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Bottas 'very concerned' over Mercedes strategy

Photo: © LAT Images

Bottas 'very concerned' over Mercedes strategy

He was pitted at the same time as Hamilton.

Valtteri Bottas has admitted that he was “very concerned” over Mercedes’ decision to pit both he and Lewis Hamilton at the same time during the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, as it could have potentially compromised his position in second.

The Finn secured pole position after finishing first in qualifying on Saturday, but he lost P1 almost immediately as his wheels spun on the line, which allowed Hamilton to burst ahead before the first corner.

Bottas: I lost Chinese GP at the startRead more

Mercedes eventually finished with the one-two after opting to pull both drivers in on lap 36 with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen circling in behind, but Bottas wasn’t sure that was the best call at the time.

"I was very concerned," said Bottas in an interview on Fi.com.

"You know you're going to lose time being the car behind, but it was due to the start that I was in that position.

"I was questioning the team – if I could stop later or carry on without stopping – but there was too big a risk in terms of tyre life if we can make it or not.

"I was questioning because if I could do something different, other than stopping behind Lewis, that was going to be my only chance to win the race.

"I knew if we were coming in, that's going to be pretty much it unless something crazy happens.”

Bottas finished second in Shanghai for the second race in a row this season, following his opening victory in Australia.

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