Breaking news
Formula 1 Bahrain GP
Plastic bag on front wing hindered Bottas in Bahrain GP
Formula 1 championship leader Valtteri Bottas has revealed a plastic bag getting stuck in his front wing contributed to a “super difficult” Bahrain Grand Prix.
Scott Mitchell
Published: Apr 1, 2019, 10:20 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Bottas inherited second place to complete a shock Mercedes one-two in Bahrain, where Ferrari had dominated before its race imploded with a spin for Sebastian Vettel and an engine cylinder problem for Charles Leclerc.
However, Bottas admitted he struggled for pace after slipping back from a superb first lap that launched him from fourth to second, as he immediately dropped back behind Leclerc and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.
“I think the wind caught me up a bit, I braked a bit too late into Turn 1, trying to keep my position, and I lost two places,” Bottas said.
“Ferrari, ultimately, was very, very strong again. During the times with the wind I ended up doing some mistakes, like I think some other drivers did as well.
“It was extremely difficult to keep the rhythm.
“I managed to save the engine at some point when there was no threat from behind and a big gap in front.
“Also, I had a plastic bag stuck on my front wing at some point, which was costing performance, so not the perfect race.”
Bottas has started the season with a win and second place, and he said he would “definitely take” his fortunate podium in Bahrain after his misfortunes in 2018.
He also pointed to the value of the fastest lap he scored on his way to winning the Australian Grand Prix season opener, which is currently the difference between himself and Hamilton at the top of the championship.
“They are points that will count at the end of the championship,” he said.
“Obviously, now, at this point, it doesn’t matter much but what matters is at the end of the championship and we’ve seen many championships finishing with very small margins.
“[In Bahrain] it was a bit out of reach with the strong pace of Ferrari, they got it, but while there is this opportunity it’s going to be important.
“Anyway, even though it felt a super-difficult race, I’m happy to be getting this amount of points, because in the end, consistency is going to be the key.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Verstappen "didn't have a single lap" where car handled well
Next article Debate: Is Charles Leclerc the man to lead Ferrari?
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Cadillac’s F1 brakes are still a problem: ‘I had to lift and coast on lap two’
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Cadillac’s F1 brakes are still a problem: ‘I had to lift and coast on lap two’
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
Formula 1
Canadian GP
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
More from
Mercedes
Toto Wolff reveals he is actively vetting “two or three people” to replace him at Mercedes
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
6 h
Toto Wolff reveals he is actively vetting “two or three people” to replace him at Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli delivers Austin surprise pole in tricky Mercedes: "Finally we're seeing the results"
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
21 h
Kimi Antonelli delivers Austin surprise pole in tricky Mercedes: "Finally we're seeing the results"
Latest news
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli fighting for lead
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli fighting for lead
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
4 h
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
5 h
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
5 h
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe