Valtteri Bottas: “If I just turn up like ‘OK, I am here to help‘ – it’s not ideal”
Following the Singapore Grand Prix, we’re now getting ready for the 2018 Russian Grand Prix – a track which suits Valtteri Bottas with him winning the race last year.
With the final 6 races of the 2018 Formula 1 season, it’s going to be a close battle between team rivals, Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Scuderia Ferrari but this is what we all want to see – a close battle and plenty of racing.
Valtteri Bottas sat down and had a chat about the upcoming Russian Grand Prix and below, you can see what he has to say about the race ahead, his thoughts on the Singapore Grand Prix and lots more.
Valtteri Bottas: “At the end of the race (Singapore Grand Prix) I had nothing in the front right tyre anymore, it was finished. The last eight to 10 laps behind Hulkenberg I lost at least one second per lap and I just couldn’t get close enough to trigger that blue flag, I think it’s 1.2s.”
“As I got to 1.6s or something I couldn’t get any closer, I just had more understeer. It was pretty tricky and I just lost time there.”
“It was difficult. He’s driving his race and he’s trying to keep away from that 1.2s. I understand – I was losing at least 10s of race time, which is a lot!”
“Honestly now, looking at how the race went, I don’t think that cost me any positions – but at some other race it could have as 10s is a lot.”
“At most of the circuits it’s fine but it is very difficult to get within 1.2s here and I’m sure at the next drivers’ briefing or whatever we’re going to speak about that.”
“The more and more downforce with the current spec of cars, it’s only going to get more difficult – previously it was 1.0s, now it is 1.2s and with more downforce being added – it’s going to be bigger but hopefully next year it will be different.”
“I’m looking forward to Russia!The race was a good race for me last year – I think it always has been so we can hopefully have a strong race there. It’s going to be a tough race again with Ferrari there like last year – when I had Sebastian right on my tail and I’m pretty sure this year is going to be the same between the two teams.”
“In terms of the championship, I still want whatever is possible and I think third at least is possible so that’s going to be the goal for me. Of course, I’m driving for myself and the team so – I really want a good result.”
“I’ll keep motivated and keep trying to bring good results but I really feel like I need some better results now – it’s been a while since I had proper good results, nearly over a year I’d say and one year since I won a race so for confidence and everything – I need some results now.”
“I need to stay hungry and keep motivated for every race that we have left. Obviously, mentally for me now compared to the first few races of the season, it’s more difficult now to feel the same mentally than when you are fighting for the championship and so on…. “
“Right now, what I need to do is put targets for myself. If I just turn up like ‘OK, I am going to be here to help’ – it’s not ideal. I need to have clear targets for each race weekend and this is what I’m going to do.”
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