The two Williams chase Force India with a bold strategy
Both cars managed a clean start on super-soft tires and tried to extend the first stint as long as possible to benefit from a one-stop strategy. In the end, they finished eighth for Valtteri Bottas and ninth for Felipe Massa.
Williams team decided to bet on a one-stop strategy with an extended first stint. This strategy allowed them to keep Sergio Pérez behind and not lose ground to Nico Hülkenberg. It ultimately resulted in an eighth place for Valtteri Bottas and a ninth for Felipe Massa.
Valtteri Bottas started eighth on the grid and made a clean start. Bottas extended his first stint and stopped on lap 19 to put on medium tires. This strategy allowed the Finn to stay ahead of Pérez (Force India). « As a team, we did a good job today, with a strategy and tactics that worked as well as we could have hoped. We managed to execute the one-stop strategy, which was helped by perfect timing in the pit stops. »
Later in the Grand Prix, the driver with the number 77 managed to overtake his teammate Massa, hoping to catch up to Nico Hülkenberg in his Force India. Ultimately, he finished eighth behind Nico Hülkenberg (Force India). Unfortunately, the Force Indias had a bit more pace than us, which is why one of them was ahead today. Our battle with them was very close, and we just need to make sure we do even better next time in Brazil.
Note that Bottas set a new speed record with a hybrid Formula 1 car by reaching 372.5 km/h, the previous record held by Montoya in a McLaren in 2005 at Monza with 372.6 km/h but with a V10.
Felipe Massa made a good start, moving from ninth to sixth place in the early laps. In line with his team’s strategy, the Brazilian stopped on the fourteenth lap to switch to a set of medium tires after extending his first stint by notably blocking Sebastian Vettel. « It was a really tough race. I am really happy with the first lap because I made a lot of overtakes and reached up to sixth place. I stopped to put on medium tires and suffered through the first 15 laps with them. »
This stop allowed him to finally get ahead of Bottas. A few laps later, the Finn managed to get back in front. This forced Massa to fend off a determined Sergio Pérez for many laps. « Then, lap after lap, I gained grip and fought with Pérez throughout the race. It was really difficult to stay ahead, but I pushed until the end and I am so happy with this result. Even though we lost a point, we will keep fighting, and that’s what we will do until the last race of the season. »
The future F1 retiree also talks about his next race, which will take place at home and will inevitably be filled with intense emotions. « I am really looking forward to my next race at home, just being there with the Brazilian people will be amazing. I always strive to carry my country’s flag as high as possible. I love my country, and I will never forget how special this weekend will be. »
In summary, this race allowed the Grove team to lose only one point to Force India in the battle for fourth place in the Constructors’ standings.
