P1 and P3 is a really good way for the Mercedes Formula one team to start the first race of the 2017 F1 season after a winter with so many changes. Under new regulations, there were no guarantees for the Brackley based squad and they were well aware that Ferrari were going to be very strong.
However, while the team may be happy with two cars in the top three, Valtteri Bottas is disappointed that he could only manage to set the third best time overall, mainly because he was unable to put a good lap together and secure a front row start alongside his new teammate and pole sitter, Lewis Hamilton.
“Third position is not ideal. I couldn't quite get a perfect lap in, so I'm not quite satisfied with the result,” he explained. “But what I'm really proud about is the team of people who built this car. I only saw a very small part of the preparation for this new era of Formula One - but it's really nice to see that all of the work has paid off. Tomorrow is the day that matters and my race starts have been quite strong, so hopefully we can keep that going. “
“Valtteri, he might be a little disappointed to miss out on P2 by just a few hundredths,”added team boss Toto Wolff. “But you cannot expect everything perfect on the first weekend. He improved with every run and there is still more to come, no doubt. Now we need to get our heads down, do the homework and see what tomorrow brings us. Whatever happens.”
