Zlatan, Stallone, Giroud and celebrities gather at Italian Grand Prix - in pictures

Charles Leclerc looking to impress for Ferrari at Monza

World champion Max Verstappen meets Sylvester Stallone prior to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on September 11, 2022. Getty

Chef Gordon Ramsay walks with his daughter Tilly through the paddock. AP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic walks through the paddock before the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo / Luca Bruno)

Sylvester Stallone meets Sergio Perez. Getty

Ferrari's supporters cheer in the stands ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. AFP

Footballers Olivier Giroud and Rade Krunic in the paddock. EPA

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrives after the drivers' parade. AFP

Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel during the drivers' parade. PA

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra. EPA

Italy coach Roberto Mancini walks in the paddock. EPA

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari CEO John Elkann with the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella. Reuters

Former England coach Fabio Capello. EPA

Sylvester Stallone meets Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner. Getty

Pierre Gasly poses for a photo with Olivier Giroud and Davide Calabria. Getty

Actor Hugh Grant and Anna Elisabet Eberstein walk in the paddock. Getty

Prince Albert of Monaco before the race. Reuters

Chef Gordon Ramsay walks in the paddock. Getty

Italian businessman Flavio Briatore arrives at the circuit in Monza. PA

Charles Leclerc was looking to reignite the Formula One championship race on his home track after clinching pole position for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Runaway points leader Max Verstappen will again have to try to fight his way to the front – although this time only from seventh – after being among the many drivers to be hit with grid penalties.

Leclerc – who said he risked everything at the end – set the fastest time on his last lap in Saturday’s qualifying and knew he would start at the front of the grid even before Verstappen crossed 0.145 seconds slower, meaning the Ferrari driver secured pole on merit and not just because of his rival’s grid penalties.

Despite starting the season brightly, Ferrari has had a difficult campaign full of errors. Leclerc, who trails Verstappen by 109 points in the standings, admitted it was a “surprise” to top qualifying.

“It feels really, really good,” said Leclerc, who will be bidding to emulate his 2019 Monza triumph. “We still need to finalise this otherwise it’s pointless to do the pol, but it is a very good surprise considering where we come from. We were not expecting to fight for poles here.”

Footballers Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Olivier Giroud and Patrice Evra were among the host of celebrities gathering at Monza to watch the race drama. To see a gallery of stars at the grand prix, click on the gallery above.