Valtteri Bottas "will support" Lewis Hamilton if circumstance allows in Mexico

Bottas, Hamilton, Mercedes, Mexico — Photo: © LAT Images

Mexico City Grand Prix

Bottas "will support" Hamilton if circumstance allows in Mexico

Bottas starts from pole after a sensational qualifying

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Sunday 7 November 2021 09:30

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Valtteri Bottas has confirmed he will support Lewis Hamilton's F1 championship charge at the Mexico City Grand Prix should circumstances allow.

The Finn continued his impressive form since his departure from Mercedes at the end of the season was announced two months ago with a stunning pole lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, beating Hamilton by 0.145secs.

The Briton goes into the race 12 points behind Max Verstappen in the standings but with a strong chance to take points from the Red Bull driver at an event that had been earmarked for Red Bull domination in the build-up.

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Whilst Bottas is mathematically in with a chance of becoming champion, realistically he needs to play a supporting role to his team-mate in order to fend off Verstappen's challenge, a role he is prepared to take on.

"The first thing I need to focus on is the race start, do my best and speak with Lewis on how we can maintain the lead as a team and how we can keep the Red Bulls behind," said Bottas.

"Then we will see how the race situation will be. I still am 100 per cent sure that there could be a circumstance where I could still win the race, I believe in that and I hope for that.

"If not, then I will support Lewis and get the maximum points for the team."

Bottas "surprised" himself with pole lap

Red Bull had looked untouchable throughout practice with a six-tenths of a second advantage on Friday and a three-tenths plus cushion in FP3.

After spearheading Mercedes' first front-row lockout of the season, Bottas said: "I definitely surprised myself.

"Our performance as a team, we seemed to be a little bit off, especially on a single lap against Red Bull, so I would say the performance in Q3 was a bit of a surprise but it was a good lap.

"We managed to optimise the set-up since practice three and also everything with the tyre temperatures, out laps. We managed to get everything near perfection and that was the result, so obviously really rewarding."