Italian Grand Prix 2021 - Valtteri Bottas wins sprint race at Monza as Lewis Hamilton blows start
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Updated 11/09/2021 at 15:29 GMT
Valtteri Bottas put the disappointment of his imminent Mercedes departure behind him to win the sprint race at Monza as part of the Italian Grand Prix. The main event comes on Sunday, but there will be no place on the front row for the Finn, who will start on the back of the grid after taking a new power unit component.
Valtteri Bottas
Image credit: Getty Images
Departing Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas took first place in Saturday's sprint race at Monza ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton struggled at the start as he dropped down to fourth place. He ultimately finished in fifth place, just behind Lando Norris.
Championship leader Max Verstappen was on hand to take second, and Daniel Ricciardo claimed third place.
Bottas will depart the constructors championship holders after being replaced by George Russell for next season.
However he did not let that disappointment distract him on Saturday afternoon as he held onto the lead in the sprint race, despite having to keep his focus with a first-lap safety car.
Unfortunately, the Finn will start at the back of the grid despite his success as he is taking new power unit components ahead of Sunday's race.
The safety car was needed after Pierre Gasly suffered damage to his left wheel that saw him fly into the hoardings early on before trundling back towards the course.
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