Toto Wolff specifies the status of fantastic ally reserved for Bottas
The Mercedes team principal had used this term to describe the performance of the Finn, who had long protected Lewis Hamilton's rear on Sunday.
Team performance clear and assumed? Delighted to have achieved an unexpected victory this Sunday, under the nose of Ferrari and Red Bull, Toto Wolff let slip a comment on Valtteri Bottas to Canal+ journalists. In the heat of the moment, the boss spoke of the former Williams driver as a sensational ally, without specifying his train of thought.
Since then, the main person concerned has clarified.
« After the first round, Valtteri’s race was that of a perfect ally, I don’t mean in terms of the championship, because we don’t have a number one and not number two. I was just talking about the way he raced. That’s exactly why all these things that are not discussed directly face to face are going in the wrong direction.
In short, the team principal was pleasantly surprised to see Bottas holding back the two Ferrari drivers for most of the race. A choice reinforced by the strategy and the early pit stop of driver #77 on the 16th lap of the race, to protect his position against the two Ferraris. On the flip side, his soft tires did not allow him to resist until the end. Overtaken by Vettel on the 64th lap, he tried to defend his position to the extreme in the second corner. Result: a delayed braking, a broken front wing, and two lost places.
Another look at *that* dramatic collision 💥
Rivalries will be resumed at Spa in four weeks’ time 🇧🇪#SummerBreak #F1 pic.twitter.com/rytZKWw05p
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 30, 2018
His ordeal continued two laps later, when he made another contact, this time with Ricciardo’s Red Bull, which was overtaking him in the first corner. For this incident, Bottas received a ten-second penalty on his ranking and a deduction of two points on his license. The third disappointment for the Finnish driver was to learn about the application of this rule, which ‘hurt him’, according to his own words.
« I need to talk after this race. We are halfway through this season and the points gap with Lewis is such that I am sure the team will decide something.
» The Finn, however, was playing the appeasement card on his Twitter account just after the race:
1/2
Some out of context news around..I have not called a meeting with the bosses for Toto saying I was the perfect wingman in this race. There is no need to. I was disappointed with my end result in the race and saw everything in a negative way for a moment. I know what he meant
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) July 29, 2018
« We knew that the last 5 laps would be critical, responds Toto Wolff, well aware of the situation, but always flattering towards Bottas, adding this: « the best feeling is to know that he deserved this second place, after what he has done since the first lap.
« But you’re saying that the word wingman doesn’t do him justice? He just had a sensational race and helped Lewis in a way to build his lead. »
Thin consolation prize, Bottas also received compliments from his teammate in a certain way, Lewis Hamilton being well aware that he would have had to fight to stay ahead of the Ferraris.
If Vettel had come out in front of Bottas, it would have been very, very difficult. He probably would have caught up with me in five laps.
The Brit leads the championship with a 24-point advantage over Vettel… and 81 points over the unlucky Bottas. For the end of the season, the situation is crystal clear!
