Mercedes locked the first row in qualifying for the sprint qualifying. But they couldn’t use their positions as Lewis Hamilton got off to a bad start and dropped back to P5. Valtteri Bottas won the sprint qualifying, but will start from the end of the grid due to his engine penalty.
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Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin mentioned that they may need to advance through strategy and pit stops in the race. He also voiced his concern that Hamilton was unable to get past McLarens in the sprint.
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What did Andrew Shovlin say?
As reported by MercedesAMG.com, in his reports on how Sprint Qualifying went, Shovlin said it was a mixed result for the team. He also congratulated Bottas on the win and responded to how they will manage Lewis’ races tomorrow.
Adding his grim result for Hamilton, he said: “We will look at the strategic options for Lewis tomorrow, but the reality is that if we struggle to overtake the McLarens today, we will face the same situation tomorrow, and that is going to give Max a very easy win.
SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 16: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff (R) and engineer Andrew Shovlin speak in the pit lane before the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 16, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Charles Coates / Getty Images)
“We have to look at every opportunity because it’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen and it can often be an eventful race here, but we can’t afford to fall behind so quickly in the first stint.” today.”
DIVE DEEPER
Lewis Hamilton keeps his fingers crossed for a better result on Sunday
Lewis Hamilton will start the race on Sunday in P4. He mentioned that he is hoping for a different result in the main race than in the sprint qualifying and hopes to limit the damage.
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Formula 1 F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Sprint Qualification Pool via REUTERS / Lars Baron
“It’s not the result we wanted for today and we can’t afford days like this, especially when it’s so close to the championship.
We have a lot to do to analyze today’s race and prepare for tomorrow. I hope we can limit the damage and I know Valtteri and I will fight, ”said Hamilton.
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Lewis will try to overtake the McLaren duo as quickly as possible and challenge title rival Max Verstappen for victory.
Can Lewis win the Italian Grand Prix? Let us know.
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