Valtteri Bottas determined to avoid repeat of Russian GP team orders
Valtteri Bottas says he will ensure there is no repeat of the Merc✃edes Formula 1 team’s use of team orders at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
Last year’s race in Sochi was overshadowed by Mercedes’ decision to switch its drivers around in the closing stages of the race to helꩲp boost Lewis ಞHamilton’s title bid.
Bottas had led throughout from pole position but was told to give up position and dulyཧ obliged, gifting Hamilton an unlikely victory and maximum points on offer.
Valtteri Bottas says he will en🌃sure there is no repeat of the Mercedes Formula 1 team’s use of team orders at this weekend’s Russian Grand Pr👍ix.
Last year’s race in Sochi was overshadowed by𝓀 Mercedes’ decision to switch its drivers around in the closing stages of the race to help boost Lewis Hamꦏilton’s title bid.
Bottas had led throughout from pole position but was told to give up position and ꩵduly obliged, giftin🅠g Hamilton an unlikely victory and maximum points on offer.
The Finn finds himself trailing Hamilton by 65 points in the championship h🍸eading into the weekend, but is determined to keep the title fight in his own destiny.
“I’m not thinking about that any more coming into this weekend,” Bottas said when asked ab𓆏out the 2018 incident.
“I can’t go into ꦓdetails, we always review everything by the finest details with the team. I was in the factory on Tuesday and we had meetings about that and that will keep just for uཧs, whatever we’ve spoken about it.
“We have certain ru🀅les both ways, and they are equal. I just need to make sure I won't be in that situation again.”
Bottas claimed his maiden grand prix victory for Mercedes at the circuit in 2017, before cl🔯aiming pole and dominating the race last year prior to the team orders call.
Asked why he feels he has enjoyed so much success ♓at Sochi, Bottas replied: “For sure it gives you confidence when you co𒀰me into a weekend when you know previously it’s been one of the good tracks for you.
“So that’s obviously a nice way to start the weekend but in every case you always start from zero. Every season every track, every car, always changes a li𓆉ttle bit every year. So set-up and everythi🃏ng you start from zero but for sure I have a good mindset coming here knowing that it’s been good in the past.
“I don’t know why, just since the first year coming here I’ve just found a good flow around the track and haven’t really had any problematic corners so I’vꦬe always been on✤ the pace.
“There’s always things I can do better this year that I did last ye𝕴ar and that will be the aim.”
Lewis regularly atten💟ds Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
