BREAKING: Italian Grand Prix qualifying result as McLaren beaten and Ferrari party spoiled

It was billed as a Ferrari battle with McLaren for pole position at Monza. But everyone's party was spoiled by Max Verstappen who came from nowhere to snatch top spot in qualifying from Lando Norris.

Isack Hadjar came into Monza riding high after his eye-catching podium at Zandvoort last Sunday, but was brought crashing back down to earth when he qualified only 16th for this one. It was soon confirmed that he had been suffering from a power unit issue which is likely to lead to a change overnight and mean a pit lane start for the Frenchman.

It was a rough qualifying for Racing Bulls as a whole as Liam Lawson also saw dropped out in Q1, 20th and last on the timesheets. Both Alpine cars also failed to make it out of the bottom five, while Lance Stroll was the other driver to fall at the first hurdle. In contrast, Fernando Alonso managed to steer the other Aston Martin to the sixth fastest lap time of all in that first portion of qualifying.

READ MORE: Why are Ferrari wearing blue at Italian Grand Prix? The reason behind colour change

READ MORE: Things have changed for Franco Colapinto who can still save his Alpine F1 seat

Norris was left sweating in Q2 after his first attempt at a flying lap was abandoned when he cut the first corner chicane. That left him with one set of tyres on which to try two more runs, the first of which put him only seventh on the timesheets and very much at risk of a Q2 exit if he could not find more pace on the same rubber a few minutes later.

And it was looking touch-and-go for a while with the Brit the last man on a flying lap, 11th on the timesheets and needing to find pace in the final sector to overcome Oliver Bearman. But Norris found the pace, helped by a tow down the penultimate straight, to drop the Haas into the bottom five and make it through.

It was also a nail-biter for Hamilton, who Ferrari needed in the final part of qualifying to give Leclerc the tow he likely needed to be able to beat the McLarens to pole. The seven-time champion's best time in Q2 was good enough for eighth but left him at risk with several drivers still to cross the line, but after a worrying few seconds his place in the top 10 was eventually rubber-stamped.

The first of the two runs in the shootout for pole threw up some surprises, most notably Verstappen sat at the top of the timesheets. And Norris was again well down the order, only seventh quickest as he messy qualifying session continued.

Gabriel Bortoleto was quicker than the Brit in the Sauber on used tyres and the Brazilian was clearly a threat for those with ambitions of making it into the top five. Ferrari went first on the final runs but Leclerc was sent out ahead of Hamilton, so no tow for the Monegasque and also no pole.

---

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.