F1 News
Valtteri Bottas rues chance to catch up to Hamilton in championship
- Bevan Youl
Valtteri Bottas has said he missed a ‘good opportunity’ to catch up on points to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the drivers championship after crashing out of the German Grand Prix.
Mercedes were leading the race one-two in the early stages after Bottas passed Max Verstappen at the start.
But after Hamilton ran off the penultimate corner and damaged his car, as well as a spin and poorly timed pitstop, Bottas was left hunting down Lance Stroll and Verstappen for the lead.
The Finn was gaining on the Canadian on slick but caught a wet patch at turn one and spun into the barrier, retiring from the race.
Bottas said on Mercedes’ website: "That was a really tough race and I’m very disappointed.
“It was tricky out there: the track was very slippery and the conditions changed all the time.
“It was very easy to make a mistake and unfortunately I made a mistake in the end which lost us a lot of points.
“It’s a shame because today was a good opportunity for me to make up some points to Lewis and it was my own fault that I ended up not getting any points at all in the end.
“I had a good shot to get a podium and I was pushing hard to get past Stroll.
“I was quite close to the limit in Turn 1, then I suddenly lost the rear and just went off; I don’t think there was any time to catch the car.
“It’s very disappointing for the entire team, but we’ll give it everything to come back stronger in Hungary."
Hamilton managed to gain two points on Bottas in the championship despite crossing the lin 11th.
Because of penalties given to both Alfa Romeo drivers in seventh and eighth, Hamilton was promoted to ninth.