Bottas remains hopeful despite Ferrari front row: "Nothing is lost for us yet!"
F1 News
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Despite their rival team Ferrari locking out the front row in qualifying ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas remains hopeful for the race later-on today, with the Finn stating "nothing is lost yet" for the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes would win the constructors' championship at Suzuka if they finish at least 15 points ahead of Ferrari, which could be done by finishing one-two. However, it's the Scuderia who have gotten the one-two in qualifying, despite Mercedes looking the strongest team by far on Friday in practice.
Bottas managed to beat teammate Lewis Hamilton to P3 in qualifying under the very tricky conditions at Suzuka, and the 30-year-old remains hopeful a result can be obtained in the race later.
"We seemed quite strong, we always knew Ferrari had something in reserve to turn things up," the five-time Grand Prix winner told Damon Hill on the grid.
"In Q3, they were untouchable. We had a new package and it still felt better than before but not quite enough.
"We try to do everything we can, nothing is lost yet, they have the starting point, let's see what we can do. It always feels good to be ahead of a team-mate, we will do the maximum we can and see if we can get it done."