Italian Grand Prix: Valtteri Bottas 'gutted' after failing to better Charles Leclerc at Monza

Valtteri Bottas

Bottas 'gutted' after failing to better Leclerc at Monza

Mercedes just didn't have enough.

Martin Macdonald

Sunday 8 September 2019 17:08

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Valtteri Bottas admits he is “gutted” that his efforts to overtake Charles Leclerc in the final few laps of the Italian Grand Prix failed, as the Ferrari driver went on to claim the win at Monza.

For the majority of the race it looked like it would be a battle between Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc for the victory, but after a mistake from the Brit with a handful of laps remaining which saw him venture wide over the chicane, Bottas took advantage to move into P2.

However, even though the Finn got within half-a-second of P1, a lockup at the vital moment allowed Leclerc to speed away to claim the flag.

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Bottas reckons Mercedes did everything they could to match the huge Ferrari power.

“I think we had a good strategy. We had some opportunities at the end,” he said after finishing second.

“I'm gutted. I was trying everything I could to get him [Leclerc]. There was no way past. Always when I was getting close I was locking because of the lack of downforce.

Leclerc 'never been so tired' after thrilling Monza winRead more

“They're so quick in the straights as well.

“I tried. I think it was the best we could do today.

“It was really difficult. We tried everything we could, with the engine modes and everything. Not quite enough.”

The Mercedes driver has won two races this season in Australia and Azerbaijan, but the two victories came within the first four events several months ago.

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