‘Energised’ Lewis Hamilton compared to Nigel Mansell after his first Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton will have his work cut out if he hopes to finish on the podium at Monza in his first race at the historic circuit as a Ferrari driver.

The Italian Grand Prix has been a happy hunting ground for Lewis Hamilton in the past.

Hamilton once held the fastest lap in F1 history at Monza before Max Verstappen’s pole position lap stole the record on Saturday.

The seven-time world champion has won on five occasions at the Italian Grand Prix and has seven pole positions.

However, if Hamilton is going to add to his eight podiums in front of the Tifosi on Sunday, he’ll need to do so from 10th on the grid.

His five-place grid penalty, picked up before the Dutch Grand Prix, means he’ll start on the fifth row, but stranger things have happened at the Temple of Speed.

Karun Chandhok and Jamie Chadwick were keeping a close eye on the 40-year-old during an encouraging qualifying session.

The former Lotus and HRT driver believes he could see a direct comparison to another British driver who raced for Ferrari in the past, although he hopes he can produce better results at Monza than Nigel Mansell did with Ferrari.

READ MORE: F1 Italian Grand Prix: how to watch Monza race, starting grid and weather as Ferrari focus on home race glory

Karun Chandhok says Lewis Hamilton feels pressure in the same way as Nigel Mansell

Chandhok was reflecting on qualifying for Sky Sports F1 (6/9 4:48 pm) and when talking about the impact Ferrari’s fans have had on Hamilton this weekend, he said: “He’s a driver that thrives on that, isn’t he?

“We’ve seen that at Silverstone in the past. He’s a bit like Nigel Mansell. He likes people power.

“He doesn’t feel the pressure, he’s energised by it, and it sounds like that’s had the same effect here.

“He’s been driving well all weekend, I think, much like in Zandvoort, he’s been a match for Leclerc in terms of pace, and it’s such a shame that he’s carrying that five-place penalty.”

Chadwick replied: “Absolutely, I think it’s being a match for a player that’s the big sort of step forward.

“When that car comes good, which we know on some tracks, and some places it can, that’s the moment we want to see him, obviously, ultimately put it on pole position.

“A bit like we saw in China earlier in the year in the Sprint format, so it might still happen yet.

“Hopefully tomorrow, but it’s going to be tricky on back in 10th.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s most memorable Monza moments ahead of Ferrari debut at the ‘Temple of Speed’

Lewis Hamilton heard apologising to Ferrari during unheard Italian Grand Prix radio moment

Mansell raced for Ferrari twice at Monza, suffering a gearbox issue in 1989, before finishing behind Ayrton Senna, teammate Alain Prost and Gerhard Berger in 1990.

If Hamilton finishes behind a Ferrari and two McLarens on Sunday, then he won’t be happy, but he can be satisfied with a strong race, especially with Verstappen on pole.

Hamilton was heard apologising to Ferrari on the team radio after qualifying, as he was frustrated with his lack of pace.

There are plenty of drivers starting directly in front of Hamilton that he’ll be confident he can overtake in the early stages of the race.

However, starting in 10th is dangerous at Monza, considering how the pack will concertina heading into the first chicane.

If Hamilton can survive the first lap, then anything can happen, and he’ll be energised just like Mansell was once he heard the crowd cheering him on during the race.