Wolff praises Bottas’s “10 out of 10” performance at F1 Turkish GP

Toto Wolff has praised Valtteri Bottas for his “10 out of 10” performance in Formula 1’s Turkish Grand Prix.

12 Oct 2021

Race winner Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates on the podium.
© xpbimages.com

Bottas dominated the race at Istanbul Park from pole position, winning by over 14 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

It was Bottas’ first F1 victory in over a year, continuing his strong run of form since his move to Alfa Romeo was announced ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

“It may not be his last this season because what he has delivered this weekend was just unbelievable,” Wolff said. “Started with an easiness from pole, pulled away, was the quickest man on track, best in terms of tyre management, always under control and scored fastest lap.

“This is a 10 out of 10 and can play a vital role in the constructors’ championship but also in supporting Lewis, because today, only Valtteri’s performance prevented Max to score eight more points.”

With Bottas taking the win in Turkey and Hamilton finishing fifth, Mercedes still extended its lead in the constructors’ championship despite Red Bull scoring a double-podium at Istanbul Park.

Wolff was thankful that Bottas was able to take crucial points off Verstappen in aid of Hamilton’s pursuit of a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title.

“I think in a normal dry race this would have probably been the best case, finishing fifth [with Hamilton],” Wolff added. “Today best-case, with every decision and the hindsight of the information we have at the end, probably third would have been the best we could have achieved.

“It’s a five-point swing, but I think we need to walk away from here and say that was damage limitation for this weekend and thank god Valtteri won the race and scored an extra point for fastest lap.”