Mercedes may order Valtteri Bottas to make way for Lewis Hamilton in sprint race
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted he could order Valtteri Bottas out of Lewis Hamilton’s way in Saturday’s sprint race ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. With Bottas set to start Sunday’s main event from last – penalised for taking on his fourth engine of the season, one more than is permitted – and Hamilton three points adrift of Verstappen in his quest for a record-breaking eighth title, Wolff reluctantly conceded that he might have to tell Bottas to move aside for his superstar driver. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff “We need to see how the race pans out, and if the positions stay like they are, then we will have to make that call. “But maybe tomorrow it is more acceptable to do it than other times because there is a point or two at stake, and Valtteri goes all the way back to the grid on Sunday with the engine penalty.” After topping practice, Q1, Q2, and posting the fastest time in the first action of Q3, Hamilton looked on course for pole.