Bottas 'hungry' to taste victory again in Austria

Valtteri Bottas clearly loves driving at the Red Bull Ring, after putting in a magnificent lap in the final round of qualifying to take a brilliant pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix.

It's a repeat of his success in 2017, when he claimed his second-ever F1 career pole for last year's race.

Bottas went to the top of the timesheets with his first Q3 run. It looked good enough to secure pole, but his team mate Lewis Hamilton was able to beat that provisional pole time in the final moments of the session.

Fortunately by the time that happened, Bottas had managed to move the goal posts a little further - and just out of Hamilton's reach.

"The car felt so good," the Finn said afterwards. "In the last run I knew there was still a tenth or so to improve over the first run. Managed to find it - and apparently I needed it!

"The whole weekend we've been making good progress with the setup," he continued. "We had the new bits this weekend for the car, and there's been some work getting the car well-balanced with those, and finally we did."

Bottas went on to convert pole here to a race victory, after a touch-and-go start. He wants the same outcome tomorrow - preferably without the high drama of the start line.

"Just need a good, clean start," he said. "Nothing amazing - no need to be a hero in turn 1 - and then go for it.

"I can guarantee I'm more hungry for the win than anyone on the grid now, so I'm really ready for it."

• Bottas back on pole in Austria ahead of Hamilton and Vettel

Bottas is currently waiting to hear whether he will be staying at Brackley for another season after the end of 2018. Judging from the glowing comments from his team bosses, it's looking very promising.

"Very pleased, he did a tremendous job over the weekend," Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sports F1

"He was very pleased with the car and just delivered," he continued. "Both laps were spectacular so I'm really happy for him.

"I think there is certainly drivers like some tracks and dislike others, and this one seems to suit him.

"We know that the track has been good to us in the past. We've obviously brought an upgrade to the car and introduced a new engine in Le Castellet and then in Q3 we've ignited the bomb in the rear in the car and it was good enough."

Asked whether it would have any bearing on the team's decision about its 2019 driver line-up, Wolff suggested that it could already be a done deal.

"He doesn't need any help in his cause. He's been doing a good job. We know exactly what he's able to deliver," Wolff said. "He's been on it for a while now, many good races and many good performances. So far I think he's constantly developing and that is good to see."

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda had been reported in Austrian media that Bottas was already signed up for next season, but didn't repeat that assertion on Sky Sports F1. But he too was delighted with the driver's performance today.

"The track here, it's so close - thank God it turned out well for us. [Bottas] did a very good job here because he's quick here. But Lewis very close. 1-2 - couldn't be any better.

"That's what we have to do if we want to stay in the lead."

When asked by the interviewer whether today's pole meant that Mercedes should keep Bottas for a third season, Lauda replied: "We're trying to!"

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