It's fair to say that despite still being a favourite among fans and drivers, Monza is not the circuit it once was.

The introduction of chicanes to the super-speedway was bad enough, but since then the track has been further emasculated.

As a result, it tends to produce mostly processional races.

Yes, the weather can turn things around, as can strategy and fate, but Monza isn't what it was.

We head into race day hoping for a classic, and following Pierre Gasly's performance in qualifying why shouldn't we, but the reality is that the race will probably be decided in the opening laps. And those opening laps are likely to be frantic.

As witnessed at other tracks this season where energy management has been a significant factor, the opening laps are likely to feature a raft of yo-yo overtakes, and while some drivers will come out on top, others are set to lose out badly.

Then there is the 'siren like' draw of that long, long run to the first chicane at the start, which tens to see drivers bite off a lot more than they can chew.

A number of drivers have grid penalties, Antonelli, Albon and Lawson for new engines, and Piastri for impeding Lawson. Then, overnight, Alonso took on a new engine while a change to Lawson's rear wing assembly means the kiwi will start from the pitlane.

"Yesterday in Q1 we identified some abnormal behaviour (in the data) on some of the PU components of Fernando's car," said Aston Martin a couple of hours before the race. "This prevented Fernando from completing a final run in qualifying. We worked on the car overnight as a result and Fernando's car will start the race from the pit lane."

Both the Spaniard and his teammate were very, very unhappy yesterday, and neither was too complimentary about Honda.

It is Antonelli that will be worth watching, not so much to see how many places he can make up on the opening lap, but rather will he still be in the race.

All weekend, despite knowing he was set to start from the back, the youngster has been pushing to the limit, and that is likely to be the case today. Unfortunately, races cannot be won on the first lap, only lost, and we fear that the Mercedes driver has yet to learn that particular lesson.

Gasly enjoyed a fairy-tale qualifying, but the Frenchman is unlikely to finish on the podium today, instead we expect to see Russell battling the Ferraris.

Verstappen doesn't appear to have faith in his car - not that we can always believe him - while Piastri has that penalty. Teammate Norris, like Verstappen, doesn't feel confident.

Whatever the FIA might feel in terms of ADUO, it is crystal clear who has the best engine consequently we expect a Mercedes-powered car to rule the roost, a Russell very much needs a good result in order to keep his hopes alive.

Like Antonelli he faces the need for a new engine, consequently he is set to take a similar grid penalty in the coming races. However, there is talk of Mercedes having updated its engine, post ADUO findings, which would mean penalties for all the drivers powered by the three-pointed star.

Strategy will be important here, but that can wait until the field has sorted itself out following the opening dramas.

Pirelli's simulations indicate that a one-stop strategy will be the most competitive option, although several variations are very close in terms of overall race time. The choice of starting compound will likely depend on the characteristics of each car, as well as on the strategic approach the teams wish to adopt according to their grid positions.

The medium appears to offer the greatest flexibility, allowing teams to react to any neutralisations in either the early stages or the latter part of the race. On paper, the quickest strategy involves starting on the medium and making a pit stop between laps 24 and 30 before running to the flag on the hard.

An alternative, estimated to be around two seconds slower over the full race distance, is to switch from the medium to the soft between laps 30 and 36. The soft has proved fully raceable and could represent an interesting option for those looking to exploit its higher level of initial grip to gain positions along the long straight leading into Turn 1. In this scenario, the optimal pit stop window would be between laps 19 and 25, with the hard compound taken through to the chequered flag.

Data gathered on Saturday confirmed limited degradation across all three compounds, with no signs of critical wear or significant performance drop-off. Pirelli expects the graining observed on Friday to remain limited and not to have a significant impact on stint management.

The characteristics of the circuit, with its long straights and relatively low traction demands, also help control rear tyre temperatures and therefore promote optimal thermal management throughout the race. Teams will therefore have several strategic options available, with all three compounds fully usable and capable of offering different opportunities depending on how the race unfolds.

All the big guns, bar Russell have one set of fresh softs, while Antonelli has two sets of fresh softs.

The pitlane opens and Hulkenberg leads the way, followed by Lindblad, Bortoleto, Perez and Lawson.

Air temperature is 32 degrees C, while the track temperature is 55 degrees. There is 0% chance of rain.

Perez is already in trouble for failing to follow instructions in terms of his practice start. He will be investigated after the race. Colapinto is under investigation for a similar offence.

On the grid, Gasly is surrounded by photographers.

All are starting on medium bar Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Bortoleto, Bearman, Sainz. Ocon, Bottas, Perez and Stroll who are on softs. Tsunoda, Antonelli and Alonso are on hards.

Fresh rubber for all.

So, an aggressive start strategy for the Ferraris and Verstappen, while Antonelli is playing the long game.

They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.

The drivers weave violently from side to side in order to generate heat into their tyres.

The grid forms.

They're away! The Ferraris touch in the first chicane, Hamilton runs wide.

"Charles pushed me off," says Hamilton who has dropped to eleventh.

At the end of Lap 1, it's: Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Colapinto, Norris, Lindblad, Bearman and Hamilton.

Into Turn 1, Gasly is passed by Russell and then Leclerc but the Frenchman, who had been struggling for power, retakes the position through the Curva Grande.

Piastri passes Verstappen exiting the Curva Grande, but the Dutchman retakes the position at the second chicane.

Verstappen subsequently passes Leclerc, with Piastri also making a move on the Monegasque as they enter the Parabolica.

Leclerc is off, he crashes into the barrier at high speed. Thankfully, he subsequently climbs from the car. He sits beside the track and is comforted by marshals before the medics arrive.

Replay shows the Ferrari driver, after the attempted move by Piastri, subsequently losing it as he applied the power through the Parabolica. Running over the white line alongside the track, the Monegasque is simply a passenger as he spears across the gravel.

The race is red flagged to allow for barrier repairs.