Bottas knows "it can be important" for championship to get fastest lap bonus point

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has said that he is very aware of how important grabbing the extra points is for the fastest lap, as the Finn currently the championship solely because of his bonus point in Australia.

It's been the most successful start of a year ever for a constructor this season, with Mercedes getting a one-two in all four Grands Prix so far. Bottas and teammate Lewis Hamilton have won two Grands Prix each, but Bottas leads the championship as he took the bonus point in Australia for having the fastest lap.

Because this is the case, the 29-year-old explains he is very aware of the importance of grabbing that point when necessary.

"With one point from Melbourne, I'm leading the championship, so it can be important, of course, if there's a chance, we'll try, of course," the championship leader told Motorsport-Total.

"It will be important, but it is also about risk assessment."

Bottas had the fastest lap in Baku too, until a late pitstop from Charles Leclerc saw him get on fresh softs and obliterate the fastest lap. However, Bottas reveals he wasn't trying to have the fastest lap, as he was focussing on his battle with Hamilton.

"I just saw Lewis close the gap, so I've raised my pace too."