Valtteri Bottas strategy was one where he ultimately had to try and somehow protect Lewis Hamilton’s lead at the top by shielding him from both the Ferrari cars.
He did that for quite some time in the race, driving on those worn out soft tyres, however, in the end it just proved to be too much of a challenge for him.
Bottas ultimately slipped to 5th, thanks to collision with Ricciardo and Vettel.
Wolff complimented Bottas on the perfect wingman role, one wherein he helped Lewis secure the win at Hungary by keeping both the Ferrari cars at bay.
Wolff called Bottas a “sensational wingman” after the race. Bottas didn’t appreciate that: “The word wingman hurts a bit.” Expects talks with Mercedes during the summer break about his role in the team after the gap to Lewis increased further.
— Tobi Grüner 🏁 (@tgruener) July 29, 2018
However, expectedly, Bottas wasn’t happy with the term wingman, something he made very clear to the Sky Sports reporter who presented the question to him.
Natalie: “Your boss has just called you a sensational wingman.”
Bottas: “Wingman hurts.”
📺 Sky Go: https://t.co/fxH1316WnM #SkyF1 #F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/pDWLddDec9— Sky Sports F1 🏎 (@SkySportsF1) July 29, 2018
Bottas has already signed a 1 year extension with Mercedes and will want to sit down with his team, look them in the eye and ask them if they wanted Bottas to play the supporting car role all through?
I am assuming on some level he already knows but he will need some clarity from his team, if he already doesn’t have it.
Of course Bottas wants to be out there racing for himself too, but will Mercedes allow him to?
