Valtteri Bottas: “The start was the key element for me”

After the round at Monza, Valtteri Bottas did it again in São Paulo and won his second sprint race of the season. The Finn, second at the start, made the perfect takeoff to overtake Max Verstappen before the first turn, and thus kept the lead until the checkered flag. In addition to winning pole position, the driver Mercedes rendered a great service to his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, by preventing the Dutchman from pocketing the 3 points intended for the winner. Starting on soft tires, unlike the current championship leader who was on mediums, the strategy adopted by the British team worked. 

“The start was the key element for me. We knew the soft tires would be an advantage for the start and it worked, admits Valtteri Bottas. Then it was about trying to survive until the end… I'm glad it worked out perfectly.”

This Sunday, the Finn will have to hold a vengeful Max Verstappen behind him, while Lewis Hamilton, 10th on the grid, will be condemned to make a new comeback of which he has the secret. For Valtteri Bottas, the strategy will be simple, maintain the lead of the race during the 71 laps of the track. 

“I think we have good pace, and this Sunday we will have to look ahead during the 71 laps. I'm starting from pole position, and I hope to keep the lead in the race. Now, it's quite open in terms of strategy for each team. We will just try to give the best performance possible ». 

The start of the São Paulo Grand Prix will be given at 18 p.m. this Sunday (French time) and will be followed in live text on AUTOhebdo.

VALTERI: "We knew the soft would be a benefit for the start and it worked, and then it was all about trying to survive until the end… I'm glad it worked out perfectly!"#BrazilGP (I.e. # F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/C9bAUVXvC5

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 13, 2021