Wolff backs Bottas to recover after China blunder

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has offered a lenient view on Valtteri Bottas' disappointing China Grand Prix and his driver's rookie mistake.

Bottas launched his race form P3 on the grid and initially held his own. But after stopping for dry tyres, he spun behind the Safety Car, a mistake which sent him all the way down to 12th and compromised his afternoon.

"He threw it away behind the safety car," Wolff said.

"He just needs to recover from that now. It was very slippery out there and he lost it – and that's when the race was gone.

"[But] it's the second race of the season, there are 18 more – analyse and forget it."

Bottas takes the blame for botched race

Bottas admitted the mishap had been his own fault entirely, and one without which he would have undoubtedly fought for a spot on the podium.

"You could see during the race that he had the pace," Wolff added.

"He was doing Lewis's lap times at various stages, but once you're losing so many positions and you're not in the leading pack anymore, and you have to recover mentally, that is very difficult.

"He certainly has the character to recover from such a situation."

GALLERY: All the pictures from Sunday in Shanghai

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.