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11 September 2021Bottas is a thunderbolt in the Sprint Qualifying: he starts in front, ends in front, without ever looking back.
Hamilton instead cues: he loses four positions at the start and two points from Verstappen in the standings, now at +5.
The Dutchman is the real winner on Saturday: he will start from pole (Bottas is penalized for changing the engine, he will be last) and will have the two McLarens of Ricciardo and Norris "as shield" on the grid. Their power, in fact, could become a great ally in the race for the World Cup to eat more points. Hamilton remains behind the McLarens for 18 long laps with the drs open but never having a real overtaking opportunity. A feeling of helplessness that leads him to make a crude mea culpa and put his hands forward: "It's just my fault, I had too much skidding. Tomorrow will be an easy win for Verstappen, I'll just have to limit the damage. Mercedes looks more strong here but Red Bull has the best car. Look how Max got stuck with Bottas. "
It is no coincidence that Verstappen laughs while talking under the central grandstand, finally full and colored in red: "We took home a couple of points and the pole. I would say not bad."
But the duel between Hamilton and Verstappen is so exciting that Bottas' super performance, medaled by "his speed" Marcell Jacobs, almost takes a back seat. The lightness with which the Finn passes on the curbs represents the serenity of his soul after the passage to Alfa Romeo. A second guide in perfect shape that, perhaps unlike Perez, could make the difference in terms of the World Championship: "It was a long time since I finished a race in front of everyone, I feel good to be here. Tomorrow I start last but I will try to make a difference: even if it will not be easy to overcome because there will be a train of cars with the drs ".
In the meantime, the Ferraris are holding on, but leaving a point for McLarens in the Constructors: they make the most of the unfortunate Gasly's exit from the road - he kisses the wall along the Curva Grande after losing the wing due to a contact with Ricciardo -, and Le ferrari . The two drivers do what they can also for their physical conditions: the Monegasque - who changes the engine but will not be penalized - has dizziness and nausea from the morning, Sainz has the signs of a bang against the wall of the Ascari during the second free. Giovinazzi continues to surprise: eighth.
Exciting day for the Alboreto family. The Parabolica is named after him. "We are very happy - says his wife Nadia -, we have wanted it for a long time".