Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz saw off Max Verstappen by just 0.013 seconds to take pole position for the Italian Grand Prix. The Spaniard outgunned Red Bull’s Verstappen to the delight of the Ferrari faithful with Charles Leclerc third in the other scarlet car. George Russell finished fourth with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton only eighth on an underwhelming afternoon for the seven-time world champion. Verstappen, who is bidding to become the first driver in history to win 10 consecutive races, trailed the Ferrari duo heading into the final runs at Monza’s sun-cooked Temple of Speed. But the double world champion appeared to have delivered the goods when he usurped both men with his last lap after he had made a rare mistake in his first run by kicking up gravel on the exit of Variante Della Roggia. However, Sainz, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday and has been speedy all weekend here, sent the tifosi wild by pipping Verstappen in the closing seconds. Leclerc finished third, just 0.067 sec back in a nip-and-tuck qualifying session. Both Ferrari men faced an investigation by the stewards after they were alleged to have driven too slowly on their warm-up laps in Q1. The rule was updated on Saturday morning to avoid congestion and the possibility of accidents owing to the traffic. But the stewards confirmed in the moments after Sainz’s pole that neither the Spaniard nor Leclerc would face further action. Hamilton endured a difficult day, 48 hours after signing a new deal to extend his stay on the grid for another two years. The seven-time world champion is on a run of 35 races without a victory and he does not appear any closer to ending his barren streak. The Briton managed to haul his Mercedes into Q3 after he complained he was lacking grip, before suggesting he had been impeded by Red Bull’s Perez. But he failed to make an impression at the very sharp end of the grid in Q3 after he qualified half-a-second behind Sainz and two tenths adrift of team-mate Russell. Sergio Perez took fifth, while London-born Alex Albon, one of the standout performers of the season so far, impressed again. While rookie team-mate Logan Sargeant was knocked out of Q2 in 15th, Albon not only progressed to the final phase but also saw off both McLarens, Hamilton and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso as he outperformed his modest Williams machinery to qualify sixth. Oscar Piastri qualified seventh, two spots ahead of team-mate Lando Norris with Alonso 10th. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Carlos Sainz’s pace in practice gives Ferrari fans hope for Italian Grand Prix How Max Verstappen equalled Sebastien Vettel’s record for consecutive race wins Max Verstappen reveals Sebastian Vettel prediction as he closes on GP record run

Calvin Ridley is quick to point out the only numbers that matter: 5-2

Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan was awarded a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics by the IOC on Friday after she was disqualified at the world championships for refusing to shake...

Zion Williamson scored a season-high 32 points, Brandon Ingram added 30 and the New Orleans Pelicans finished group play in the NBA In-Season Tournament on a winning note, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 116-106 on Friday night

Bills receiver Stefon Diggs was back on the field practicing a day after Buffalo’s top receiver created a stir and confusion by skipping the team’s first of three scheduled mandatory sessions

Pep Guardiola reveals how Man City need to improve ahead of Champions League semi-final second leg.

World No. 4 Jessica Pegula cruised into the quarterfinals at the DC Open by beating fellow American Peyton Stearns in straight sets

England and Roma striker Tammy Abraham is recovering in a London hospital after surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament damage. Former Chelsea forward Abraham, 25, sustained the injury in Roma’s final game of the season last Sunday when a 2-1 home win against Spezia secured them a sixth-placed Serie A finish. A Roma statement read: “Tammy Abraham underwent reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Wednesday. “The operation was performed by Dr Andy Williams at London’s Cromwell Hospital, with AS Roma head of medical Massimo Manara in attendance, and was a complete success. “The player will remain at the London clinic for a few days before beginning the rehabilitation programme drawn up by the club’s medical staff. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tammy!” The Italian club, managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, signed Abraham from the Blues in August 2021 for £34million. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The New York Mets appear more willing to talk about Justin Verlander in trade talks. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are interested, per the latest MLB Rumors.Justin Verlander is very familiar with the Astros -- he won two World Series in Houston after he was traded from the Motor City in 2...

Inter Miami and Charlotte FC come in for their MLS showdown to see who will move on in this 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-final match in Fort Lauderdale on Aug 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET.Inter Miami and Charlotte are one of two MLS showdowns that will take place in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-finals. Inter ...

Former Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy launches a "multi-million pound" claim against the club over unpaid wages.

Dak Prescott threw two of his four touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb, DaRon Bland recorded his NFL-leading third interception return for a score and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Rams 43-20