Vettel: 'We lost the race at the start'

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Sebastian Vettel didn't win the Russian Grand Prix but he does hold the day's winner in high esteem after an intense late stage battle with Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas.

Ferrari's choice of pitting the German late looked like a winning strategy when Vettel consistently ate into Bottas' lead.

But in the end, the scheme fell short, although was perhaps also a bit hindered by a lapped Felipe Massa.

"I obviously tried everything to catch Valtteri and maybe I thought there might be some opportunity on the back straight?" Vettel said on the podium.

"I was sure he (Massa) would lift around turn 3, it's flat out but then I just wasn't sure what he was going to do and I ended up losing a bit more than I was hoping for.

"But it doesn't matter, this is the man of the race today, big congrats to Valtteri on his first GP win, so it's his day."

Brilliant start hands Valtteri Bottas maiden GP win

Vettel admitted that his extended run strategy, in order to work, would have required a mistake from Bottas.

"I had fresher tyres in the end, there was a gap to Kimi behind so I think we just decided to try extend as much as possible to hope for VB running into trouble, us having a clear track.

"That was the plan so I think we tried everything but obviously we lost the race at the start which was a bit of a shame."

Indeed, the Bottas' Mercedes rocketed off the line and tucked in right behind the Ferrari, blwoing past on the approach to Turn 3.

"Our start was probably a match with Valtteri," Vettel said.

"Maybe he gained a bit of momentum in the beginning but then he had a massive tow. I defended the inside but by the time we approached braking he was already in front and able to shut the door on me.

"So well done, that's where he won the race. And then he did a superb first stint, I couldn't stay with him he was very very quick all the race, no mistakes. So as I said, the man of the race."

Gallery: All the action from Sunday in Sochi

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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.