Valtteri Bottas lost the benefit of his best lap at the start of the race by skating on his location, which made him lose his advantage over team-mate Lewis Hamilton when the lights went out.
The Mercedes driver has finished the Spanish Grand Prix in second place, but the Finn knows however that the 2019 season is still long and is ready to seize every opportunity to put all the chances on his side in the title race.
Bottas is well aware that the drivers’ world championship is between him and Hamilton at the moment, but he also knows that there will be a great development race at the other teams throughout the year.
“For the moment, the battle for the title is between me and Lewis, but the season is very long.” Bottas said.
“There are many teams, especially on some circuits, which are very close, and I think it will be a great development race between all the teams throughout the season.
“But if it happens between Lewis and me, every opportunity can be the key. That’s why the race [in Spain] was annoying for me.” Bottas added.
Bottas started the Spanish GP in pole position. He finished a staggering 0.634 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate, securing his third straight pole. While Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel started from third place – he finished almost nine tenths down on Bottas.
Mercedes drivers celebrate their victory at Spanish Grand Prix. (Source:www.autoblog.com)
“I had the feeling of having worked hard all weekend and qualifications … to be in pole position, on a circuit where it matters a lot and I lost everything at the start.” Bottas said.
“But it’s life – there are still 16 opportunities to seize. That’s a lot, I’m looking forward to it, we’ll see Monaco.” Bottas added.
Bottas is second and is now seven points behind Hamilton in the world championship standings. While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is third position with 66 points, two points before Vettel in fourth position.
