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By Alan Baldwin
(Reuters) - Formula One world championship leader Lewis Hamilton
lapped fastest in Italian Grand Prix practice on Friday but
predicted "a nightmare" in qualifying, with drivers likely to be
jostling for a slipstream advantage.
Last year's qualifying shootout at Monza turned into a farce
with the top 10 apparently doing all they could to avoid taking
the lead at the fastest track on the calendar.
All were so determined to secure an aerodynamic tow from the car
in front, and give nothing away, that nine drivers ran out of
time to put in a second flying lap and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc
took pole.
Hamilton, who has won five of the seven races so far with
Mercedes starting all on pole, told reporters he expected a
similar scenario on Saturday.
"It was difficult in the past. We didn't even get to do the last
lap last year, so I think it's going to be interesting," said
the six times champion.
"I heard they might put in place a minimum time that we have to
do an out-lap so maybe that will help, but still I think it's
going to be a nightmare in the last corner with everyone trying
to get a gap.
"It's definitely going to be hard work."
Haas driver Romain Grosjean agreed that everyone would be
looking for a tow and suggested Formula One should revert to
single-lap qualifying, with each driver out on his own, for
Monza.
"If it was down to me it would be one lap per driver, each one
after the other. Then there wouldn’t be any issues with slow
cars or slow laps or whatever," said the Frenchman.
"It will be complicated and up to us to do the best job we can."
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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