Hamilton beaming after Monza pole

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, beating out his teammate Nico Rosberg as he looks to extend his nine-point lead on the Championship table.

Apart from FP1, the triple World Champion has topped the times at every session leading up to Sunday’s race.

Hamilton also joined Formula 1 legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna in claiming five pole positions in Monza, something he is immensely proud of.

“Very happy today. I feel proud and honoured to be amongst Senna and Fangio [as five-time Monza polesitters]. I came with my A-game today, that last lap felt incredible,” he said during post-qualifying press conference.

“This is a great track with a great crowd. What this team has achieved is phenomenal, we are so fortunate to drive as car as it was today.

“I was right in the sweet spot and got an exceptional time out of it.”

Rosberg, who couldn’t match Hamilton’s 1:21.135, expressed his disappointed at not starting at the front of the starting grid tomorrow but admitted that the Brit was simply quicker than him.

“The basic explanation is Lewis did some good laps. I did a good job up to now but I wasn’t quick enough.”