Russian Grand Prix – Hamilton Disgusted: « it’s not the best day »
Discover the reactions of the top 3 from this Russian Grand Prix, marked by Valtteri Bottas's victory ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Valtteri Bottas (1st): « I felt that the pace was very good and that I could control everything »
With Verstappen’s poor start and the slipstream, Bottas arrived at the first corner in second position. After taking the lead of the race (the full summary here) following his teammate’s stop to serve a 10-second penalty, Bottas masterfully led the race to the checkered flag.
The winner comments on his race: “I knew I was going to have an opportunity after Lewis’s penalty. Once I got clean air, I felt that the pace was very good and that I could control everything.”
This victory puts the Finnish driver in a new dynamic: « Never give up! It’s a good day. I’m happy to have a new victory, it’s been a while. I must now continue in this momentum ».
Max Verstappen (2nd): Being able to slot in between the two Mercedes, we can be happy with that!
The Red Bull driver had a calm race in second position for most of the Grand Prix. After 2 consecutive retirements, Max Verstappen returns to the podium and positions himself once again between the two Mercedes. « Being able to position himself between the two Mercedes, we can be happy about that! »
He explains his poor start: « I had very little grip on the inside at the start. After the Safety Car, we were a bit slow with the mediums. I was a bit more competitive with the hard tires luckily. I tried to run my own race, managed my pace, and I am very happy with my second position after my 2
Abandonments.
Lewis Hamilton (3rd): It’s not the best day.
Michael Schumacher’s record of victories will have to wait! Starting from pole position, the driver of the Mercedes #44 had to battle throughout the race after being penalized 10 seconds for performing a start practice in an inappropriate area after exiting the pits, before the race.
The British driver did not want to elaborate on this during the interview: « whatever happened, what’s done is done ».
After his pit stop, Hamilton came out in eleventh position, 40 seconds behind leader Bottas. He climbed back up to third place. Not very talkative during the interview, he explained that this Sunday isn’t the best day. I take the points I have and I must move forward. Congratulations to Valtteri on his victory.
