© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Lewis Hamilton was beaten for pole by team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the Italian Grand Prix Qualifying, but he is happy the team will start Saturday’s Sprint Race from the front row.
Mercedes has gone back to their old ways in Italian Grand Prix Qualifying by locking out the front row.
However, Lewis Hamilton was surprised by Max Verstappen’s fabulous final Q3 lap. Despite struggling in Q1 and Q2 the Dutch driver managed to put his car in P3, only 0.017s behind Hamilton.
“I don’t know where [Red Bull] pulled out their pace,” said the Briton.
“They were miles off in [Q] one and two, but all of a sudden they were right up there with us, so it just shows it’s super close.”
Despite not being able to qualify on pole himself, Lewis was happy for Valtteri Bottas.
If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!
“Congratulations to Valtteri, mega lap! It was looking pretty good from my side up until the end, just he went quicker and I couldn’t match it, so well deserved.
“Q1 was really good for me, but for whatever reason, I then just struggled. Still, on the front row.
“It’s great to have a front-row lockout for the team, that’s great, particularly with the news last week, it’s great to see Valtteri driving so well.”
With the 2021 championship being so closely fought, Lewis is looking to snatch the three points awarded for the win in Saturday’s Sprint Race.
“We’ve [Lewis and McLaren in 2007] lost a championship by one point, you know how that goes. There’s been a lot of points lost this year on both sides, so every point counts.
“But these sprint races definitely can add and help so we have to try and capitalise on that,” concluded the seven-time champion.
