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Valtteri, it’s James! WATCH: Mercedes Strategist Vowles Credit Bottas for Hamilton’s Win

Published 07/19/2021, 8:25 AM EDT

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via Reuters

Valtteri Bottas started the British Grand Prix at P3 and finished the race in the same position, to clinch his sixth podium finish at Silverstone last week.

The Finn had a poor start after the restart as Lando Norris overtook him the same way Charles Leclerc did at the initial start. Bottas slipped to P4 but after the first pit stop, he jumped several positions and was running behind race leader Leclerc with an 8-second deficit.

However, with around 12 laps to go, Valtteri was told to let his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, through so he could chase down the race leader, Charles Leclerc. The Finn duly complied with the team orders, and as a result, the Knight overtook the Ferrari man, three laps before the checkered flag.

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So, after the race, Mercedes strategist James Vowles credited Valtteri Bottas for obeying team orders. The British engineer said, “Valtteri it’s James. Well done today. Thank you for that. You’re part of the reason why we won. Thank you.”

WATCH STORY: Toto Wolff Swears, Valtteri Bottas Bares: Funniest Moments From Drive to Survive

Wolff praises Valtteri Bottas after British GP

Valtteri Bottas has been under fire in recent weeks after a series of poor performances which failed to contribute to Mercedes’ charge for the championship this season. Furthermore, Williams’ George Russell is heavily rumored to be joining the Silver Arrows to replace the Finn.

However, after the British GP, Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff praised Bottas who gave Lewis Hamilton a slipstream in qualifying and obeyed team orders during the race.

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“Valtteri was really fast today. Lewis came from behind with hard tyres and was just in a different class than everyone else. Valtteri was second fastest and helped Lewis,” said Toto Wolff.

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via Reuters

“He’s a great team player with the right kind of personality. He has been a teammate of the best Formula 1 driver in history, and it is not always easy to shine in those circumstances. But he has been fantastic.”

Valtteri Bottas currently sits P4 in the drivers’ standings, four points ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

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Driver of the Day Leclerc Left Heartbroken After His ‘200%’ Goes in Vain Against Hamilton at British GP

Will we witness Valtteri Bottas drive as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate next season? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Pingaksh Sharma

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Pingaksh Sharma is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. He has been following this sport since India hosted the Grand Prix in 2012 and has been an ardent supporter of the eventual race winner, Sebastian Vettel. He is also a fan of Max Verstappen and Red Bull and hopes the former breaks the Lewis Hamilton dominance.
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