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Bottas: "It's amazing that I haven’t won a race this year"

15:45, 08 Sep 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Valtteri Bottas summed up his season as a disappointment thus far having failed to win a single race this year. The Finn has very much been a peripheral figure in this year's championship, playing back-up for teammate Lewis Hamilton for much of the season.

Speaking to Motorsport.com ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Bottas admitted that he couldn't quite believe he hadn't won a race yet in a car that is fully in the championship fight with Ferrari.

“For me, it’s quite disappointing and amazing that I haven’t won a race this year. It’s been quite close many times, especially in the first third of the season.

"I really want to win races, that’s why I’m here.

“I don’t think the only way the next few races is that Lewis is secure in the title. If I have a good pace, a good qualifying, I’m strong in the race, I think I can definitely win - but for sure it’s a bit more simple if Lewis secures the title.

“I don’t really want to think about it too much. As long as I perform well, then hopefully I will get the results I deserve.”

Bottas came very close to winning in Baku earlier this year, a puncture in the final few laps prevented him from finishing a race he thoroughly deserved to win. Bottas however hasn't given up yet despite tracks upcoming that might not suit Mercedes as much as Ferrari.

“You never know. You saw what happened last year! It’s racing, and we go there with the mindset that anything can happen. Hopefully we can be more competitive there than we were last year, compared to other teams. It is tricky at the moment.

“The Ferrari is quick everywhere. Red Bull will be quick in Singapore. For us, we don’t really know how competitive we are going to be, but we are going to go there, try to get more points than Ferrari.”