improve."
• Antonelli will start from the back after Mercedes chose Monza as the best place to serve his engine penalty, believing overtaking is easier here than at most remaining circuits. He leads Russell and Hamilton by 59 points, with Norris 83 behind.
• Norris was downbeat after McLaren failed to carry recent form to Monza. "I definitely don't feel we are in the fight for pole at all," he said.

What's next:

Qualifying will determine whether Ferrari can convert Friday's promise into a genuine pole challenge. Hamilton and Leclerc will need to find the right moment on track in a session expected to be decided by tiny margins.