Bottas: Montreal race showed 'light at the end of the tunnel'

©AlfaRomeo

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."

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2023 Canadian GP

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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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.