Bottas explains mistake: 'I braked a fraction too late'

Valtteri Bottas was on course for fifth place for a long time during the race in Miami, but made a crucial mistake at the end. It allowed Lewis Hamilton as well as George Russell to pass him. As a result, Bottas had to settle for seventh. In conversation with Motorsportweek.com he elaborated on the moment.

The Finnish driver has been showing what he is capable of this season with a string of good performances. The weekend in Miami also started positively for Bottas, who seems to be feeling good since his arrival at Alfa Romeo. Where qualifying went positively for him, one corner proved enough for Mercedes to pass him.

"As George was overtaking Lewis I was kind of following them in the mirrors as they were getting pretty close, whether I needed to close the door or something," Bottas explained. "I braked a fraction too late, mixed the apex in the corner a tiny bit, then I got to the dirty tarmac."

Prior to the moment, Bottas was still full of confidence to hold the fifth position. The difference with Ferrari running Red Bull Racing was already unbridgeable at the time, but staying ahead of Russell seemed achievable. Nevertheless, it still went wrong.