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Bottas, Mercedes, Styria

Bottas concedes "not much margin" in Perez battle after F1 podium return

Bottas, Mercedes, Styria — Photo: © LAT Images

Bottas concedes "not much margin" in Perez battle after F1 podium return

Bottas finished narrowly ahead of Perez in third

Valtteri Bottas believed Sergio Perez was too close for comfort in the closing stages of the Styrian Grand Prix as the Finn returned to the podium for the first time in four races.

On a one-stop strategy, the Finn faced a late-race challenge from Perez at the Red Bull Ring after the Mexican pitted for a second time.

With fresh medium tyres, the Red Bull driver rapidly closed the gap to Bottas but had to settle for fourth just half a second adrift.

"I think from where I started it was the maximum today and it's good," said Bottas, who had lined up fifth on the grid after serving a three-place penalty for his pit lane spin during Friday practice.

"A bit of damage limitation and a good thing that we get to do all this again next week.

"It was getting pretty close at the end and there was not much margin. I think it was the best thing they could try and it nearly worked but I'm glad we could defend [from] them.

"It's been a while [since] I have been on the podium so that is okay."

Although finishing over 45 seconds behind race-winner Max Verstappen, the Finn is confident for next week's race which also takes place at the Red Bull Ring given his early weekend pace provided some solace.

Looking ahead, he said simply: "No penalties, a good quali and then we go."

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