Bottas happy with Hamilton return: "Nice to see him healthy and back"

Bottas is the fastest man on track after Friday in Abu Dhabi. After a number of disappointing weekends, he will hope to end the season well. In any case, the first step has been taken.

Car feels good

The Finn is satisfied after the first free practice sessions. "It was good. Immediately the car felt pretty good. Still as always work to do on the balance,” Bottas told Sky Sports F1. The balance of the car is therefore still being worked on. "The main issue is really getting the balance together through the lap. Some corners I am struggling with the front end and some corners with the rear end but it's not far off as the time shows."

Many drivers have a hard time with the soft tyre, including Bottas. "It was tricky I didn't get the softs into the window today. On my opening lap I started the lap and didn't have grip. I think they were below the temperature window and then the following lap they were overheating massively. Still work to do there. The medium seemed better"

Hamilton back again

After a weekend in Bahrain working with George Russell as a teammate, his trusted Mercedes partner Lewis Hamilton is back. "Nice to see him healthy and back. It was not that mild, so nice to see him back."