Hamilton looked favourite to take pole position at M𓆏onza having shown impressive pace up until Q3.

Benefitting from a slipstream off Bottas, Hamilton led the way after the first runs, with the🏅 Finn down 🍨in fifth.

Bottas pipped Hꦫamilton at the end of Q3, making the most of a tow from the train of cars ahead to൩ take pole for tomorrow’s sprint race.

It’s only the fourth time in 2021 that Hami🌊lton has been beaten his teammate in qualifying.

Reflecting on the session, Hamilton said: “There was plenty i♏n it. I mean it’s close between us all. Valtteri did a great job right at the end. Not the best of qualifyings for me. P1 was really.

“For whatever reason, I just struggled in the session, but an🍌yways, still on the front row. It’s great to have a front-row lock-out for the team. It’s great as I said, particularly with the news last week to see Valtteri driving so well.”

Max Verstappen will start third, beating Lando Norris by the narrowest o❀f margins.

Hamilton says it was a surprise to see Red Bull so close after it struggled for pace in the first two parts🐠 of qualifying.

“I don’t know where they pulled out their pace but it’s going to be close,” he added. “They were miles off in 1 and 2 butꦉ suddenly they were right up there with us. That shows it’s super close.”