Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas finished third in the opening race of the season in Bahrain. He was quite disappointed with the result and felt that the team’s strategy didn’t allow him to show his full potential. However, Jenson Button feels that the Finn’s own pace during the race was the reason behind his third-place finish.

Bottas’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton was given more importance during the Grand Prix as he was fighting an intense battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the win in Bahrain. Hence the Silver Arrows couldn’t fully support the number 77  driver in the race.

The Brackley-based team leads the constructor’s championship with 41 points to their name. The team hopes to carry this momentum when they go Imola for the second race of the season.

Valtteri Bottas used as a pawn, says Jenson Button

During a Sky Sports interview as quoted by PlanetF1, Button said, “I think his pace compared to Lewis was a little bit off. That always hurts when you see your teammate pulling off into the distance.

“And he was also used as a little bit of a pawn during the race so Max would follow his lead during pit stops.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“It’s a little bit of tricky one [for him] because you know he’s going to be on the back foot in terms of the pit stops. But also the pace wasn’t quite there. It’s not been an easy race for him and I don’t think it fills him full of confidence for race two.

“That was the first time he’s looked unhappy with the way things have gone for the team.”

The Finn says that Mercedes had a defensive strategy

Bottas said, “From my side, the strategy was too much on the defensive side instead of attacking, which I was quite surprised of. We will review everything, but I feel we were more passive than aggressive with the strategy in the end.”

“I wanted to stay out longer in the middle stint on fresher tyres but it wouldn’t have made much difference in the end.” He concluded.

Bottas will have his chance in Italy, where they will race in the second round for the 2021 championship.

Will he be able to make up the pace to Lewis Hamilton? We shall soon find out.

Bottas Needs to Be a ‘Swine’ to Beat Lewis Hamilton: Hill