Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the circumstances that resulted in Valtteri Bottas missing out on a near-certain win at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix were "shameful". Bottas suffered a puncture three laps from the end in Baku after running through debris left on the track.

The Finn had made the most of Mercedes' strategy gamble to jump Sebastian Vettel at a safety car period prompted by the Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen crashing.

However, it was another on-track squabble that would have consequences for Bottas as debris dropped by a battle between Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen was not spotted by marshals.

Having fallen short in Bahrain and seen a potential win in China slip through his hands, the Baku upset sent Bottas into a slump that he never really recovered from and he failed to win a race all year despite Mercedes winning the constructors' title.

With Bottas' place in the team having come under question, the lost win in Baku clearly still irks his boss.

"Baku for me was a shock," Wolff told Motorsport. "I was very annoyed and very upset because of this whole manoeuvre.

"Magnussen v Gasly was crazy, and should have been severely penalised.

"Then the debris being on the track from this shit fight, at this shit place at the back of the grid costing Valtteri this win is shameful. It is shameful. This is one of the worst moments for me this year."

Bottas is contracted by Mercedes for 2019, while the team hold another year in option if the Finn can convince them with his performances next year.

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