Wolff: 'Bottas was a bit brutal in the first two sectors'

Toto Wolff says Valtteri Bottas understands the call when he was not allowed to go for the fastest lap. According to the Mercedes team boss, the championship is too important and every point counts. He also says other circuits will look to Zandvoort to raise their own level.

"No I think we should congratulate these guys," Wolff pointed to Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner at Ziggo Sport. "They fought with one car against two. 50% of the work was done yesterday during qualifying. Max [Verstappen] had a great start and he had the pace. Everywhere we had the undercut once, but we got it wrong."

Bottas got to the end and call from the team not to go for the fastest lap. "He has to understand. He was a bit brutal in the first two sectors, but he lost about a second and a half in the last sector. I think that's where we got away. The championship is so important and every point counts. Sometimes you have to make these unpleasant calls. I don't think we had any other choice," says Wolff.

Wolff concluded by expressing his praise for the whole event at Zandvoort: "First of all, what you guys have built here is a totally new benchmark in terms of fan involvement. I think the other circuits will look at it and start thinking how they can raise the level. Monza is already close and we want the trophy back."