There is doubt as to where Max Verstappen will be starting the Italian Grand Prix after receiving his Formula 1 grid penalty.
The Red Bull driver did qualify second fastest to Charles Leclerc, but he was carrying a five-place grid drop for a new Internal Combustion Engine.
Ordinarily, this would mean a P7 start, but owing to the high number of grid penalties at Monza, there are suggestions he will start P4 instead.
This is due to how the FIA calculate grid penalties, and do so by calculating each driver by opening up the grid, applying a penalty and then closing it again before repeating the process as many times as it required.
For his part, Verstappen and team boss Christian Horner believe he is on for a P7 start, but others, including Alpine, think the Dutchman will start P4.
Below is how RacingNews365.com has the top eight on the grid.
Charles Leclerc is definitely on pole and George Russell and Lando Norris will slot in behind, though the formation of the rest of the grid remains uncertain.
The FIA will issue the final Italian Grand Prix grid one hour before the race starts.
Provisional top eight on Italian Grand Prix grid
| Pos. | Coureur | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2. | Russell | Mercedes |
| 3. | Norris | McLaren |
| 4. | Ricciardo | McLaren |
| 5. | Gasly | AlphaTauri |
| 6. | Alonso | Alpine |
| 7. | Verstappen* | Red Bull |
| 8. | De Vries | Williams |
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F1 2022 Italian Grand Prix RN365 News dossier
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