Mercedes not♌iced a fuel leak at the end of FP3, forcing it to switch to an older power unit.

Bottas𝓰 was able to take part in qualifying as normal but it looked like an issue re-surfaced when he reported “misfiring”.

The issue was resolved as Bottas continued his strong run of form in qualifying, securing second on the grid behind Mꦰercedes teammate Lewis ไHamilton.

With Max Verstappen in third, the Finn acknowledged that it was an “important” session for the team as it goes in searc𒈔h of an eighth consecutive constructors’ championship, while Hamilton looks🔯 to win an eighth drivers’ title.

“It was an important qualifying today,” he said. “For me, I had a bit of a 💟struggle in FP3 and actually had to change the engines. The guys just finished the car before qualify🍸ing and everything was working fine, so I was happy.

“The last lap was on the limit, and I enjoyed it, but it’s a tough track. I mean, we are pushing one lap after t𝔉he other and the grip doesn’t drop, so it’s quite tough.”

Bottas admitted that the late engine change didn’t affect his preparations going into qualifying and he’s promised to buy some beers for m💃echanics given how speedy theജy fitted the new power unit.

“My preparations, not at all,” Bottas explain𝓰ed. “The guys, they just finished the car in time and everything was working fine, so I’ve already told th📖em that I’ll buy them some beers when we’re allowed to have some. That’s going to be on me.”

With teammate Hamilton still locked in an intense fight for the title with Verstappen, Bottas is focusing on “maximising the team result” rather than trying to win th🌺e race.

“Of course, if there’s a chance I can win the race, I’ll try⭕ but if not, then we need to maximize the team🐼 result,” Bottas added.

“I’m not fighting for the champion▨ship anymore, we need to keep that in mind, Lewi🅰s and Max are, so we need to see what’s best for the team.”