Mercedes team boss Wolff: "We know he can deliver those lap times"

Toto Wolff can be satisfied after the first two free practices in Portugal. Where Valtteri Bottas was the fastest during the first practice, Lewis Hamilton managed to take the second practice. The Mercedes team boss hopes for a good weekend.

The results were especially good for Bottas. The Finnish driver had a disappointing weekend in Imola, in which he struggled with the slippery road surface. He also collided with George Russell and both men had to leave the field. It earned Bottas a lot of criticism.

Wolff must therefore have looked with relief at the way Bottas presented himself in Portugal. With a first and third place finish, he showed himself in a positive light. "Valtteri did a great job of setting the lap times," Wolff told Motorsport-total.com. "Qualifying in Imola went badly for him, but we know he can deliver those lap times."

Mercedes need to perform well this weekend, as Max Verstappen is close behind the team. The Dutchman finished easily in second place twice and seems to have a good chance of a strong qualifying performance.