F1 Sprint Qualifying Results 2021 Italian GP
Event: Italian Grand Prix
Track: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Max Verstappen driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza
Weather: dry 27.6°C
Tarmac: dry 40.4°C
Humidity: 36.5%
Wind: 0.2 m/s E
Pressure: 995.7 mbar
Bottas Wins Monza Sprint as Verstappen Claims Italian GP Pole
Valtteri Bottas won the second-ever Formula 1 Sprint at Monza, leading all 18 laps to finish ahead of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
Despite winning the Sprint, Bottas would start Sunday's Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid following power-unit penalties. Under the 2021 Sprint regulations, Verstappen therefore secured pole position for the Grand Prix after finishing second.
Hamilton Loses Ground at the Start
Bottas started from first ahead of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen third and Lando Norris fourth.
Hamilton made a poor getaway and immediately lost positions to Verstappen and the two McLarens. Ricciardo made an especially strong start, jumping ahead of Norris and emerging in third behind Bottas and Verstappen.
By the time the field reached Curva Grande, Hamilton had fallen to sixth position.
Gasly Crashes on the Opening Lap
Pierre Gasly also made a strong start but lightly touched the rear of Ricciardo's McLaren at Turn 1, damaging the AlphaTauri's front wing.
As Gasly accelerated through Curva Grande, the damaged wing detached and became trapped underneath his front wheels. He lost control and went through the gravel into the barriers, becoming the Sprint's only retirement.
The incident brought out the Safety Car.
Tsunoda and Kubica Collide
There was further contact on the opening lap when Yuki Tsunoda and Robert Kubica collided at the second chicane.
Kubica was sent into a spin but managed to continue, while Tsunoda suffered front-wing damage and had to pit for repairs.
The Safety Car returned to the pits in time for racing to resume on Lap 4.
Bottas Controls the Restart
Bottas executed the restart perfectly and quickly opened a gap of around 1.5 seconds over Verstappen.
Behind them, Ricciardo held third ahead of Norris and Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz running sixth and seventh for Ferrari.
Verstappen remained within a few seconds of Bottas but did not get close enough to mount a serious attack for the lead.
Perez Battles Stroll
Sergio Perez spent several laps fighting Lance Stroll for ninth place.
Perez attacked into Turn 1 on Lap 9 but cut across the run-off area and retained the position. Red Bull instructed him to return the place to Stroll.
One lap later Perez tried again at the same corner and this time completed the pass legitimately.
Hamilton Trapped Behind Norris
Hamilton recovered to fifth following Gasly's retirement but then spent the majority of the Sprint behind Norris.
Despite remaining close to the McLaren, the Mercedes driver could not find a way past and eventually finished 1.176 seconds behind Norris.
The result proved costly in the Drivers' Championship. Verstappen collected two points for second place while Hamilton scored none, extending Verstappen's championship lead to five points.
Bottas Takes Sprint Victory
Bottas crossed the line 2.325 seconds ahead of Verstappen to claim three championship points and victory in the 100-kilometre Sprint.
Ricciardo finished third and collected the final Sprint point, with Norris fourth ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz and Antonio Giovinazzi.
Perez finished ninth ahead of Stroll, while Fernando Alonso completed the Sprint in 11th.
Verstappen Inherits Grand Prix Pole
Bottas' power-unit penalties meant he was required to start Sunday's Grand Prix from the back of the grid despite winning the Sprint.
Verstappen was therefore promoted to pole position, with Ricciardo joining him on the front row and Norris starting third. Hamilton would start fourth.
It gave Verstappen his first pole position at Monza and set up an intriguing Italian Grand Prix after Mercedes had initially locked out the front row for the Sprint.
Classification 2021 Italian F1 Sprint
Fastest lap: 1:23.502 min by Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B #33 on Lap 9 @ 249.752 km/h.
8 F1 Fan comments on “F1 Sprint Qualifying Results 2021 Italian GP”
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Lewis Hamilton is, understandably, a bit deflated in the paddock.
"It wasn't great," he tells Sky Sports. "But it is what it is.
"We underestimated how well [Red Bull] would start. I've got to try and figure out how I can get by and try to limit the damage.
"You saw the pace of the Red Bull - they are so fast. It should be an easy win for [Max Verstappen] and I have to try and get past the two guys [the McLarens] ahead."
It wasnt how fast the red bull started Lewis , you were just not good enough.....!!
It was a real 'dirty' start from my point of view, if you ask me. Ricciardo might have the same 'problem' tomorrow.
could be yes i suppose , but none of the commentators picked up on the possibility, either way good news for Max
A heartfelt salute to all the Lewis excuse makers.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of thumb widgets I am unable to offer an opinion Leopold...
Shrop', glad to see that sarcasm is alive and well. lol More troublesome is that 'reply' triggers a separate post.
Sprint races: stupid format. The main race has been spoilt for the sake of a procession, and again, an accident which, thankfully, didn't take the driver out of the main race. Only a matter of time before that happens.
Kick these sprints touch and don't mess with a qualifying format that works. Sorry Mr Braun, but it's a mess.
thumbs up geek