By Michelin Sport
September 3 2005

Juan Pablo Montoya will start tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix from pole position. The Colombian lapped the historic Monza circuit in 1:21.054, 0.176s adrift of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, but the Finn will line up only 11th after being handed a 10-position grid penalty for an unscheduled engine change. Michelin drivers dominated the session. World championship leader Fernando Alonso will join Montoya at the front after posting the third fastest lap, while BAR Honda team-mates Jenson Button and Takuma Sato will share row two. Michelin drivers Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella, Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard will also start in the top 10.

Williams-BMW reserve Antonio Pizzonia has replaced regular driver Nick Heidfeld for the balance of the Italian GP weekend. The German crashed heavily during testing at Monza last weekend and was advised not to drive after yesterday's stint in the cockpit left him with a bad headache.

Michelin drivers set the pace in the final free practice sessions. Raikkonen topped the times, on 1:20.916. His team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya and Takuma Sato completed the top three.

"Both our compounds have worked very well here, but in the end most of our partner teams have chosen to run with the same type of tyre tomorrow," explained Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director. "Despite the heat and extreme straight-line speeds, which have a habit of increasing rear tyre temperatures, we have had no signs of undue wear or blistering.

"There have been no real shocks today, with a clutch of Michelin runners at the front. There is always the chance of the race throwing up a few surprises, of course, but come what may I know that our tyres will be in good shape for what will be the fastest race of the year."