Team orders could end Bottas 2018 win hopes
Sep.30 - Valtteri Bottas could be asked to give up the race win at Sochi to help championship leader Lewis Hamilton tighten his grip on the 2018 title.
Finn Bottas is on pole in Russia, but with Sebastian Vettel behind them both in the fast Ferrari, Mercedes team tactics are arguably wise.
"If you start from pole, you want to win the race," Bottas said after qualifying.
"But of course we are here as a team to fight for both titles," he is quoted by Bild.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff regretfully admitted that team orders must be a consideration.
"It would be rather difficult to tell him after putting the thing on pole and he cannot race. But we are not in the phase of the season where as Mercedes we can simply drive against each other.
"As much as I hate that as a racing fan, we have to be realistic," Wolff added.
"We will have the meeting before the race and then see how it develops in the race," he said. "Lewis doesn't want it because he wants to do it for himself, and Valtteri doesn't want it because he needs this victory.
"We will discuss it and come to a solution," said Wolff.
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
Yeah, we didn't miss it...
First you say that Bottas has to win races, and when he has the opportunity, then it will be taken from him, I always thought Mercedes didn't do anything like this, but with your "command" of not "racing" in Germany, and now this, the slowest turn 3 all weekend, so now you have reached as far down as Ferrari have, in terms of team orders... :-(
And also think of all the Mercedes fans who had made big bets on Bottas to win the race, I don't think they're are very happy with Mercedes anymore... ;-)
Yeah, we didn't miss it...
But I did a typo in the first one, so here is it in version 2.0 :-) :-)
First you say that Bottas has to win races, and when he has the opportunity, then it will be taken from him, I always thought Mercedes didn't do anything like this, but with your "command" of not "racing" in Germany, and now this, the slowest turn 13 all weekend, so now you have reached as far down as Ferrari have, in terms of team orders... :-(
And also think of all the Mercedes fans who had made big bets on Bottas to win the race, I don't think they're are very happy with Mercedes anymore... ;-)
Yeah, first you say that Bottas has to win races, and when he has the opportunity, then it will be taken from him, I always thought Mercedes didn't do anything like this, but with your "command" of not "racing" in Germany, and now this, the slowest turn 13 all weekend, so by my calculation you have now reached as far down as Ferrari is, in terms of team orders... :-(
And also you don't give a f*ck about people who had made big bets on Bottas to win the race, I don't think they are very happy Mercedes fans anymore... ;-)
I think Bottas could have won at least 2 races beating Hamilton before the Russian GP but since Lewis is favourite with Mercs. Bottas was only used as means to keep Vettel behind so Hamilton could gain extra points in the title fight.Perhaps DNF for Lewis in next race or two might be justified.Vettel would like it.
You don’t give up with your love gush for Seb and your hatred for Lewis do you? For the record that’s the first time Mercedes have played the team order card and frankly do you honestly believe Ferrari wouldn’t have done it for Seb if Kimi had been in a similar situation. Even Seb said it was a no brainer, so try and get over yourself and stop blindly following one driver. If you take the time to realise that there are a few outstanding drivers on the grid, who all are human and so make mistakes and do lots and lots very well. Personally speaking I like Vettels character, he seems an intelligent, funny and he is a top driver but is he the best this year, or even last year.....no he isn’t because Lewis has simply been more complete. Not perfect but a lot nearer to it than Seb or Max. If you don’t believe me take a look at any of the newspapers in this country or even in Italy where they are saying exactly that. The pundits too say the same thing no matter which channel you watch your F1 on. Don’t be so biased it does you little credit. When the other guy drives well try a bit of balance and you’ll enjoy your F1 a little more.
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.