Valtteri Bottas’ future at Mercedes was already hanging in the balance prior to the race in Hungary. After the events of the race, many now feel that his time at Mercedes will come to an end once this season is over.
“We didn’t speak about my future. I don’t think one race will influence anything. I don’t think so. We’ll see in the next weeks what happens.” Bottas said.
“If I’m honest, it would be nice to race next weekend and try and get a good race. But I guess it’s time for a break and try to come back strong and try and have a positive start to the second half.” Bottas added.
Bottas braked too late causing a lock up on his front left tire causing him to slide into Lando Norris who then collided into Max Verstappen. Bottas then continued his momentum of the crash into perez. He received a 5 place grid penalty for the next race due to this incident.
“Obviously my mistake. I was the one coming from behind and it’s up to me to brake early enough but I misjudged the braking point.” Bottas said.
“It shows it’s not so easy in those conditions to predict, but I should have braked earlier, because when I started braking, I was closing in, then I locked the wheels and I hit Lando, and that caused the whole mess. So, my misjudgement and my mistake.” Bottas added.
Norris was left disappointed with Bottas’ error, saying that he had expected better when racing the leading drivers
“You expect a little bit more from when you’re racing those top guys at the front of the field. But also they don’t race that often, they’re quite on their own, and not in the pack getting in dirty air and things as much as we are.” Norris said.
