70th Anniversary Grand Prix: Valtteri Bottas laments Mercedes tyre blistering as Verstappen wins at Silverstone

70th Anniversary Grand Prix

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Bottas laments Mercedes tyre blistering as Verstappen wins at Silverstone

The Silver Arrows finished second and third to Max Verstappen

Martin Macdonald

Sunday 9 August 2020 17:11 Updated: 17:29

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Valtteri Bottas believes a combination of strategy and tyre blistering cost Mercedes at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Finn finished fastest in qualifying on Saturday ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, but from an early stage on Sunday it became evident the Mercedes drivers were struggling on their medium tyres

Severe blistering forced both Silver Arrows cars to pit early, gifting race winner Verstappen a lead he would not surrender.

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The Finn said: “[It's] Frustrating for us. My strategy was far, far from ideal. Lots to learn from today I think.

“It was an opportunity to keep up with Max. As soon as I started to push towards the end the tyres just fell apart.

“Also, blistering in the tyres for us today, and it seems Red Bull had none so they had an edge.

“Tyres just overheat. It's basically boiling, you get holes in the tyre, and then you just lose grip. You just lose cornering grip.”

The result was significant in the F1 championship standings, with Verstappen leapfrogging Bottas into second behind Hamilton.

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