Williams driver hopes to beat Kimi Raikkonen in Battle of the Finns
Saturday 6 June 2015 23:06, UK
Valtteri Bottas reckons he can take the fight to Kimi Raikkonen in the Canadian GP after qualifying fourth behind his fellow Finn.
Bottas helped put Williams back on track on Saturday after their disappointment in Monaco a fortnight ago, although there was more misfortune for team-mate Felipe Massa, who exited in the first qualifying session after his car lost power.
Two years ago, Bottas made the most of changeable weather conditions to qualify third at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before the shortcomings of the 2013 Williams in the dry saw him going backwards on race day.
If he is to reverse the trend on Sunday then he will have to overcome Raikkonen, whose P3 slot is his best of the season so far. But Bottas is confident he can do it.
“For me, being on the second row is a good place to start, and a good place to have to fight for the podium tomorrow,” he told Sky Sports F1.
Another potential problem for Bottas, in the shape of Sebastian Vettel, was eliminated after the former world champion's Ferrari developed engine problems.
Vettel could only set the 16th fastest time but will start at the back of the grid after he also picked up a five-place penalty for overtaking under red flags in final practice.
The Lotuses of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado line up directly behind Bottas, but the 25-year-old is confident he can hold them off.
Asked whether he thinks a top-three finish is possible, Bottas replied: "I think it is. Because now, obviously Sebastian is starting from the back, we expect Lotus should be a bit slower than us in race trim – at least we hope so – but we need to get everything right to be able to fight with Kimi.
“The best strategy will be take him at the start and go from there. But I really hope we have the race pace to fight for that.”
Raikkonen, meanwhile, has polesitter Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in his sights after the Mercedes drivers once again qualified 1-2.
“It was a bit better qualifying but we’re still only third and for the team, the other car had a problem, so it’s not ideal,” he said.
“But usually in the race we are a bit better off so at least we should be in a better position to go for the race. Let’s see what happens.”
