Valtteri Bottas h𝕴as called his second-place finish in the Styrian Grand♉ Prix “damage limitation” after maintaining his lead in the 2020 Formula 1 world championship.

Bottas won the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix to open up an early 13-point buffer over Mercedes teammate Le🎃wis Hamilton but could only manage fourth on the grid during a wet qualifying session for the second race at ⭕the Red Bull Ring, while Hamilton claimed a dominant pole position.

The Finn recovered to second place in the race having battled past McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and successfully pulling off a late move on Max Verstappen, but with Hamilton𒊎 winning, he has seen his poi🌸nts advantage cut to six.

“Obviously Lewis started from the൩ pole and h𒁏ad a good start,” Bottas said.

“He could really control ꦯthe race and there was not as much happening as last weekend.

“But from my side, starting fourth, I think today was damage li𒉰mitation. Still got good points, still leading, so it’s not too bad.

“Yesterday wasn’t ideal, so that’s why I couldn’t get 25 poin♒ts today.”

Bottas ran longer into the first stint and was able to make the m♎ost of being on fresher tyres to catch and pass Verstappen’s Red Bull with just five laps to go. He ultimately finished over 13 seconds behind Hamilton to complete a Mercedes 1-2.

“It was a good bat𒁏tle with him [Verstappen],” Bottas explainedꦡ.

“I think I had quite a bit more pace at the end than him as we extended the first stint. Racing closely is alwa𒁃ys good fun.”

Asked if he was pleased to be heading to Hungary with a championshiಞp lead, Bottas replied: “I could have been more satisfied, but it’s be💛en a not bad first couple of races. I’m looking forward to next week."