Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix is all set to be another thriller if the qualifying is anything to go by.
Lewis Hamilton snatched the pole position in the dying seconds of qualifying to push dark horse Adrian Sutil into second. Of course, Sutil would hardly have been the dark horse if it hadn’t been for Giancarlo Fisichella’s showing at Spa last time ‘round. Hamilton put the KERS system to good use as he raced across the line .200th of a second ahead of Sutil. 
Kimi Raikkonen continued his consistent performance in qualifying with a third place while Heikki Kovalainen will start from fourth place in the third of the KERS powered cars in the top-4. While Rubens Barrichello lined up in fifth ahead of team mate, and chamionship leader, Jenson Button, it will be the surprise package of Vitantonio Liuzzi, the replacement for Fisichella, in the second Force India machine who will be the man to look out for.
While Fisichella fared better than Badoer, he was hardly impressive in 14th, meaning that the race will be a tough battle between the top 7. Why just the top 7? Well here’s why!!!
Hamilton is one of the most exciting drivers to come into the sport in recent years and leading off from the start, with that KERS system, he will definitely be a favourite to keep the lead. Sutil may be in second but chances are that his Force India might not be able to hold out against Ferrari of Raikkonen and the second McLaren of Kovalainen for too long before their KERS takes them ahead. 
Barrichello and Button have their work cut out and a good sprint to the first corner can see them compete for a podium place. However, all these top-6 starters will have to plan their pitstops very carefully as almost all carry relatively similar fuel loads. Monza will see a massive pileup for pitstops and it will all come down to the performance of the crew.
Taking advantage of this pitlane traffic jam will be Vitantonio Liuzzi. While the Force India may have come leaps and bounds in the last two races, the key factor for Liuzzi will be his fuel load, which is considerably heavier than the top-6. Everyone below Liuzzi might have a chance to go ahead initially, but the Force India will stay out longer than, pretty much, everyone with just a slight dip in race-pace. 
That means that there is a very good probability that Liuzzi will be leading the race for a major segment. However, Monza is a testing circuit and it will certainly be tough for Liuzzi who hasn’t had much time in the new car ever since the mid-season testing ban has become part of the regulations.
If words are anything to go by, Hamilton has exclaimed surprise at his pole position claiming that Force India have definitely deserved the top spot. The Brit was barely in the top-8 until the final run when, clearly, the fuel load played a great part in his blistering speed. 
Come raceday, Button and Brawn are still confident that the display will be no less than spectacular while Raikkonen still believes that he can do better. Ferrari will certainly be a top contender on their home race and one can even expect big things from Fisichella despite his low starting position.
In my opinion, there will definitely be a McLaren on the podium unless some grave misfortune strikes either of the two drivers while Ferrari will grab one podium with Fisichella ending in the points. Brawn will have their work cut out and from the looks of things, Barrichello’s recent run of form and Button’s recent run of misfortune may see them end high up in the points, but still off the podium. 
Force India are scheduled for another podium finish, or maybe even two if things go well with Liuzzi. Sutil is an extremely talented driver and will push Hamilton to the limit but if Hamilton is to be stopped from getting away, Raikkonen will need to pull something out of the bag.
All in all, Monza is scheduled to be spectacular and with one of the closest seasons in the offing, thanks to the recent dip in Button’s performance, we might just see the season open up for a photo-finish.