Ilott returns to form with Formula 2 pole position at Monza

Callum Ilott scored his fourth Formula 2 pole position of the season as he returned to form at Monza in qualifying.

Ilott scored one single point last time out at Spa-Francorchamps - his worst weekend of the season so far and thus surrendered the championship lead to Prema’s Robert Shwartzman.

It’s a welcome return to form for Ilott with title rival Shwartzman only managing 16th.

Ilott was only seventh after the first runs but made the most of a good slipstream from one of the MP Motorsport cars to topple Yuki Tsunoda’s provisional pole position time.

Tsunoda stormed to provisional pole position but was quickly beaten by Ilott before the red flag period.

Mick Schumacher had led the way after the first runs but crashed on his final run on the exit of the Ascari chicane, this meant drivers’ final laps were ruined and the session was suspended as a consequence.

Ilott shares the front row with Tsunoda, who sits third in the championship going into this weekend.

Luca Ghiotto is set to start third at his home race, edging out Christian Lundgaard.

Roy Nissany will start fifth in the Trident, his best F2 qualifying performance to date as he continues to build on his improved form and FP1 outings for the Williams Formula 1 team.

Nikita Mazepin starts sixth ahead of Schumacher and the second Carlin of Jehan Daruvala.

Louis Deletraz and Dan Ticktum round out the top ten spots with Ticktum opting to set his qualifying laps in clear air, meaning he did not have the benefit of a slipstream and the lap time it brings with it.