Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton managed to secure pole position for the 2014 Formula One Italian Grand Prix, the Briton’s first in eight races. Hamilton set a blistering 1:24.109 in the third qualifying session, though his teammate Nico Rosberg was only a little over 0.2 of a second behind. Behind them were the two Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa. Bottas was the faster of the two, setting a 1:24.697 in the third session versus the 1:24.865 of Massa.

Securing fifth position on the grid was McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen, who just before the close managed a lap in 1:25.314. The Dane just edged out his teammate Jenson Button who had set a time of 1:25.379 earlier in the day.

To the home crowd’s dismay, the best grid position for Ferrari was seventh, thanks to the efforts of Fernando Alonso. His teammate Kimi Räikkönen, despite showing some promise during yesterday’s practice, was knocked out after the second qualifying session and was only 12th fastest. However, he’ll start at 11th as Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat, who qualified 11th today, will start at 21st tomorrow because of an engine change penalty.

Eighth and ninth spots on the grid went to Infiniti Red Bull Racing drivers Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, respectively. And rounding out the top ten was Force India’s Sergio Perez.

There were no major troubles today and the weather remained good. However, yesterday’s sunny forecast for Sunday’s race has now changed to a chance of a storm. Going into the race, Rosberg leads the 2014 Drivers’ Championship with 220 points while Hamilton is in second with 191 points. Ricciardo is third with 156 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes AMG sits on 411 points versus the 254 of Red Bull and 160 of Ferrari.

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