F1 2020 Italian GP: Friday as it happened!

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As per Formula 1 tradition, a trip to Spa-Francorchamps is followed by a trip to Northern Italy for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Usually one of the best attended races of the year, Ferrari celebrates its home race at the ‘Temple of Speed’, one of F1’s iconic venues.

Ferrari heads to Monza in the worst state it's been in since the ‘90s with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc failing to score points - without any problems - at the last race at Spa.

The old saying goes - ‘If you’re quick at Spa, you’re quick at Monza’ - due to the high-speed, low downforce nature of both circuits.

Who was quick Spa? Mercedes were eventual victors with Lewis Hamilton claiming a 89th career win ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, while Renault enjoyed its strongest outing of the season with a P4 & P5 finish.

Who struggled at Spa? Ferrari - both cars failing to make it into Q3 and no points on the board. It surely can’t be as bad at its home race this weekend?

What to expect from this weekend?

Mercedes will surely be the team to beat at Monza, but the FIA has clamped down on the use of 'party modes' in qualifying meaning it will be interesting to see what impact that has on F1's leading outfit.

Watch out for Renault with the Ricciardo and Ocon fancying their chances of a podium finish with it suiting tracks which require minimal downforce.

Sunny, dry conditions are expected throughout the three-day event.

Pirelli has nominated the C2, C3 and C4 tyre, as it did in Belgium, Austria, Styria, Hungary and the second race at Silverstone.