Valtteri Bottas says his run to P10 in last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix was a welcome result and "a bit of light at the end of the tunnel" after a dismal period for the Alfa Romeo driver.
Bottas had kicked off his 2023 campaign with a few points in Bahrain, but after F1's season opener the ten-time Grand Prix winner endured a painful drought due to his team's poor performance and to a few bad races.
However, in Canada, a feisty drive and a productive one stop strategy put Bottas in the mix for a spot among the top ten.
©AlfaRomeo
The Finn was initially beaten to the final point in Montreal by Aston Martin's Lance Stroll on the final lap of the race, but both drivers gained a spot in the final standings thanks to a five-second penalty handed to Lando Norris that relegated the McLaren driver to P13.
"I think it’s important for myself and the whole team because we can see again the progress we’ve made," said Bottas after the race.
"I think, again, this weekend in every session the car has been capable of a top 10, and it was the same [in the race], so it’s good to see.
"It just gives us a bit of hope and a kind of feeling that there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."
Alfa Romeo team representative Alessando Alunni Bravi was delighted to see the Swiss outfit score a top-ten finish for a second race in a row.
But the Italian says Alfa needs to improve its car's single-lap pace to ensure its drivers start higher up on the grid.
"We must be happy with the one point we scored with Valtteri, even though it’s always a bit bitter to lose one position with just metres to go," he said.
"Still, one point can make a fundamental difference at the end of the season, and we have now scored in two races in a row.
"We know Saturdays are where we need to focus our attention: a better qualifying position can allow us to a fight for higher places and, ultimately, more points.
"In terms of race pace, our cars seem to be better, so we know the C43 as an overall package can be competitive."
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