The main focus of the grand prix will be on what the McLarens can do from their lowly starting positions.
The team can clinch their second consecutive constructors’ championship on Sunday. To do so, they need to outscore Ferrari by nine points and not be outscored by Mercedes by 12 points and Red Bull by 33.
At the start of the weekend, that looked like a slam dunk. Not so much any more, even if there is no doubt they will win it in the end.
At the front, Verstappen is likely to dominate. Carlos Sainz, in the Williams, starts second with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson third, followed by the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who has been ill all weekend. Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda lines up sixth.
With a bunch of slower cars between them, Verstappen would be expected to be too far ahead to challenge by the time Norris and Piastri move up to the front, if they even can.
The mixed-up grid should lead to an eventful race, with the McLarens and Ferraris trying to make progress.
And at McLaren, Verstappen’s return to form in Monza, followed by pole this weekend, has increased their concern about his threat on a championship basis.
That’s even despite the fact that, at 96 points behind Piastri, the four-time champion would have to close at an average of 12 points a race to get level by the end of the season.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was asked after qualifying whether he saw Verstappen as a factor in the championship.
He said: “A firm yes. Can you write it capital? Because it was quoted capital.
“We don’t have to forget that, first of all, it’s Max Verstappen. World champion for the last four years, in a fast car.
“There are races where McLaren may not enjoy any advantage from a competitiveness point of view.
“And also Lando and Oscar, they are always there, so they will not necessarily be maximising the points available. Sometimes there will be a little bit more points for Lando, a little bit more points for Oscar, so they may take some points away from each other.
“We are very aware of this aspect, but we let them race, because they both deserve to pursue their aspirations. Therefore, yes, Verstappen and Red Bull in contention for the drivers’ championship.”
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