Bottas' ordeal: six figures, one lap behind Hamilton in Istanbul

There is art and manner. The art is knowing how to recognize your defeat against one of the greatest champions in the history of Formula 1. The way is to adopt dignified behavior in times of adversity. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) would have liked to never experience such a 2020 Turkish Grand Prix.

Only competitor who can mathematically delay the coronation of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, the wearer of No. 77 sank on the wet track at Istanbul Park. Six spins got the better of his last hopes, in a performance reminiscent of the five pirouettes of another vice-champion, Felipe Massa, at Silverstone in 2008. A race won in both cases by the now seven-time champion!

“It was a long race, a long day, Bottas said. The first round clearly went badly. I don't know if it was Daniel (Ricciardo) or someone else who spun in the first corner, I wanted to avoid him and I spun.

Valtteri Bottas confused speed and haste a few turns further and harpooned the unfortunate Esteban Ocon (Renault) by wanting to overtake his pursuer Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

“The car wasn't the same after that, I had difficulty staying on the track. I couldn't do it. The steering wheel was crooked and a piece of spoiler was missing. It was survival, it was not a good thing. »

Beaten, as always since his arrival at the Silver Arrows in 2017, by Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas (14th) showed great fair play towards the Englishman. “He was the best of us this year, over the entire season on average. He totally deserves his title and it's a good thing for him, but I will try to beat him next year. » We wonder with what plan.