F1: Silver Arrows focusing on France return after Bottas podium

Jun 112018

In just under a fortnight the French Grand Prix returns after a decade hiatus from F1 - and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team can’t wait. After a disappointing result in Monaco, the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal served up just a single Podium for the Silver Arrows – with Valtteri in third position - as Sebastian Vettel's victory saw the German leapfrog Lewis Hamilton at the top of the drivers' championship. Valtteri Bottas' second place in Canada was scant consolation, as Hamilton came home in fifth place having nursed home his F1 W09 EQ Power+ with an ailing power unit.

Engine demands are crucial in F1 and this season, teams have been limited to just three power-units over a season, one fewer than in 2017. The Silver Arrows had hoped to run a new engine in Montreal but decided to delay it for a race due to a quality issue. That means it will be bolted into the back of Lewis and Valtteri's cars in time for the French GP at Circuit Paul Ricard.

2018 images from the Canadian Grand Prix

Lewis, who combated rising engine temperatures in Canada, cannot wait to get the new power-unit installed, and says he will be going all out to put pressure on Vettel in the hope that Ferrari will make a mistake. Lewis said: "I was on the edge waiting for that power to drop away and disappear. But the engine kept on going. This was the seventh race on this engine, so it's seen it's like and I could have lost a lot more points.

"We all know that Ferrari have had a better package and done a better job all round, we have got to do more and keep on working and stay positive. There is no reason to lose control or anything like that. We have to keep our heads down and stay motivated because Ferrari will falter. We have to keep on applying the pressure to make sure I come back stronger in the next race."

Valtteri's second place means he moves above Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo into third place in the drivers' championship, yet the Finn admitted he did not have enough in the tank to challenge Vettel for the win.

Valtteri said: "Since lap one, Ferrari seemed to be a bit quicker all the time and they could control the race. We were really pushing on it but we got in trouble at the end with running out of fuel. I think this was the maximum. Second place as a driver when you really want to win races is not the best place to be. Our car is just not quick enough, so I don't get too upset being second but no doubt I really want to win."

Valtteri has been desperately unlucky this season and is due a change in fortune at the French Grand Prix on 24th June. He added: "There has been many occasions this year that it has been pretty close, so for sure we'll keep pushing on that -- but as a team we need to improve, and also for myself, trying to find every single little bit I can."