Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global

Bottas blames white line for slow start

Valtteri Bottas blamed the painted white start-finish line that runs across the track for causing the wheelspin that cost him a shot of victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG W10, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W10, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF90 and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90 at the start of the race

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG W10, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W10, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF90 and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90 at the start of the race

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

The Finn made an initially good getaway from his pole position slot but a bit of wheelspin during the acceleration phase cost him valuable momentum and allowed teammate Lewis Hamilton to sneak ahead on the run to the first corner.

Trapped in Hamilton's dirty air without a big pace advantage, Bottas was unable to challenge his teammate as he eventually came home second.

Speaking after the race, Bottas was adamant that the start moment defined his afternoon, as he explained why his getaway was not as good.

"I think I lost it in the start, honestly," said Bottas. "Otherwise the car was feeling okay and the pace was similar. But in the first stint, in the dirty air, I couldn't follow.

"It was a shame about the start. I got some wheelspin as I went over the white line, the start-finish line, which is immediately after my box, so I lost it there."

Although disappointed about how a small factor cost him chance of winning, Bottas said that there were reasons for Mercedes to be encouraged after delivering its third consecutive 1-2 finish.

"It is small details but it is early days in the season, things are looking good," he added. "I am really proud for the team we've done three perfect weekends so far that is very good."

Hamilton backed Bottas up in saying that the start made all the difference in the race result.

"The start was really where I was able to make the difference and after that it was history," he said.

"It has not been a straightforward weekend but what a fantastic result for the team. Everyone has worked so hard. We came here and didn't know where we would stand against the Ferraris, as they were so quick in the last race."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Chinese GP: Hamilton leads third consecutive Mercedes 1-2
Next article Vettel "predicted" Verstappen's overtaking attempt

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global