WATCH: Throwback to most chaotic qualifying session of 2019 Italian Grand Prix

The 2019 Italian Grand Prix at Monza delivered a dramatic and chaotic qualifying session that left fans on the edge of their seats, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc emerging as the hero of the day. The session was marked by confusion and miscalculations, but it ended with Leclerc securing his second consecutive pole position, much to the delight of the Tifosi.

The final qualifying session got off to a tense start, with Kimi Raikkonen's crash during Q3 bringing the session to a halt. The Alfa Romeo driver lost control of his car at the Parabolica, backing it into the barriers. Although Raikkonen was unharmed, his incident led to a red flag, adding to the mounting pressure on the drivers. As the session resumed, the fight for pole position intensified.

What followed this was one of the most bizarre and farcical ends to a qualifying session in recent Formula 1 history. With only a few minutes left on the clock, the drivers headed back onto the track, all eager to gain the crucial tow around Monza's high-speed circuit. However, in their bid to position themselves for the perfect run, most of them misjudged the timing.

Here is the video:

Complacency leads to complete and total chaos 🫣

Enjoy the utterly cursed final moments of qualifying at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix in full 🍿#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/VbNxRoxbY4

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 27, 2024

As the seconds ticked away, it became clear that many drivers were not going to make it across the line in time to start their final flying laps. The scene turned chaotic as seven of the nine remaining cars, including both Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas caught out by the chequered flag. Only Leclerc and McLaren's Carlos Sainz managed to cross the line in time, with Leclerc's initial lap proving fast enough to secure pole position.

Charles Leclerc dominates the day

Leclerc's pole, his fourth career pole and Ferrari's second in a row at Monza came by the narrowest of margins. He edged out Hamilton by just 0.039 seconds, with Bottas close behind in third, only 0.047 seconds off the pace. Vettel failed to start his final lap and ended up in fourth, a result that was less than ideal for Ferrari considering their hopes for a strong home race.

Despite the confusion, Renault had a standout session, with Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg locking out the third row of the grid in fifth and sixth, respectively. Their performance marked the team's best qualifying result of the season and provided a much-needed boost.

The day, however, belonged to Leclerc. While the chaos behind him may have overshadowed the session, his consistent pace and composure under pressure ensured that he was well-positioned to take the pole regardless of the drama. As he crossed the line to claim the top spot, the crowd erupted in celebration, their new hero delivering a memorable moment at Monza.