Monza Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Slipstreaming is an art at Italy's Temple of Speed where a well-timed run in the low-pressure wake of a preceding car can deliver significant gains and boost the momentum of F1's usual laggards.

The presence at the top of the speed trap readings of Williams' Nicholas Latifi rather proves that point.

But Antonio Giovinazzi's strong velocity in qualifying coupled with a P7 slot on Sunday's grid bode well for the Alfa Romeo charger's chances of enjoying a strong home race, and a timely one it would be as Gio is fighting to retain his seat with the Swiss outfit.

Friday's qualifying pacesetters, Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, were evenly matched in terms of straight-line speed, while Max Verstappen was among the slower cars on Monza's main straight, about 4mph slower than his Mercedes rivals.

• Read also - Red Bull: Mercedes impacted by engine 'clipping' on straights

But the Dutchman, who finished P2 in Saturday's sprint race, will lead the field at the start this afternoon thanks to Bottas' demotion to the back of the grid as a result of the Finn taking on new engine elements.

However, Max's fate this afternoon might well be in the hands of McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris. Both will line up right behind the championship leader but their superior straight-line speed relative to Red Bull's RB16B could see the pair overhaul the Dutchman in short order.

Could today mark the return of McLaren to the winner's circle?

But then, there's always one Lewis Hamilton to reckon with...

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