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Bottas on fastest lap: I was just playing around

Bottas on fastest lap: "I was just playing around"

05-09-2021 17:11
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Valtteri Bottas finished on the podium but never really challenged for victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. On the whole, he played a supportive role for Lewis Hamilton. However, at the end, he pinched the fastest lap point forcing the Brit to pit for a fresh set of tyres himself to win the point back. 

Team radio

On the radio, Mercedes told Bottas not to push after his soft tyre pit lap. After the team saw Bottas get purple sectors in one and two, they emphasised the message again. 

"I was pushing, but I knew that Lewis needed that one more point more than me because he is fighting for the World Championship. I was just playing around," Bottas told Sky Sports

Max Verstappen now has the lead in the Drivers World Championship. With Bottas' stronger performance compared to Sergio Perez, Mercedes remain ahead in the constructors championship.