Valtteri Bottas believes Mercedes is in a league of its own after crushing the opposition in qualifying for Formula 1’s return to racing in Austria.
Lewis Hamilton had dominated practice by finishing at the top of the timesheet in all three sessions in an empty Red Bull Ring, but it was Bottas who had the last word when it mattered most in one lap.
The Finn beat the six-time F1 champion by just 0.012 seconds, setting a new lap record in the 02.939s minute process, for his third pole in four years on the track, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in half a year. second back to third in his Red Bull.
“It feels really good,” said Bottas. “I’ve missed these feelings: the qualifying tremors. It’s kind of special when you push the car to the limit.”
“I’ve been preparing for this for a long time and it feels so good. I can’t say more than that, and our team, oh, amazing work. It seems like we’re in our own league.”
“I really enjoyed it, and for me, the qualifying session, I finally managed to unlock some performance from myself and the car. I managed to get the confidence, put some good laps and the pieces together.”
Given the gap with Verstappen, who at least offers one variable for the race, as he is the only driver in the top 10 to start on the medium tire, Bottas added: “It is very impressive to see him. I am amazed. It shows the incredible strength of this team.
There was an eerie moment for Bottas in his second race in Q3 when he raced wide at Turn Four and into the gravel, admitting it was “my mistake.”
He said, “It wasn’t entirely perfect, but he was very close with Lewis. I’m glad he was good enough.”
Before you leave…
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