Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsWilliams

Bottas puzzled by poor pace on medium tyres

Valtteri Bottas' hopes of holding his own against close rival Ferrari were foiled in todays China GP which the Williams driver finished down in a lackluster 10th place while team mate Felipe Massa ended up 6th.

Bottas' fifth place on the grid augured well for a good performance but in the end, the Williams' pace as it ran through its successive tyre strategies just declined.

"It was a disappointing race," lamented Bottas.

" I was blocked at the start because of the crash between the Ferraris and lost many positions. The beginning of the race was looking alright, the pace was pretty good on the soft tyres, but once I went on to the medium tyre the pace was not there and I was struggling with overall grip.

"We need to check and see if everything was alright with the car, but it was difficult out there today in the last stint."

Bottas admitted the Safety Car action, prompted by debris on the track, threw a spanner in the works with regard to Williams' strategies.

"Every plan was ruined because of the Safety Car. At the start I was a bit unlucky, because the crash of the Ferrari cost me quite a few places, but it was going OK until the last stint.

"Unfortunately it all changed for the last stint but I still don’t know why. With the medium compound tyres I just couldn’t keep up the pace and it got worst and worst, costing me a few places.

"We need to check why the car wasn’t so good with the Medium tyres on the last stint."

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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.