Valtteri Bottas says Mercedes couldn’t run at maximum performance throughout the Austrian Grand Prix due to overheating concerns with its engine which denied it use of its best power modes and forced him into an economy drive. The Finnish driver claimed the final step on the podium as Mercedes was finally beaten in 2019, failing to win an F1 race for the first time since last year’s Mexican Grand Prix, but Bottas was able to cut into Lewis Hamilton’s championship lead with the British driver down in fifth place. Bottas says his team were powerless to stop Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen from charging ahead during the Austrian race as he had to settle for...
Full Story »