Bottas dominates the Monza Sprint, Verstappen on pole, bad operation for Hamilton

Max Verstappen will start the 2021 Italian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday. The pilot Red Bull, 3rd on the grid for the Sprint organized this Saturday at Monza, certainly finished behind Valtteri Bottas but the Finn, winner of the 2nd short event of the season, is subject to a penalty for non-regulatory engine change.

Verstappen can rub his hands all the more than his great rival in the championship, Lewis Hamilton, scores no points this Saturday. Second on the grid, the seven-time world champion was overtaken by the McLaren de Daniel Ricciardo et Lando Norris when the lights go out.

Hamilton also gets swallowed by theAlpha Tauri de Pierre Gasly but the Frenchman's race was interrupted at the Curva Grande following an exit from the track, fortunately not serious.

Gasly, winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, damaged his front wing by hitting the rear of Ricciardo's McLaren during the first braking.

Deprived of his mustache, which slipped under his wheels, the Frenchman was sent into the barriers a few meters further, fortunately without injury.

While he is experiencing a complicated first season at McLaren, Ricciardo finds a smile again by climbing to 3rd place. The Australian will therefore be on the front line on Sunday and will score the last point put into play this Saturday. Bottas pockets 3 points and Verstappen, 2.

Despite intense pressure from Hamilton, Norris managed to maintain his 4th place ahead of his compatriot. Good operation for Ferrari de Charles Leclerc et Carlos Sainz. The Monegasque, in bad shape this morning, and the Spaniard, who had a violent accident in Free Practice 2, finished 6th and 7th, ahead of an astonishing Antonio Giovinazzi.

Since his career has been written on dotted lines, the pilot Alfa Romeo has perhaps never driven so well! Giovinazzi precedes Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and Lance stroll (Aston Martin).

Outside the Top 10, Fernando Alonso (Alpine) scraped two places on the Sunday grid by finishing 11th. The double Spanish world champion actually started 13th, the place of his teammate Esteban Ocon under the checkerboard.

At the back of the grid, Robert Kubica, who once again replaced Kimi Räikkönen at Alfa Romeo, was sent spinning during the first lap by the AlphaTauri of Yuki tsunoda.

The Pole still manages to slip between the Haas de Nikita mazepin, 17th, and Mick Schumacher, 19th and last classified driver.

Verstappen is now 5 points ahead of Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship, while Red Bull is back to 3 points behind. Mercedes among manufacturers.