Pirelli inquiry reveals ‘unusual number of cuts’ in F1 tires

“I felt from Ecclestone a complete and total desire to keep the grand prix”, he said.

These layers of history can help one forgive, at least for the length of the Monza weekend, the unattractive and shallow money-obsessed sides of F1.

“Obviously it’s not ideal”, said the Finn with his usual understatement. “But I didn’t conduct the expert lap”.

Rosberg qualified only fourth after reverting to an old engine.

In its statement, Pirelli said its investigation, which involved laboratory microscopic analysis and high-speed fatigue testing, “confirmed the absence of any structural problems” in tires used at Spa. But shut your eyes, let your imagination go, and you can picture drivers from the 1950s and ’60s hurtling round the dizzyingly steep banking, hearts in their mouths.

It’s Raikkonen’s first front-row start since China in 2013.

His views were echoed by fellow podium winners Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, who said more needs to be done to ensure historic races are retained alongside new events. “We hope the prime minister Matteo Renzi comes to the race”.

Fans were already making themselves heard in practice, blowing air horns and cheering loudest for the Ferrari cars.

“There are only a few small chances why it could be, but whatever the reason is we understand it correctly, 100%, and make sure that if we have to make changes we do the right things”.

Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Ferrari parent company Fiat Chrysler, and Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari met with Vettel and Raikkonen before practice.

World champion Lewis Hamilton warned it could lead to “disaster” due to increased tyre wear, while Fernando Alonso labelled it “strange” that such a significant rise could be introduced without having been tested with the current compounds.

“This is a huge step forward”, Marchionne said. “He’s a great driver“. The squad’s last constructors’ trophy came in 2008. “We’ve been looking very closely into the issue we had”, he said. “And that’s important not only for the people in the grandstand but also the people in the garage”. We seem to be in the [set-up] window a lot easier now with getting the vehicle there, so I’m definitely a lot happier with where the chassis is now.

Star Wars creator George Lucas was among the celebrities in the paddock.

In the wide-ranging conversation, Ecclestone and Arrivabene also discussed Vettel’s decision to turn his back on Red Bull last fall and secure a move to Ferrari for 2015.

“Of course the ideal situation would have been to see Kimi first into the first curve, with Vettel second or third. And you can’t ignore home turf, you just can’t”, he said.

Previous year he won from pole position and set the fastest lap at Monza before going on to win six of the last seven races and take his second title.

Now, he seeks to add a memorable victory on home soil for the scarlet scuderia at a time when the team and their local race, not to mention F1’s Italian tyre suppliers, badly need a boost.