RECAP: Bottas claims victory of Italian GP Sprint

Valtteri Bottas has claimed victory of the Italian GP Sprint Qualifying race, ahead of Max Verstappen who will start tomorrow from the first spot.

The grid for the Italian Grand Prix was decided with the Sprint Qualifying race, the newly-added format by Formula 1 that will be tested during three races this season, with one already concluded in Silverstone.

The race began with Valtteri Bottas having a good start off the line, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton dropping down the order to 5th place as he got overtaken by Verstappen, Ricciardo, and Lando Norris, with whom the Mercedes driver had a side-by-side battle in which the McLaren came ahead.

The drama unfolded a few corners later as Pierre Gasly made contact with the back of Ricciardo, which damaged his wing and sent it under his floor, making him lose control and go into the gravel, crashing with the barriers. The Safety Car was deployed, and racing resumed on lap 4.

The race re-started with Bottas in the lead and Verstappen chasing him. Both McLarens were sitting 3rd and 4th respectively, with Hamilton following them behind in 5th place. Further back in the field, the Alpine cars seemed stronger than Aston Martin’s and it was proved as Alonso overtook Vettel for 11th place. Mazepin was running an impressive 15th place but was overtaken by Russell on lap 6.

Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll engaged in a battle for 9th place. The Mexican went wide on Turn 1 and bounced over the curbs, re-joining the track ahead of the Canadian. However, he was told to return the spot as it was an illegal move. Despite this, the Red Bull was able to once again overtake the Aston Martin in the next lap through turn 1.

In the end, it was Valtteri Bottas who took the victory of the Sprint Qualifying for the Italian GP, although he will start tomorrow’s main event from the back due to a PU change. Second finished Max Verstappen and third McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Here are the results of today’s Sprint Qualifying race: