Bottas prepared for difficult Italian GP: "It's not going to be easy"

Valtteri Bottas won the sprint race and picked up three World Championship points for his efforts. But following his Mercedes engine change, the Finnish driver will drop to the back of the grid for the Italian Grand Prix.

In his first weekend after Mercedes confirmed he will leave the team, Bottas looked strong out on the Monza circuit. But despite the good result, Bottas will start from the back. He is aware of the challenges he faces in fighting through the field.

"I feel good, it's been a while since I finished first. Unfotuanely, I start from the back. Today, I enjoyed a clean race, we had good pace. It's not going to be easy, when there's a train of DRS. Stategy wise, we have free choice so let's see if we can do everythig. Will give all we can," Bottas said after the sprint race.