Hamilton won't give race win to Bottas

  • Published on 09 Nov 2018 10:38
  • comments 3
  • By: Matthew Gretton

Lewis Hamilton says he won't hand over victory to Valtteri Bottas should he get the chance to do so on Sunday. Bottas has played an important role in making his teammate champion in 2018, including when he let the Brit overtake in Russia. 

Hamilton has already won the driver's title, but Mercedes still have work to do in the constructor's championship. The team have told Hamilton they're not going to make the call to swap over should he be in the lead. 

“The team are not going to make that call. If I’m in the position, it’s not something I’ve asked Valtteri if he’d want that, but I don’t think he’s going to want that," Hamilton said. 

"He’s going to want to win in his own way. So I don’t know if I’d be doing him many favours in the sense of giving him a win, I don’t think he needs that anyways, I think he can do it himself. All I can do is try to make sure I’m supportive throughout the process, throughout the weekend."

Bottas spoke about the issue and agreed. In Russia, the Finn claimed he understood why he had to give up the race win and said he would like the same to happen if it was the other way around. 

Bottas is yet to win a Grand Prix in 2018 despite having good chances. In Baku, he picked up a puncture and his pole in Austria followed by a mechanical retirement. Speaking this week, he says he would like to win on merit.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to win by being given (it); I want to win by winning the race myself. Coming here, knowing that for me there is a possibility to win the race, that’s obviously a good feeling,” Bottas said.

xoya

Posts: 583

He shouldn't have taken his then.
If F1 is a team sport, there should be no competition between teammates and a "gift" victory should be a victory no matter how you look at it.
Problem is that, deep down, we all know F1 being a team sport is BS.

  • 2
  • Nov 9 2018 - 14:31

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • xoya

    Posts: 583

    He shouldn't have taken his then.
    If F1 is a team sport, there should be no competition between teammates and a "gift" victory should be a victory no matter how you look at it.
    Problem is that, deep down, we all know F1 being a team sport is BS.

    • + 2
    • Nov 9 2018 - 14:31
    • well it's very much a team sport until a driver decides to disobey team order

      • + 0
      • Nov 9 2018 - 18:19
    • Yeah I still cant believe what they actually DID(!) to Bottas...

      • + 0
      • Nov 10 2018 - 17:54

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar