Valtteri Bottas is targeting a podium finish in tomorrow’s Russian Grand Prix, after a strong qualifying performance from the Finn.
After ending proceedings third fastest and ahead of compatriot Kimi Raikkonen, Bottas will find himself alongside pole man Nico Rosberg on the grid for the race once Sebastian Vettel has served his grid penalty.
“I’m very pleased with our qualifying performance; it was the maximum result I think we could have achieved, and my lap in Q3 was very good,” explained an upbeat Bottas after qualifying.
“It now puts us in a very good position for the race and we need to focus on turning a good qualifying, into a good race performance.
“This is a track that I really like and normally do well at, and it’s a track that suits our car.
“The new parts we have introduced are helping us, so the team at the factory and track have done a good job in improving the car.
“We have some fast cars starting behind us which will make the race difficult, but a podium will be the target.”
Although Bottas will understandably be wary of the likes of Vettel and Lewis Hamilton behind him on the grid, there’s no denying the Finn could find himself side-by-side with Rosberg heading into Turn 2.
Throughout the first three races of the season both Hamilton and Rosberg have endured poor starts, allowing their rivals to gain considerable ground into the first corners.
Therefore Bottas could find himself in a position to gain the lead at the start from Rosberg, providing fellow Finn and former sparring partner Raikkonen doesn’t leapfrog both of them.
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