Valtteri Bottas conveyed his ‘annoyance’ at missing out on victory at Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix, as he finished runner-up for the sixth time this season.
Bottas, who has not triumphed since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April, started from third place and ran longer in the first stint, ensuring he emerged from the pit lane with fresher tyres than Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas gained on the two leaders and moved into second spot when team-mate Hamilton went wide at the first chicane, unleashing the Finn to reel in Leclerc.
Bottas remained within sight of Leclerc for the remaining laps but was unable to mount a sustained attack and came across the line eight-tenths behind the Ferrari driver.
“For sure we tried everything we could, as a team, and personally I was doing everything I could for the win,” said Bottas.
“For sure it’s annoying because it’s so close, finishing less than one second… But, at least, I tried everything I could, we did try.
“The tricky bit was that they were so quick on the straights and that required for us to be so close on the corners that it was not really possible to follow.
“I was also getting issues with front brakes locking up, for getting so close to the car ahead so… I was pushing hard.
“What can I say? I was just not good enough, but otherwise it was a good race, good fun and I really enjoyed it, fighting for the win. The pace was good enough, especially in the second stint.”
Bottas’ second place enabled him to reduce Hamilton’s advantage in the championship to 63 points.
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