KIMI SAYS TAKE THAT!…WITH POLE AT MONZA

Kimi  will start the Italian Grand Prix on pole position  after finishing fastest in qualifying. Sebastian Vettel will line up in second whilst Lewis Hamilton qualified in third. 

Ferrari’s front-row triumph is their first in Italy since 2000, while it also marked Raikkonen’s first since last year’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton set the fastest lap on the opening runs in the shoot-out for pole before Raikkonen returned to take the spoils.

Raikkonen’s lap, which was in excess of an average speed of 163mph, eclipsed the sport’s quickest lap, set here by Juan Pablo Montoya for Williams, in 2004.

At 38 years and 320 days, Raikkonen is the oldest pole sitter at an F1 race since 41-year-old Nigel Mansell started from the front at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix.

“It is the best place to be, and it went right in the end,” said Raikkonen, whose lap was officially recorded at 163.785 mph.

“Being one and two is great for Ferrari, but it is only half the job done.”

Vettel added: “It wasn’t my best lap, but well done to Kimi. I am not entirely happy with the end of my qualifying and that is the emotion that is dominating now. It says passion on the Ferrari banner and that is exactly what the fans have.”

Hamilton, who was booed by the tifosi, said: “The second lap was still good, but it could have been better, but it was just amazing how intense it was, and that is how racing should be.”