Jenson Button felt his decision to stick with McLaren's F-duct set-up was key to his front row qualifying position at Monza.
While his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton opted not to use the F-duct and instead to run extremely low wing levels, but ended up only fifth on the grid, Button stuck with the drag-reducing device and claimed his best starting position since Istanbul last season, and his first front row start in a McLaren.
"We came here not quite sure what approach to take in terms of downforce or efficiency," Button admitted. "Our side definitely made the right decision to run the high-downforce setup – the F-duct."
He said the high downforce option felt more comfortable for him on a flying lap.
"You have got more downforce, you can brake later, you can carry more speed through corners and you have to push very hard," said Button. "It is different to running low downforce, with low downforce most of speed is through the straights and you have to tip-toe around corners."
Button added that he had made a slight error on his last Q3 lap, but was extremely satisfied with his result.
"Qualifying was pretty good for me, I was close to the front in every session," he said. "In Q3 you have to push a bit more, but it is tricky here – sometimes you push harder and you go slower. Out of Ascari I got some oversteer and ran wide over the circuit.
"This is the first time I've been on thee front row of the grid all season. I am happy with approach we've had this weekend. I want a good start and a competitive race tomorrow."