Lewis Hamilton is aiming to establish a new outright record for career pole positions and leapfrog Sebastian Vettel for the lead in this year’s world championship at the Italian Grand Prix. As four-time champion Vettel goes in search of his first win on Ferrari’s home track in Sunday’s classic high-speed charge, his nearest rival will be hunting a third victory in four years at the Autodromo Nazionale. Hamilton has won the Italian race three times overall and secured pole each of the last three years, a record that has encouraged him to believe he can secure another vital victory. He will attempt to extend that to four and, after equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 68 in Belgium, deliver his 69th pole. If he succeeds, and wins, the Briton will close the seven-point gap between him and the German and lead the title race for the first time this year.

Source: AFP