F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Bottas : "I finished ahead of my team-mate"
Valtteri Bottas felt satisfied by his race, giving everything to keep up with Max Verstappen's pace, and finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton
Entering the Abu Dhabi GP, the second place in the drivers’ standing was at stake between Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen. Sixteen points separated the two before the emirati race, but Verstappen had a good option to make up the gap, starting from pole.
After an almost uneventful race, the Finn came second, behind the young Dutchman. In doing so, Bottas secured the — not so coveted — second place in the drivers’ championship standing.
Asked about his race, Bottas stated:
"Red Bull were too quick today. We thought our race pace would be identical. They could really control the race and the gap when needed. I was trying everything I could but I couldn’t keep up with [Max].”
“I feel like it was a solid race from my side, no mistakes and I felt like we couldn’t get more out of the package today, so in that sense [it was] a good race.”
In the mental duel against Hamilton, it seemed important for Valtteri to end his season on a high, ahead of his teammate.
“I finished ahead of my team-mate, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a podium so that’s nice even though there isn’t champagne there.”
When asked about his end of the year celebrations, the Finn considered the commitments he still had to perform before leaving for his break, to spend some time with his family.
“I think [there are] still some commitments next week, but for sure some time off for Christmas.”
“Hopefully [I] can see the family, it’s been a while. I can’t remember when was the last time I saw them.
“Quick reset, quick training block and then start again from zero, try to do a bit better.”
After what has been one of Mercedes’ most prolific seasons, Bottas made sure to give the constructors champions a deserved accolade for the work they have done, and the results they have achieved together.
“The team, like I said on the radio have been amazing this year, so I’m really proud that we got P1 and P2 in the Drivers’ Championship,”
“Amazing season by every single team personnel in all the factories, so very thankful.
2nd Place in Abu Dhabi 🏆#VB77 #F1 #AbuDabhiGP @MercedesAMGF1 @F1
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) December 13, 2020
📷 Etherington pic.twitter.com/qZZoDKEySo
