Bahrain GP: Race of mixed fortunes for Williams Martini


By Williams Martini Racing
April 20 2015

The 2015 Bahrain GP would be a race of mixed fortunes for the Williams Martini team with Valtteri Bottas finishing 4th while team-mate Felipe Massa would finish 10th having being forced to start from the pit lane after a sensor issue. Felipe would also have to struggle with a damaged car after being hit in the rear in the early stages of the race. It was still a great effort from both drivers in particular Felipe who fought back to secure that final point.

 
 Williams Martini Bahrain GP Race Review
 
Bottas
 
Race Notes
•  Valtteri Bottas finished fourth and Felipe Massa tenth in today’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
• After a sensor issue on the final fire up caused Felipe’s power unit not to start he was forced to start from the pitlane.
• Felipe fought his way back up to eighth but, struggling for pace due to damage sustained after being hit in the early stages, he dropped back to tenth in the final laps.
• Valtteri made a clean getaway from the grid and after holding P5 for the majority of the race, he was able to capitalise on Sebastian Vettel’s unplanned pitstop for a new front wing, holding off the Ferrari successfully for 17 laps to take fourth.
Massa 
Felipe Massa:
"It was a frustrating day for me to have to start from the pitlane. The car struggled to fire-up and once under way I had a lot of positions to make up. A few laps in at Turn Four, Maldonado ran into the back of me and damaged something. From then on I really struggled with the rear and the car was very hard to drive. It was a difficult day but one point is better than nothing."
Bottas Valtteri Bottas:
"I am pleased with the race and happy with fourth position. It was a real shame for the team that Felipe had an issue at the start. It was a lonely race but the final 20 laps were very tough. Sebastian was quicker than me, and closed up behind very fast, but the fight was really good fun. I know a few tricks that can really help to defend and they all worked today, and I am delighted to come out on top today."
Rob Smedley Rob Smedley, Head of Vehicle Performance:
"It was a race of two halves today for us. Felipe had a sensor issue on the grid and we struggled to return from that. In the end Felipe drove a great race to fight back and bring the car home with a point. Valtteri had a great race as we managed to capitalise on Vettel’s mistake and he did a brilliant job to hold off the Ferrari for 17 laps in the closing stages. Overall, our targets are being met in terms of Championship position but we need to develop the package quicker to catch the cars in front."
 
Massa
 

Track Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
Lap Length 5.412kms/ 3.362miles

Weather Warm and Dry
Air: 24-26°C Track:28-31°C

POS

DRIVER

TEAM

Time (Fastest Lap)

Grid

1 L Hamilton Mercedes 1:35:05.809 (1:37.857) 1

2

K Raikkonen

 Ferrari +3.380 (1:36.311)

4

3 N Rosberg Mercedes +6.033 (1:37.326) 3
4 V BOTTAS Williams Martini Racing +42.957 (1:38.095) 5
10 F MASSA Williams Martini Racing +1 Lap (1:39.094) 6
 
Bottas
 

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Bahrain GP: Race of mixed fortunes for Williams Martini
Discussion started by Williams F1 , 20/04/2015 09:27
Williams F1
20/04/2015 09:27
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