Bottas explains Mercedes' 'detailed preparation' ahead of F1's sprint race debut

Valtteri Bottas has revealed that Mercedes changed its approach in terms of preparation in the simulator for this weekend’s British Grand Prix because of Formula 1's new sprint qualifying format.

Connor McDonagh

15 Jul 2021

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1.
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F1 will trial sprint qualifying for the first time at Silverstone with a 100km race on Saturday afternoon taking place to determine the grid for Sunday’s main event.

The new format means there is just one practice session ahead of qualifying on Friday, giving teams limited time to get their cars prepared.

Ahead of the race at Silverstone, Bottas says Mercedes did a “detailed preparation” in terms of car setup in the lead up to the weekend due to the change in format.

“Slightly, it’s a bit more crucial in terms of the setup of the car, as we only have one session to find the setup and then we’re stuck with it for the rest of the weekend,” Bottas said.

“Both Lewis and I were in the simulator earlier this week, trying different approaches. I think now we have a pretty good understanding, in theory, on how we should start the weekend, in terms of setup. I would say we took a bit more of a detailed preparation, in terms of setup itself than in other weekends because we won’t have three free practice sessions to find the best balance.”

Mercedes has historically fared well at Silverstone, winning seven of the last nine races at the British venue.

It is also bringing its first substantial upgrade of the season to this weekend’s race, but Bottas has played down the significance of it.

“I can’t put a precise number, it’s nothing huge but it’s nothing small either. We’ll see, obviously tomorrow we’ll find out how fast the car is on single-lap pace,” Bottas added. “I feel like this year it’s for sure a bit different, Red Bull has been quick everywhere, no matter which track, so far, this year.

“So, we’re definitely not expecting to come here and to be suddenly on top, but of course we’d like to think that we’re, hopefully, in better form than in Austria. We have some new bits in the car that, hopefully, will bring us closer to Red Bull, but I don’t think we’re going to be on pole by one second, like last year, but I hope we can fight for the pole.”