Button: "Max can take pole this weekend"

Verstappen himself prefers to think he will start in third place, but the 2009 champ says on Sky Sports that he thinks the Dutchman can take his first pole of the season. "I think Max can go for pole today. They are so close together! Qualifying is a session I am really looking forward to. Even behind the top 3, the differences are very small. It's going to be a great battle for the top 10 positions".

"Mistakes will be punished"

Button continues: "It's great that at Mugello the mistakes are punished and there is gravel next to the track. You are forced to drive on the limit, but if you go over that, it is immediately punished hard - as was the case with Lando Norris yesterday".

Qualifying starts at 14:00 UK time. Then it will become clear whether Button's prediction will come true.