Qualifying duels GP Italy | Verstappen wins battle, tension at Mercedes

20:38, 02 Sep 2023
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After qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, it is time to take stock between teammates. Some drivers, including Max Verstappen, have already decided the qualifying duel in their favour.

Verstappen, Alonso, Norris, Albon and Hulkenberg win

With eight Formula One weekends to go after the Monza race, Sergio Perez is no longer able to overtake his teammate. The same goes for Oscar Piastri, Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant. They can no longer win the qualifying duel from Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg and Alexander Albon, respectively.

Yuki Tsunoda is also unbeatable in the duel between them, but the situation is different at AlphaTauri. Nyck de Vries was sacked after ten races, after which Daniel Ricciardo took over his seat. He was, in turn, replaced by Liam Lawson, Tsunoda's third teammate this F1 season.

Alex Albon is the only driver who has yet to be beaten by his teammate. The Williams driver has been faster in all qualifying sessions so far this season than Sargeant, who missed out on Q3 at Monza. At Mercedes and Ferrari, the tension is actually mounting. George Russell levelled the standings with Lewis Hamilton, while Carlos Sainz is starting to close the gap with Charles Leclerc.

Teammate battles after qualifying at the Italian GP

Verstappen 12-1 Perez*
Leclerc 8-6 Sainz
Hamilton 7-7 Russell
Ocon 6-8 Gasly
Norris 11-3 Piastri
Bottas 8-5 Zhou**
Alonso 12-2 Stroll
Magnussen 2-11 Hulkenberg*
Tsunoda 2-0 Lawson / Tsunoda 1-1 Ricciardo / Tsunoda 7-2 De Vries
Albon 14-0 Sargeant

*If drivers cannot drive in a session due to technical problems, we do not count this as a direct win by the other driver.

**If drivers are disqualified due to technical problems, we will not count this as a direct victory for the other driver.