Valtteri Bottas was largely robbed off a grand prix win when Mercedes decided to impose team orders, with Vettel breathing down the neck of Hamilton.
Bottas was informed that the team orders needed to be imposed as Hamilton was experiencing slight blistering and because Vettel was putting a lot of pressure on him.
The team orders was probably the highlight of the weekend, one thing that has dominated headlines all over.
Bottas was visibly upset after the grand prix about the entire incident. He voiced concerns but was happy to sacrifice a race win for his team, as he wasn’t in contention for the driver’s championship.
And while Bottas maintained a calm demeanour throughout the post race rituals, it was exactly right after the race that he did actually vent out his anger.
Check out the video:
Bottas frustration after Russian GP Sochi 2018 pic.twitter.com/bHijlKBM2C
— auto-web.pl (@auto_web_pl) October 2, 2018
Hamilton and Mercedes did offer their condolences to Bottas after the race, with the duo admitting that it wasn’t something that they wanted, but one of those things that needed to be done in order to be safe in the title race.
Hamilton was thankful to Bottas for being the perfect team man and understanding the importance of the sacrifice. He also conceded that he would be returning the favour in the races to come.
BOTTAS: “A difficult day. A good result as a team but personally as everyone saw it was quite difficult. Lewis is fighting for the championship so we always have a plan, but it is what it is” #RussianGP 🇷🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3k7kgmSKIV
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
Have to feel for Bottas. Has done everything right today. Quite sure Hamilton will return the favour later in the season #F1 #RussianGP
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) September 30, 2018
Bottas would surely be grieved by what transpired on Sunday, but would be hoping he can put in another good shift for the team this weekend in Japan.
