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Horror start from Lewis Hamilton gifts advantage to Max Verstappen after Italian GP sprint qualification

Tom Cary
·18 min read
Max Verstappen had a very good afternoon at Monza - he won two points to Hamilton's none and will start from pole tomorrow - AP
Max Verstappen had a very good afternoon at Monza - he won two points to Hamilton's none and will start from pole tomorrow - AP

  • Bottas wins sprint race with Verstappen second and Ricciardo third

  • Hamilton finishes in distant fifth after a shocking start sees him overtaken before first corner

  • World champion cuts a disconsolate figure after the race saying "it will be an easy win for Verstappen"

The presence of Italy’s new Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs on the start line ahead of Formula 1’s second ‘sprint race’ of the season was a nice touch. But it failed to inspire Lewis Hamilton who suffered an uncharacteristically sluggish start at Monza’s Temple of Speed and ended up having a disastrous day.

Hamilton finished the 18-lap race out of the points, down in fifth place, the position from which he will now start Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

And the seven-time world champion’s frustration was compounded by the fact that his title rival, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, picked up two precious points for finishing in second place, thereby stretching his lead over Hamilton in the drivers’ championship to five points.

Far more seriously, as far as Hamilton’s title aspirations are concerned, the Dutchman gets to start Sunday's grand prix from pole position after the winner of Saturday’s sprint race, Hamilton’s Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas, was relegated to the back of the field for changing his power unit.

Hamilton cut a disconsolate figure in the post-race mixed zone, predicting an “easy win” for Verstappen and saying he was now in “damage limitation” mode.

It was quite a contrast to his body language on Friday after he and Bottas had locked out the front row. Although it was Bottas who had taken pole by 0.096 seconds, most observers expected the Finn to move over for Hamilton at some stage so as to guarantee the world champion an extra point in the drivers’ championship as well as pole position.

Instead, Hamilton got far too much wheel spin at the start, dropping four places to sixth, and only regaining fifth place after Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly drove over his own front wing which had been hanging off after a collision with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo at the first Rettifilo chicane. That brought out the safety car for a few laps.

From then on the sprint race became something of a procession, with Verstappen unable or more likely unwilling to risk trying to pass Bottas for the sake of a single point, Hamilton unable to get past Lando Norris’ McLaren in fourth, and everyone else similarly unable or unwilling to get past anyone else.

The jury is very much still out on sprint races as a concept.

The intention was to create more of a spectacle for fans throughout the race weekend, with qualifying on a Friday night, followed by a shortened race on the Saturday which would reward the top three finishers with three, two and one point respectively, and which would decide the grid positions for Sunday.

But the evidence of the first two efforts, both at Silverstone earlier in the summer and now here in Monza, is that drivers are unwilling to risk their Sunday grid positions going for overtaking manoeuvres on the Saturday, especially with so few points on offer. It is also quite confusing for casual fans who do not follow the sport closely.

“Everyone is confused,” admitted Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff. “I believe the sprint race formula as it stands at the moment does not have much benefit because no one wants to take risks. I think let’s give it a try in Brazil [where the third and final trial of the season is due to take place] and let’s see if there’s anything that changes. But I’m not a fan.”

Valtteri Bottas won the sprint are at Monza at the end of a week when it was confirmed he won't be at Mercedes next year - GETTY IMAGES
Valtteri Bottas won the sprint are at Monza at the end of a week when it was confirmed he won't be at Mercedes next year - GETTY IMAGES

Ross Brawn, Formula 1’s managing director, tried to put a positive spin on things. “It was a little bit quiet at the front,” he admitted. “But you get that at a normal race anyway. There was plenty of action in the middle, and an exciting start, too, so it has added to the whole weekend.

“We might find in Brazil that we have a fantastic sprint, and it is over three races that we want to judge it.”

One other suggestion put forward to enliven the race weekend is to have some sort of reverse grid race, a concept backed by Ferrari who repeated their support for the idea earlier this week.

Wolff, though, said Mercedes would never back such an idea. “It’s diluting the DNA of the sport, which is a meritocracy,” he said. “I think the sprint races can be experimented with - I’m not sure they’ll stay - but reverse grids? They are only ok for junior categories when you want to check the overtaking abilities of the drivers. We shouldn’t try [changing things] with a baseball bat.”

Hamilton could do with taking one of those to Verstappen’s car on Sunday, stuck behind both McLarens and with overtaking likely to be at a premium. "We lost a lot of points today,” reflected the 36 year-old. “I now have to figure out how I'm going to get past the McLarens tomorrow. I will try to limit the damage. Everyone has been able to see the speed of Verstappen and the Red Bull. I don't know if he was faster than Valtteri, but at least he is very fast and he is starting from pole, so it should be an easy win for him.”

As it happened

03:46 PM

Brilliant by Bottas

03:36 PM

So Hamilton described...

...those two points won by Verstappen as "a lot" while Verstappen described them as a "little".

Come the end of the season we'll find out who's correct.

First up, however, Hamilton has seemingly already given up on victory tomorrow saying "it should be an easy win for [Verstappen]." So the current five-point gap will likely only increase.

Hamilton
Hamilton

03:30 PM

Fair to say Hamilton is VERY DEFLATED

Here's what he had to say...

On the race...

“It wasn’t that great - it is was it is. So we lost a lot of points.”

On the challenge of the McLaren...

“We underestimated how [well McLaren would do. We’ve got to work out how we can get by the McLarens tomorrow and limit the damage.”

On his battle with Max Verstappen...

“You saw the pace of the Red Bull, they’re so fast and now he’s on pole so it should be an easy win for him. Me, I’ve just got to get past [the McLarens].”

03:25 PM

Quick word on and from Bottas

At the end of a week when it was confirmed his services at Mercedes wouldn't be needed next season you can only assume he's quite chuffed to win that sprint race...

Here's his thoughts...

"I feel good - unfortunately I am start from the back but the speed is there. Today I enjoyed it - we had a good pace."

03:18 PM

'We won some nice little points'

If Max Verstappen wins the title by two points those 'little points' he won today will suddenly become HUGE...

Max Versteppen during the sprint race at Monza this afternoon - SHUTTERSTOCK
Max Versteppen during the sprint race at Monza this afternoon - SHUTTERSTOCK

03:16 PM

Max Verstappen speaks...

On his prize (the medal, not the big advantage over Hamilton...)...

"It's the first medal of my life!"

On how the race went...

"It went better than expected, we had a good start so we got up to second, scored some nice little points and are starting on pole for tomorrow. "

On the race tomorrow...

"Nevertheless they still seem pretty quick so it will be an interesting battle tomorrow. We’re going to try and have a good race tomorrow."

03:14 PM

I can confirm that...

...instead of getting an old-school laurel wreath (as they did at Silverstone) the top three in the sprint race at Monza got medals...

03:09 PM

So in a championship that could very well go down to the wire

That sprint race was pretty much a disaster for Lewis Hamilton.

NOW Verstappen's lead in the championship is up to five, not three and he starts from pole, Hamilton will start from fourth.

03:06 PM

As it finished

  1. Bottas
  2. Verstappen
  3. Ricciardo
  4. Norris
  5. Hamilton
  6. Leclerc
  7. Sainz
  8. Giovinazzi
  9. Perez
  10. Stroll
  11. Alonso
  12. Vettel
  13. Ocon
  14. Latifi
  15. Russell
  16. Tsunoda
  17. Kubica
  18. Mazepin
  19. Schumacher

DNF - Gasly

03:03 PM

BOTTAS WINS

But the real winner is Max Verstappen. He comes second, will get two points and start on pole tomorrow (Bottas starts at the back of the grid). Ricciardo is third. Norris is fourth and Hamilton in a sorry fifth.

Fair to say that wasn't in the script for Hamilton. Down two points on championship rival Verstappen and starting fourth tomorrow on the dirty side of the grid...

03:00 PM

LAP 17 - Bottas leads

Verstappen second, Hamilton fifth, yes, fifth...

Not long to go, just a lap...

02:59 PM

LAP 16 - Hamilton still fifth

Just under a second behind Norris in fourth. Pretty much a disaster of a sprint race for Lewis...

02:57 PM

LAP 15 - As it stands

  1. Bottas
  2. Verstappen
  3. Ricciardo
  4. Norris
  5. Hamilton
  6. Leclerc
  7. Sainz
  8. Gioivnazzi
  9. Perez
  10. Stroll

02:56 PM

LAP 14 - Hamilton pushing hard

He nearly goes off the track as he chases Norris - that was a lot of oversteer in a modern F1 car...Norris is holding him off with aplomb.

02:55 PM

LAP 13 - five laps to go

It looks as though Bottas will take this - 1.8 seconds ahead of Verstappen.

A reminder that Bottas will start at the back of tomorrow's grid so Verstappen will start in pole as it stands - tht plus two points makes this a very good afternoon for the Dutchman.

Hamilton still fifth behind Norris in fourth.

02:53 PM

LAP 12 - Norris is looking unflappable

He's driving calmly, not employing any weaving tactics etc - Hamilton still in fifth behind the young Briton.

02:52 PM

LAP 11 - Standings are...

  1. Bottas
  2. Verstappen
  3. Ricciardo
  4. Norris
  5. Hamilton
  6. Leclerc
  7. Sainz

02:51 PM

LAP 10 - Moving to the closing stages

And it's very much, unfortunately for Hamilton fans, a case of as you were.

02:51 PM

LAP 9 - Bottas' lead up to 1.7 secs

It's not as easy to pass at Monza as you'd think. Hamilton is finding that out, he's trying to get past Norris but without any luck so far. That battle for fourth place is meaning Ricciardo is having a fairly easy race in third. A reminder that Verstappen is in second.

02:48 PM

LAP 8 - Hamilton struggling to find way past Norris

He's currently nearly a second behind the McLaren man in fourth. With Verstappen in second it's fair to say this isn't going according to plan for the Mercedes man in fifth.

02:46 PM

LAP 7 - Bottas remains in the lead with Hamilton in fifth

  1. Bottas
  2. Verstappen
  3. Ricciardo
  4. Norris
  5. Hamilton

Norris is doing well, Hamilton described him as a fine driver and he's finding out exactly how fine. Hamilton isn't doing his chances tomorrow any good.

02:45 PM

LAP 6 - Bottas extends lead

It's only marginally, though. As for Hamilton, he's got a 0.5 second gap ahead to Norris in fourth. He'll need a bit of tyre wear from the McLaren to overtake his fellow Briton.

02:43 PM

LAP 5 - Bottas leads

The Finn is ahead of Verstappen by 1.5 seconds and Riccairado in third by over 3 seconds.

02:42 PM

LAP 4 - Hamilton still in fifth

Another thing hindering Hamilton is the McLaren's in front of him are on the soft tyres and they will have been helped by the two laps pf the safety car.

Bottas leading Verstappen.

02:40 PM

LAP 3 - Safety car still out

Hamilton back in fifth and is losing track time in which to claw back the advantage he had at the start.

  1. Bottas

  2. Verstappen

  3. Ricciardo

  4. Norris

  5. Hamilton

Safety car has now gone

02:38 PM

The start

02:36 PM

LAP 1 - Safety car is out

Hamilton just didn't get off quick enough and was swallowed up by those behind INCLUDING Verstappen...

Looking at that crash Gasly clipped the wing of the McLaren in front. It wasn't a particularly bad incident, thankfully...

02:34 PM

They're GO, GO, GO

Bottas is away well BUT Hamilton has a nightmare - he's gone back four places!

Awful start from the Briton...

Gasley is out having won here last year - and there may well be a safety car...

02:32 PM

Tyre choice?

Bottas, Hamilton and Verstappen have all opted for the medium tyres.

The two McLarens of Ricciardo and Norris have decided for the soft compound.

02:32 PM

The run down to turn one

Will be crucial - it's 450 metres and the race is about to start, with the cars on the formation lap...

02:27 PM

There's glorious sunshine in Italy

The air temperature is 28 degrees and track temperature is 43 degrees.

02:26 PM

Red Bull are ready

02:25 PM

We're about to get under way

At the iconic Monza race track...

02:25 PM

Could the result in a sprint race decide the championship?

Sky F1 have just spoken to Felipe Massa, the former Ferrari man, knows about coming second in very close title races (think 2008) and he says the three points on offer to winners of sprint races could be the deciding factor in who takes the championship come the end of the season.

02:21 PM

How they start in black and white

  1. Bottas
  2. Hamilton
  3. Verstappen
  4. Norris
  5. Ricciardo
  6. Gasly
  7. Sainz Jr
  8. Leclerc
  9. Perez
  10. Gioinazzi
  11. Vettel
  12. Stroll
  13. Alonso
  14. Ocon
  15. Russell
  16. Latifi
  17. Tsonoda
  18. Schumacher
  19. Kubica
  20. Mazepin

02:20 PM

Valtteri Bottas speaks

The man on pole on his fast lap...

“It was a good lap and really enjoyable - hopefully it goes well today.”

02:13 PM

Good news for Ferrari fans

The mechanics have got Carlos Sainz's car ready for the start in 20 minutes, following this morning's crash.

02:06 PM

And the winner receives...

Having done my research for today I was of the understanding that the first three in today’s race would get a laurel wreath for their efforts, as they did at Silverstone.

BUT the Monza officials have said they have something special up their sleeve instead…ohh, the excitement…

Max Verstappen with his laurel wreath at Silverstone having won the sprint race there - AFP
Max Verstappen with his laurel wreath at Silverstone having won the sprint race there - AFP

02:02 PM

Red Bull chief Christian Horner speaks

On what Max Verstappen needs to do at the start...

“We've got to try and get a good start, Mercedes will probably do their usual tactics where they do a ‘formation start’ and it’s tough to get past.”

01:58 PM

Here's the grid for today's sprint 'race'

So combine this and the times from this morning's practice it's clear the Mercedes has the early advantage - can they or more specifically, Lewis Hamilton, take that into the race this afternoon?

01:47 PM

While we focus on the action at Monza

There is the small matter of a tennis match in New York tonight...

Here's Emma Raducanu feeling the need for speed at Silverstone.

01:39 PM

So a recap on sprint qualifying

  • This is the second sprint qualifying after its debut at Silverstone.
  • Rather than the standard format of two practices on Friday and a third practice and qualifying on Saturday, there is one practice on Friday followed by a qualifying session that determined the grid for today's sprint.
  • The sprint race is over 100 kilometers and the top three finishers will also receive points toward the championship. First place will receive three points, second place two points, and third place one point.
  • Hamilton was fastest in qualifying at Silverstone but Verstappen topped him in the sprint to take pole.

01:28 PM

A bit of Tom Foolery in the Red Bull garage

01:17 PM

No great news for Ferrari fans

The session was red-flagged for just over 10 minutes after Carlos Sainz Jr. crashed into the wall at Ascari. The Ferrari driver was able to climb out and has been preliminarily cleared by medical staff but the team faces a race against time to get his car ready for the sprint later. Sainz is due to start in seventh at the Italian team's home circuit.

There were also problems for Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who won at Monza in 2019. He pulled into the garage early with an issue which he didn't want to explain over the radio. The team later said he was feeling slightly unwell.

01:16 PM

Good news for Hamilton

The Briton was the quickest is practice this morning. He was 0.222 seconds ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas and 0.416 quicker than championship leader Max Verstappen.

12:39 PM

Can Lewis Hamilton translate speed into pole in Italy?

Hello and welcome to this afternoon’s sprint qualifying from one of the old, fabled F1 tracks - Ferrari’s home, Monza.

This week the focus, as with most other weeks, is on Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen. The Dutch ace takes a three-point lead into tomorrow’s Grand Prix and, as ever, the attention will mostly be on how the two rivals perform in this afternoon’s sprint race - sorry, 'sprint qualifying' race (F1 will never call it a race…).

I say ‘mostly’ because yesterday’s qualifying for today’s ‘race’ saw Valtteri Bottas beat his Mercedes team-mate Hamilton to pole. That has bought in the possibility of some sort of team orders being brought in for this afternoon’s sprint, not least because in a tight race for the championship - which this campaign is seemingly serving up - making sure you start at Monzo at the front of the grid could be the difference between title glory and a case of what might have been cone the end of the season. So while Hamilton vs Verstappen is clearly the match-up everyone will be watching today, Hamilton vs Bottas vs any possible team orders is a sub-plot that could well affect the bigger battle.

Valtteri Bottas will start sprint 'race' from pole after pipping Lewis Hamilton in Friday's qualifying - REUTERS
Valtteri Bottas will start sprint 'race' from pole after pipping Lewis Hamilton in Friday's qualifying - REUTERS

Hamilton was only too aware of the importance of today’s qualifying and the need to maximise every advantage he may have on a track where the Mercedes has been quicker than the Red Bull.

“Every point counts,” Hamilton said on Friday. “You’ve seen championships lost by one point. There have been a lot of points lost this year on both sides and these sprint races will help so we have to capitalise on that.”

It will be intriguing to see whether Bottas does make way for his team-mate at any point. With Mercedes choosing to replace the Finn’s power unit on Friday, Bottas will start Sunday's grand prix from the back of the grid whatever happens. The incentive for Mercedes to order him to move aside on Saturday will not therefore be quite as strong as Hamilton will start from pole as long as he finishes second to his team-mate.

Stay here for all the action from Monza.