Like in Monaco in 2021
Between Valtteri Bottas and the pit stops the relationship has never been idyllic. Three years ago in Monte Carlo, during his last season as a Mercedes driver, the Finn was the very unfortunate protagonist of a stop lasting essentially 72 hourswith his mechanics failing to remove a tire due to a ruined nut which forced Lewis Hamilton's then teammate to raise the white flag on a weekend that could have seen him on the podium in the Principality GP.
Last Saturday, in Bahrain, the current driver of the Stake-Sauber team found himself at relive a similar scene. Starting 16th on the grid, Bottas had already seen his race compromised after just one corner, thanks to his involvement in the chain of contacts caused by Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll which caused damage to the front wing of his C44. However, the worst was yet to come.
Over 50 seconds of pit stops
In fact, during the race a problem occurred to one left front tire nut forced the #77 to an endless stop in the lay-by, timed in 52.4 seconds. An eternity that obviously destroyed Bottas' remaining hopes of being able to collect some points from the Sakhir race. The Finn could not help but take note of the unfortunate problem, inviting the team to learn from this incident so as not to repeat it in the future.
“There was a problem with the wheel nut – confirmed Bottas after the race to the official F1 channels – we need to investigate what happened to make sure it doesn't happen again. This is the main aspect we take away. I was also unlucky with the accident in Turn 1 – concluded the native of Nastola – I suffered a little damage to the front wing. I hope at least that my bad luck for this year is over.”.
#52second #pit #stop #Bahrain #Bottas
