FORMULA 1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX Bot kicking!
1 V Bottas (Fin) Mercedes 1min 13.609secs,
2 L Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes 1:13.706,
3 M Verstappen (Hol) Red Bull 1:14.176,
4 P Gasly (Fra) AlphaTauri 1:14.502,
5 D Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:14.520
6 A Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:14.572,
7 C Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:14.616,
8 D Kvyat (Rus) AlphaTauri 1:14.696,
9 L Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:14.814,
10 C Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:14.911.
DEFENDING world champ Lewis Hamilton blamed a “pretty pisspoor” final lap for missing out on pole at Imola yesterday.
Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas grabbed the top spot for Mercedes ahead of today’s race around the famous Italian track by just 0.097secs.
Hamilton, who can all-but claim another title with victory today, said: “It was a pretty p i s s - poor l ap by myself.
“But these things happen. You can’t always get it perfect.
“Valtteri did a great j ob. It was a real challenge out there but I enjoyed it.
“We will probably see a boring race as there is no real single place to overtake – the DRS will do some overtakes at Turn One. I will give it everything I have got.
“They don’t build tracks like this any more. It is a classic and has got the history.”
Hammy looked like he was going to burst clear of Bottas once again after leading in free practice but the Finn fought back after barely being able to contain his frustration at his performance last time out in Portugal.
He said: “It is never easy t o get pole position but I really enjoyed the challenge.
“This is a demanding track. I knew I had to improve for the last lap and I managed to find those little gains to go top. But, honestly, I had the shakes on the final run.”