São Paulo Grand Prix – Bottas: “I could have caught up with Max”
After winning the sprint qualification, the Finn finished on the podium, not far from Max Verstappen.
At the start of the race, Valtteri Bottas’ mission was to resist Max Verstappen. He was not able to do so. Worse: by attempting to overtake the Dutchman on the outside, he ended up mowing the lawn at the first corner, which cost him his exit and allowed Max Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, to pass him as well. In the end, the Mercedes driver salvaged the situation by finishing on the podium after catching up to Verstappen in the final laps of the race.
« The first lap was very disappointing: I had a mediocre start while Max (Verstappen) had a good one. Then I tried to defend against Checo (Sergio Pérez) and went wide. After that, I kept attacking and seized the opportunity to pit under VSC. I think the pace was good today and I was quite close to Max. »
« I think I could have caught up with Max. I knew there could be an opportunity and he really started to lose time towards the end of the race. I honestly think that only a few more laps would have been enough.
« I am also very happy for Lewis Hamilton. He had a very good race and I think he was in a different category than the others today.
Valtteri Bottas consolidates his 3rd place in the championship and allows Mercedes to have an 11-point lead in the constructors’ championship.
