Why Verstappen does not have a strategic advantage over Leclerc in Italian GP

Pirelli believe a one-stop strategy is the optimum strategy Formula 1 drivers should use in the Italian Grand Prix.

Tyre wear has not been a huge factor throughout practice and qualifying at Monza, with drivers such as Max Verstappen able to use the Soft tyres for multiple laps and continue to improve.

Owing to the high-speed nature of Monza, teams typically only make the mandatory one pitstop as to not lose time unnecessarily.

As such, Pirelli has indicated that this is the way to go to get around 53 laps of the Autodromo in as quick a time as possible.

The fastest way is to start on the C4 red Soft tyres, and run to about Lap 18-24. The Hard C2s are then bolted on.

Alternatively, going to Lap 23 to 30 on the yellow-marked Mediums before switching over to the white Hards is predicted to be as strong an option.

For those feeling adventurous, a Soft tyre run until Lap 22-28 before going onto the Mediums is deemed possible but not advisable.

Verstappen equal with Leclerc

Going into the race, Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both have two brand new sets of the Soft tyres available - as does Carlos Sainz Jr - who starts at the back.

They were able to do this by running scrubbed sets during qualifying to give them more options going into the race itself.

The other drivers from the big three teams all have one new set of the Softs in their pocket.

The McLaren duo, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly have no new sets of the Softs available.

Everyone is well stocked for new Mediums, although six drivers including Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas have two available.

Aside from Gasly, Tsunoda and the Aston Martin teammates, everyone has a new set of Hards available - although Aston do tend to put one heat cycle through their tyres without pushing too hard on them.