Renault and Honda engine struggles as Mercedes streak ahead

While it is all plain-sailing on the engine front for Mercedes as they flex their muscles at the high speed Monza, the same cannot be said for rivals Renault and Honda.

Indeed, both manufacturers are now making use of the new loophole created when the FIA put a limit on how much drivers can be penalised per weekend for engine changes.

McLaren-Honda began the 'doubling up' at Spa, and now Red Bull and Toro Rosso are reportedly following suit.

Explaining the rationale of making multiple engine changes with a maximum of a back-of-the-grid demotion, McLaren's Eric Boullier told the official F1 website: "At tracks like Spa or Monza we have to use these 'jokers', to 'protect' the few races where we know we can be competitive."

According to some, however, the new loophole is simply making a "farce" of qualifying, as multiple drivers tumble to the back of the grid.

"It is likely to be a long time after qualifying until it is clear who actually starts from where on the grid. It is getting silly now," said Helmut Uhl, the correspondent for Bild newspaper.