Valtteri Bottas admits he simply didn’t hꦯave the pace to contend with Lewis Hamilton at the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Despite making a slow start, Bottas managed to get ahead of Max Verstappen into Turn 2 and then Lewis Hamilton into Turꦡn 8 on the opening lap.

It was short-lived as on♉ce Hamilton got comfortable with the track conditions, he overtook the Finn several laps later into Turn 1 with the use oꦿf DRS.

Bottas eventually finished the race🦩 over 25s behind Hamilton - who claimed a record 92nd F1 victory, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s win tally.

“Yes, the opening lap was pretty good, there was a bit of drizzle,ღ which made it a bit tricky,” Bottas said. “Obviously, some cars from behind, on the Soft tyre, had the upper hand, but I was pretty pleased I could get the lead. But, to be honest, after that, I just had no pace today, I don’t understand why, but no pace…

“I tried to defend but at the rate he was going to close there was nothing really I could do. Like I said, I have no idea why I didn’t have the pace today. Pushing hard but should ha🎃ve gone faster.”

Bottas 🐼had requested soft tyres for his second stint over team radio, but Mercedes fitted hards to ensure both cars were on the s𝐆ame compound.

Bottas doubts a switch to softs would have aided him𝓡 in his fight with Hamilton.

“I was hoping to extend the first stint a bit and go for the softs at the end, but I🙈 don’t think it would have made any d🍸ifference to the result today,” Bottas added.