We know from experience that the first corner at any Grand Prix track is critical, and like La Source at Spa Francorchamps and Mirabeau at Monaco, the first chicane at Monza is one of the most notorious and unforgiving on the F1 calendar.

Much therefore depends on what happens in the opening moments of today's race, and in particular at the first chicane. If Juan Pablo Montoya can get ahead of the pack he can control the race, and thereby aid his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen's, championship bid. However, if Fernando Alonso can get ahead…

Behind the Colombian and the Spaniard we have the two BARs of Button and Sato, however, our sources tell us that these two are running light, and that their qualifying pace was not to be taken too seriously, which is certainly borne out by their practice pace.

The Ferraris will be doing all that they can to get ahead of Jarno Trulli, for they know that once the Italian is in position, he is more than happy to settle down for the rest of the afternoon… as many of his rivals have learned throughout the season.

Giancarlo Fisichella needs to make up for his qualifying gaffe, and what better way to do it than to keep teammate Alonso's championship rival, Kimi Raikkonen, at bay. The Italian starts ahead of the Finn, and if he can hold the McLaren driver up he can give his Spanish teammate a much needed boost, whilst damaging the Woking team's championship hopes.

The McLarens are fast but fragile, though speaking before the race, Renault's Pat Symonds admitted that he wouldn't rule out Raikkonen winning this afternoon. However, that will depend on his the Finn deals with the pack surrounding him at the start, and how his teammate deals with Alonso.

The weather is perfect, with blue skies, bright sunshine and temperatures of 28 degrees C (air) 45 degrees (track).

One interesting thing is that following a very heavy overnight storm, much of the rubber has been washed away. Therefore a couple of teams are expecting some graining early in the race, but this should affect everyone.

The cars head off on the warm-up lap, everyone getting away.

Alonso really turns it on, on his return to the grid, getting the car sideways as he generates more heat in his tyres.

They're away, with Montoya leading into the first corner, and Alonso holding position. There's a slight coming together at the very back of the grid. Raikkonen makes a move on Villeneuve, but the Canadian is having none of it.

At the end of the first lap it's Montoya, Alonso, Button, Sato, Trulli and Barrichello. Karthikeyan, Webber, Coulthard and Albers all pit, clearly having been involved in the incident at the first corner.

Schumacher cuts the chicane as he attempts to take Trulli.

At the end of lap 2, Montoya leads Alonso by 2.1s, with Raikkonen, still behind Villeneuve, 10.2s down.

A fastest lap for Montoya on lap three, who leads by 2.4s. Button is third with Sato right on his tail and under close attention for Barrichello. Raikkonen is all over Villeneuve but the former champion will not give way, and why should he?