Bottas 'lost' race with wheelspin on finish

Mercedes Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas blamed the painted start/finish line for causing the wheelspin that cost him a shot of victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Polesitter Bottas made a good initial getaway, but wheelspin during the acceleration phase cost him valuable momentum and allowed Lewis Hamilton to sneak ahead on the run to the first corner.

Trapped in Hamilton's dirty air without a big pace advantage, Bottas was unable to challenge his team-mate and he finished the race in second.

Speaking after the race, Bottas said the start had defined his afternoon, as he explained why his getaway was not as good.

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"I think I lost it in the start, honestly," said Bottas.

"Otherwise the car was feeling OK and the pace was similar. But in the first stint, in the dirty air, I couldn't follow.

"It was a shame about the start. I got some wheelspin as I went over the white line, the start/finish line, which is immediately after my [grid] box, so I lost it there."

Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) - GP of China 2019

Image credit: Getty Images

Despite his own disappointment, Bottas said Mercedes could be "really proud" of its start to the season, after claiming its third consecutive one-two finish.

"It is small details [that cost Bottas] but it is early days in the season, things are looking good," he added.

"I am really proud for the team we've done three perfect weekends so far that is very good."

Hamilton agreed with Bottas that the start made all the difference in the result.

"The start was really where I was able to make the difference and after that it was history," he said.

"It has not been a straightforward weekend but what a fantastic result for the team. Everyone has worked so hard.

"We came here and didn't know where we would stand against the Ferraris, as they were so quick in the last race."

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