Valtteri Bottas: “It wasn't my day. »

Valtteri Bottas did not have the same success in Brazil as during these last outings, where he had regularly been the fastest of the other drivers behind the two Mercedes W05 Hybrid Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Fourth behind his teammate Felipe Massa at the start of the Grand Prix, the Finn lost almost any chance of a podium during his first two pit stops.

“I had a problem with my harness at the start which we resolved at the first pit stop but it cost me a lot of time and I also lost precious seconds at the second stop, says Bottas. The conditions were very difficult, particularly with very high tire wear. We managed to come away with some important points and I'm happy for Felipe. The crowd's reaction after he got out of the car was very special. These kinds of days come in Formula One and we need to re-energize ourselves and make Abu Dhabi a problem-free race for us. »

With 44 points ahead of Ferrari on the verge of the season finale in Abu Dhabi in two weeks, it is difficult to see how the formation of Whole grained could lose its fourth place in the Manufacturers' standings, even if the double points rule could change the hierarchy.

Find the full report of the Brazilian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Interlagos, in issue 1986 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and on newsstands from Wednesday.