Last year’s qualifying session in Italy ended with farcical scenes in Q3 – and this year’s session saw similar shenanigans in Q1, with Renault’s Esteban Ocon and Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen going at it like it was the final lap of the Grand Prix, rather than the shootout for pole.
The trouble began as the drivers played cat and mouse as they prepared for their final runs in Q1 when, similar to last year, all of them were keen to get in position to catch a speed-boosting tow from a rival. Fed up with the queue of cars ahead of him, Raikkonen began to overtake cars, and ended up starting his lap right behind Ocon, who steadfastly stood his ground as they lapped closely.
Having branded Ocon an “idiot” as he raged during the session, Kimi Raikkonen was more philosophical afterwards.
“Sometimes it happens like that. It really depends where you end up and what you have to do. And then we end up so close to each other for many corners. It’s not the first time and it sure won’t be the last time that it happens. It’s kind of more of a race situation after that. That’s how it goes sometimes.
“All the rest is ok. Obviously it’s not ideal for any of us, but that’s what happens. [The Ocon defence] was a bit squeezing you off, but the laps were down at that point.” – Kimi concluded.
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