Valtteri Bottas was delighted with the performance of the Williams team at the Canadian Grand Prix as he claimed his and the team’s first podium of 2016.
The Finnish driver came third, albeit 46.4 seconds behind the winner Lewis Hamilton, from seventh on the grid. It is an identical finishing position to last year’s race, where he also claimed his first podium of the season in third, and his ninth podium finish in the sport overall.
He was delighted with the accolade with the team having had a slightly tougher start to the year compared to the previous season and hopes it will bring optimism for them to claim some more results.
“I’m very happy with what we achieved as a team today,” Bottas said.
“It’s a shame with what happened to Felipe [retiring from the race with a power unit problem], but this gives us a big motivation boost for the next few races. I think today shows that we are a strong team who can deliver good results.”
Bottas was also pleased with the team having the fastest pit stop of the race for the seventh time this season, a 2.11 second time being his fastest of the season so far, and having a good strategy in the race.
“Our strategy was great and our pit stop was really good, yet again. It was definitely one of my best races. I’m really pleased with today and looking forward to the next race.”
Bottas moves seven points ahead of teammate Massa and into seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship after the race, while Williams have extended their lead over fifth place Force India to 39 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
