Lewis Hamilton scored his 70th career victory in Formula One – his eighth of the 2018 season and third at the Sochi Autodrom. But it was a bitter success after the team asked Valtteri Bottas to let him through during the race. The Finn finished the race in P2 – taking his 20th podium finish with Mercedes.
“Valtteri was an incredible gentleman. Honestly, it’s the strangest day I can remember having in the sport in my career. I remember, we have crossed this situation and discussion before. It’s always felt super uncomfortable, I was like ‘Look, I want to win the right way’, that’s always how it is for me. I would say ‘Look, as racing drivers we exist to win, and if you tell us we can’t win, it’s like you are taking our air away, our life away’. It’s that deep. I would never wish it upon anyone else and would never ask for it, ever. I made sure when we were in a meeting before, I was like ‘Just so you know, I’ve never gone to Toto [Wolff] and those guys, this is not how I want to win’”, Hamilton explained.
There are good teammates
And then there is @ValtteriBottas ??#RussianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/eHMXB11ur0
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
“Obviously, the team took the decision when they saw that my tyres were blistered and Vettel was charging from behind. There are stronger heads in the team who are like ‘We have to win, it’s all about the win. We have got to win both Championships, we don’t care who finishes ahead’.”
Hamilton: I would never wish it upon anyone else and would never ask for it, ever
“I think ultimately, it’s really important right this second to first acknowledge Valtteri, because as I said he was just the ultimate gentleman. It is very weird to feel down but we’ve also got to feel grateful to the guys back at the factory. So many people are working flat-out to make sure we have a 1-2 like this, the team have just done an incredible job this weekend. We have to really embrace the moment still, but it’s definitely a victory on my list of wins that I am least proud of.”
HAMILTON: “It’s actually quite a difficult day. Valtteri was a real gentleman to let me through. To have a one-two – usually we’d be elated. Valtteri deserved to win… but today it was a real team effort” #RussianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/RHSwKU0ZkK
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018
