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That's why Bottas isn't worth a Mercedes seat

"That's why Bottas isn't worth a Mercedes seat"

06-09-2021 20:11 Last update: 20:53

GPblog.com

The race at Zandvoort last weekend was all about the different strategies of the teams. Mercedes tried to beat Max Verstappen, but he was ultimately too fast and Red Bull Racing's pitstops were sharp.

In the new episode of Crashing in the Kitchen for Dutch news site AD, Robert Doornbos talks about last weekend. "It was a beautiful strategic game because Red Bull countered Mercedes right away [after their pit stop]. Mercedes made a mistake by keeping Lewis' second stint so short. They really should have extended it. With his new tyres he could have continued much longer. Red Bull was just waiting for them to come in and then counter," Doornbos says.

Hamilton came close to Verstappen's car a few times, but it was just not enough to make an overtaking move. "Eventually Bottas made a mistake and Max hit straight away. Lewis was annoyed that he was so lucky with traffic. The traffic was in Max's favour, he said." Bottas' mistake may have cost Mercedes the win. "Therefore Bottas is not worthy of a Mercedes seat," Doornbos believes.

De Vries contract with Mercedes

He also discusses the second seat next to Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo. According to Doornbos Antonio Giovinazzi had a good weekend, but will it be Nyck de Vries? Should he go to Williams or Alfa Romeo, he will probably have to break the contract with Mercedes. "That's funny that Toto Wolff says that, because he places Ocon at Alpine and they had also said, tear up that contract. He didn't do that either," Doornbos said.