Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, who was caught in points, had to be suspended when there were about 13 laps left in the Saudi Arabia race.
Mika Halonen,
Joska Saarinen
Finland’s Valtteri Bottas’ competition in Saudi Arabia ended in technical problems. Bottas ’Alfa Romeo coagulated with about 13 laps left in the race.
Bottas was still in the depot a moment before the interruption, but the depot stop was not the solution to the problem.
The interruption was a disappointment for Alfa Romeo’s Finnish driver, who was fighting for points. Bottas could have driven up to sixth place if he had succeeded.
– The temperatures in the machine started to rise a little quietly, then suddenly a lot. At the depot, it was considered if there was anything rubbish or the like in the cooling system. There was nothing. It was continued, but the heat just went up. I then interrupted so as not to lose the engine because of it, Bottas described.
Viaplay’s F1 studio speculated whether the interruption to Bottas was perhaps due to the car’s radiator breaking down.
– The pace was similar to that in Bahrain. That’s a good omen. It is good to move on from this. Points are still coming.
Bottas was sixth in the opening race of the season in Bahrain. Bottas was asked if the strong momentum of the early season had surprised.
– Somewhat. This was the starting point for the season in my opinion, this would be the best case scenario. The garage has been working with this car for a long time, so it needs to be visible somewhere, and it’s good that it is visible.
Red Bullin Max Verstappen won the Saudi gp. Ferrarin Charles Leclerc was another and Carlos Sainz third.
Leclerc leads the World Series. Bottas is ninth in the World Series with eight points. The season continues in Australia from 8-10. April.