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Vettel: Massa did Bottas "a favour twice"
Sebastian Vettel says Felipe Massa did Valtteri Bottas "a favour twice" in the battle for victory in the Russian Grand Prix.
Pablo Elizalde
Edited: May 1, 2017, 7:46 AM
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Vettel had closed within DRS range of Bottas before the start of the final lap, but the German was forced to take an unorthodox line to pass Massa and lost time to the Finn, who went on to win the race.
The Ferrari driver was angry and gesticulated to Massa, who later said that Vettel "likes to complain".
Vettel was convinced the Brazilian - Bottas' former teammate at Williams - had not only cost him time, but have also helped Bottas with his tow.
"He did cost me," said Vettel. "First of all, he handed a very pleasant tow to Valtteri on the last lap, and I was in the DRS, which was tough enough to do.
"And then he let him by and I don't know if he knew there was another car coming. I don't think, maybe.
"Obviously Felipe did him a favour twice. Once handing him a pleasant tow and then he cost me a bit of time. But that's how it is with backmarkers."
He added: "Before that I had 10 laps where I was flat out trying everything I can to get into the DRS zone and chase him down. Just about succeeded with a couple of laps to go and then in the last lap I was hoping to get closer for the back straight because we were really strong in the middle sector."
Vettel reckoned, however, that even without Massa he would have been unable to pass Bottas.
"Initially I was a bit angry but I think Valtteri was so much in control that he had it anyways, even if I could have used the DRS on the back straight," he said.
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