Valtteri Bottas labelled his dominant Australian Grand Prix victory as the best race of his career as he opened the 2019 Formula 1 season in emphatic fashion.
Bottas grabbed the lead from pole-sitting Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton into Turn 1 and from there was never threatened, as he cruised into the distance.
Bottas crossed the line over 20 seconds clear of Hamilton as he registered the most comfortable victory of his Formula 1 career, ending a drought that stretched back to the 2017 season finale.
Australian GP: Race Result | Championship Standings | Gallery
“The start was really good, it was definitively my best race ever,” said a delighted Bottas.
“I don’t know what happened – everything felt so good, I had everything under control and it was so good today. Truly enjoyable, and I’m going to enjoy today.
“In the beginning, it was all about managing the race and trying to build a gap.
“After five, six, seven laps I started to build the gap and I had a great feeling. I knew I could do it, I had done it before it was about being at my best level, at one in the car.
“The second stint… I don’t know. When you’re really on it, it feels kind of easy. In the end, it isn’t but that’s what you brain tells you.”
Bottas also became the first driver since 1959 to pick up an extra point for fastest lap, ensuring he departs Melbourne with an eight-point lead over Hamilton.
“I was definitively determined to get the fastest lap,” he said.
“It is a new rule for this year, so as a I had a really strong pace I wanted to go for it in the end. It’s always a bit risky with the old tyres but it worked.
“I’m so happy and cannot wait for the next race!”
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