Bottas ready to settle unfinished business in Baku

Valtteri Bottas says he is ready to make amends in Azerbaijan after his heartbreaking puncture in the closing laps of the 2018 race.

Having dealt with the threat of Sebastian Vettel and holding off teammate Lewis Hamilton behind him, Bottas suffered a puncture on the penultimate lap, ending his race in the process having looked nailed on for the race victory.

Ahead of the 2019 race, Bottas says he is ready to take the top step in Baku and show that he is a serious championship contender this season.

“I’m just disappointed I didn’t win because obviously when you start from pole there’s only one goal for the race,” Bottas said.

"Being in the front I could have done the job," he insisted. “I know myself, but it was all about the start, so that’s why it was disappointing."

“For sure I would prefer to still be leading but that’s the situation now," he said. “That’s life, that’s how it goes sometimes, but it’s early in the season and I’m only a few points behind in the championship.

"If I keep performing well I can turn it around, so that’s going to be the goal for Baku.”