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Sebastian Vettel thinks that his chances of winning today's Grand Prix in Russia were taken away at the start of the race when Valtteri Bottas overtook him down into turn 2.
Vettel started the race from pole but failed to keep the Finn behind. After Bottas got ahead, he pulled out a five-second gap which Vettel couldn't close until the end of the race.
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"I think our start was probably a match with Valtteri," said Vettel. "Maybe he gained a bit of momentum at the beginning but he had a massive tow, I defended the inside but by the time we approached braking he was already in front and able to shut the door on me.
"So well done, and that's where he won the race, he did a superb first stint, I couldn't stay with him, he was very, very quick all race, no mistakes, so he was the man of the race."
Vettel came close to getting by his rival in the final few moments but was hindered on the very last lap as he could Felipe Massa around turn 3. Vettel almost made contact with the Brazilian but managed to get away unscathed, however, he had lost a lot of time.
"I tried everything to catch Valtteri, maybe I thought there'd be some opportunity on the back straight," he said. "I was sure Felipe would lift round Turn 3, it's flat out, [I thought] he'd let me by but I think I wasn't sure what he was going to do.
"I ended up losing a bit more than I was hoping for, it doesn't matter, this is the man of the race today, big congratulations to Valtteri, his first Grand Prix win, it's his day."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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