Russian Grand Prix – Valtteri Bottas believes that there will be little opportunity of anybody repeating his 2017 start due to track resurfacing works, which he believes will help whoever qualifies on the front row of the grid.
Last season, Bottas profited from a quick getaway and strong slipstreams to move from third on the grid into the race lead by turn two.
The Finn held the position until the chequered flag, taking his first Formula One win of his career.
The big overtaking opportunities on the first lap led to Bottas be asked if qualifying is less important at the Sochi Autodrom. However, he believed that the improved grip generated from a new track surface on the front row of the grid increased the importance of qualifying.
“It is a tricky one here. It’s an extremely long run into turn two, and last year I missed the pole by I think less than one tenth which, in the end, was maybe good because I got a nice tow. But you also need a good start for that,” said Bottas.
“I think still you’d like to be on pole position. If you look at the past, I think whoever got pole could keep the first place into turn two, so it is a tricky one.
“Now I think there’s a bit of resurfacing done which affects position one and two, and normally when there’s new tarmac it means more grip, so potentially you would like to be in the first two places.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Bottas declared his goal of taking pole position and winning the Russian Grand Prix.
“You never forget the first time [win]! It’s a track where I’ve had pretty decent races, so in that way it’s a nice approach to the weekend.
“No wins for me yet, but there’s still a bit of season left. I come here with only one thing in my mind; being on pole and winning the race.”
