MONZA, Italy (AP) β With Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg leading the way in practice for the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes is on track for its 23rd consecutive pole position Saturday.
Williams holds the Formula One record of 24 straight poles, set in 1992 and 1993.
Hamilton and Rosberg finished 1-2 in both of Friday’s practice sessions.
In the afternoon, championship leader Hamilton clocked the day’s best time of 1 minute, 24.279 seconds around the Monza circuit, which features the highest speeds in Formula One. Rosberg, the top challenger, was a narrow 0.021 seconds behind.
Sebastian Vettel, competing in a Ferrari for the first time at Monza, finished third in both sessions.
Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez flip-flopped between fourth and fifth over the two practices.
