Bottas expected Verstappen collision at Monaco Turn 1

Valtteri Bottas says he was expecting a collision with Max Verstappen after bravely hanging onto second place on the outside of the Red Bull at the first turn of the Monaco Grand Prix. Although Verstappen got the better launch, Bottas kept his foot in it executed a brilliant defence.

The Finn's starts have not been excellent in 2019, costing him victories from pole position in China and Barcelona.

Starting from second in Monte Carlo, he almost gave up the place to Verstappen, before he was eventually bumped down the order after making contact with the Dutchman in the pit-lane, perhaps realising Bottas' fears – albeit later than he had anticipated.

Bottas said: "For me, I think the start was OK. It felt like a normal start.

"Max had a really good one, he was in the inside then for Turn One – but I knew if I stay outside, carry the speed, should be OK.

"There was a small moment at mid-corner where I was kind of expecting him to hit me from the inside but he didn't, so I was happy and I got a good exit and, job done."

Verstappen jumped Bottas in the pits, but he was released from the pit-box as the Finn approached, forcing him to take evasive action towards the wall, which caused a puncture.

View this post on Instagram

Good news for Valtteri: Finland beat Canada 3-1 to win gold at the ice hockey worlds 🇫🇮 Bad news for Valtteri: it’s the #CanadianGP up next 😬 . #F1 #Formula1 #Bottas #IceHockey #IIHFWorlds #Finland

A post shared by FORMULA 1® (@f1) on May 26, 2019 at 1:55pm PDT

The Dutchman was given a five-second time penalty, which ultimately dropped him from second on the road to fourth, and Bottas had no qualms with the punishment, despite still losing a place come the chequered flag.

He said: "It's a tricky one because there would be no way I could ever gain back the position.

"So I lost, except I gained, at least, Max's position with his penalty. But, for example, the position I lost to Sebastian, there's no way I ever gain it back.

"So I think he got his penalty and I think it's OK. Not much to say more than that."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen knew these new F1 regulations would be bad, he told everybody three years ago

• 7 minutes ago

Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing

• 1 hour ago

Ferrari F1 suspect Mercedes skullduggery with new engine trick

• 2 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton's F1 boss confident of FIA Ferrari decision: 'A new championship will begin'

• 2 hours ago

Audi F1 make team principal decision after shocking exit

• 3 hours ago

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen at breaking point as journalists demand FIA action

• Today 07:45