Massa to Stroll: 'Just go for it, man!'

Rookie Lance Stroll doesn't have any inhibitions about lining up alongside triple world champion Lewis Hamilton on the front row of the Italian GP grid.

The Canadian produced an impressive effort yesterday in qualifying, splashing many of his rivals on his way to P4 in the treacherous conditions.

The Williams driver will enjoy however a front row seat at the start this afternoon thanks to the Red Bull pair getting kicked back down the order following grid penalties.

He may be the youngest driver ever to start a Grand Prix on the front row, the 19-year-old is determined to hold his own on the run down to the first chicane when the lights go green.

"It is going to be a special experience," said Stroll.

"There will be no one in front of me, just someone beside me. So I am going to run my race, do my thing and we will see what happens."

The Italian GP starting grid - including penalties

"I always try to use my head in the best way possible for my own race – whether it is Lewis or anyone else. And obviously I don't want to be smashing into them in the first corner.

"I know he is fighting for a world championship and I am not, and of course you have to pay respect, but I am just going to do my race and he will do his. Everyone will do their race going into the first chicane."

Team mate Felipe Massa who ended yesterday's session over one second adrift from Stroll was mighty impressed by the performance of the young apprentice.

"Just go for it, man," was Massa's suggestion to the teenager.

"I think it is a race that will be fantastic to score good points with both cars."

Williams tech boss Paddy Lowe also echoed Massa's assesment.

"What an achievement! Front row. Incredible achievement," said Williams tech boss Paddy Lowe.

"I don't think he will need any special guidance around that. Lance is good at starts actually. It is one of the things he has shown strongly right from the beginning.

"He is good at managing the negotiation of traffic into the first corner, so I think if we can give him a good configuration for the start so he should do well."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.