Wolff Reveals Valtteri Bottas’ Role in Handing Lewis Hamilton Sprint Quali F1 Win at Monza

Late on Friday, Valtteri Bottas managed to oust his teammate, Lewis Hamilton by quite a margin to clinch his first-ever speed king award. However, to his poor luck this season, whenever he does manage to produce such strong showings, he ends up facing one or the other issues that eventually sabotage his weekend.

Well, a similar script is seemingly unfolding at Monza, as he is due to take a massive engine grid penalty ahead of Sunday’s main race. The Finn will start from last on the grid on Sunday irrespective of where he finishes in the sprint.

Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 5, 2021 Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff arrives at the circuit REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Hence, it looks like Bottas will yet again bend down to Mercedes’ team orders on Saturday afternoon. Mercedes’ boss, Toto Wolff, hinted that Bottas might have to play the role of a defender to keep Max Verstappen at bay. But, of course, he did affirm that team orders would depend on how the Mercedes drivers start the race.

What did Mercedes’ team principal say?

As reported by ESPN, Wolff affirmed that team orders are on cards for Bottas if the Finn fails to produce a decent getaway at lights out on Saturday.

“It’s difficult generally when you have to call team orders because all of us are racers and we don’t want to see that,” Wolff said. “He should be where he is on merit.

Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 10, 2021 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas after qualifying in pole position for the sprint qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Lars Baron

“But in any case, Valtteri is going anyway all the way to the back on Sunday. So we need to see how the start pans out because there is not too much to discuss. Just be careful in the first corner and then see where they are,” the Mercedes boss added.

In the end, Wolff also confessed that there are chances team orders would come into play even if Bottas was leading towards the end of the race. “Yeah, presumably,” he said.

Will Valtteri Bottas give his position up for Hamilton’s good?

Well, the soon-to-be Alfa Romeo driver has pretty much nothing to lose at Mercedes. Moreover, he himself is amidst an intense battle for P3 against Lando Norris and Sergio Perez. So, every point would be a gem for Bottas. He mentioned the same post-qualifying session as well.

Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 10, 2021 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas celebrates pole position for the sprint qualifying with his team Pool via REUTERS/Lars Baron

“Of course, starting from the front, I’m expecting to get the maximum points tomorrow and then do the best job we can on Sunday,” he said. “The weekend started nicely and I’m happy.”

Overall, a complicated session ahead for the Mercedes think tank. But, will this be the weekend where Bottas finally defies the team orders and lead his way to claim the crucial 3 points? Well, we’ll know soon enough.

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