Valtteri Bottas encouraged by F1 Japanese GP pace while pit stop issues persists, as he felt good to be close to Yuki Tsunoda.
So far in the 2024 season, the pit stop problem has been persistent in the four races for Stake F1 Team. They have acknowledged the issue but it will take time to solve. In the meantime, they have shown glimpses of pace in all of the races.
The Japanese GP was same where Bottas seemed to have better pace, even on Sunday. He was with the pack until a slow stop which put him with several other cars where his advantage was gone and he was left fighting at the back of the train.
Bottas felt encouraged by race pace and to be close to Visa Cash App RB’s Tsunoda at one point. “Honestly, it was a positive day in terms of the overall pace, we did stop quite early on the second stop and actually at the same time as a lot of the others,” he said. “Unfortunately we ended up behind all the cars that were racing, so, basically, for the rest of the race I was stuck behind Kevin.
“He had really, really good top speed, so I couldn’t find a way around him. I think the pace was better than what the result is. It’s not an easy track to overtake, especially as Haas seemed really fast on the straights. Based on the first half of the race, it was a really positive race for us until the second stop.
“I’m questioning a bit the timing of that stop, with everybody else, as we know that we are still not at 100% with the pit stops, so, unfortunately, an issue happened, and we were, again, at the back of the train. I think we should have been with Yuki without the issue in the second pit stop. It’s a shame,” summed up Bottas, who feel good for China.
“It’s definitively been a step forward, and for sure it’s going to help us in China as well,” continued Bottas. “It’s also a track with a lot of high-speed content. I think, pace-wise, we should have been around tenth today, which is positive and gives us encouragement going into China.”
Here’s Stake F1 Team testing in Suzuka
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