Valtteri Bottas: “I felt good though”

There is nothing left to play. Lewis Hamilton is world champion just like Mercedes. If in the seat, Hamilton and Bottas continue to give their all, we feel that the flame no longer really animates them outside.

When his engineer confirmed his 98th career pole, Lewis Hamilton was not exultant far from it. He was content to soberly congratulate his team.

“It’s a continuation of what we can do together as a team,” Hamilton said as he got out of the car. “I arrived today telling myself to just have fun without pressure. » Light as a feather the Briton who nevertheless took six tenths from the previous circuit record.

And above all, he clearly dominated his teammate for the majority of the weekend. If the Briton is used to making the difference in qualifying on the last lap, Bottas has never been able to worry him in Bahrain. “And yet I felt good, that’s the problem” regrets the Finn. “You think everything is OK, that you're getting the most out of your car, but the time isn't there. It's a bit embarrassing but I can't explain it at the moment. I was surprised when I saw the gap, I think we used different settings with Lewis. We'll see if that makes the difference. »

Valtteri Bottas is in his place and will especially have to watch Max Verstappen next to him on Sunday, who will start on the clean side of the track. Nothing new under the Mercedes sun.