Valtteri Bottas cost Lewis Hamilton F1 title, Jolyon Palmer claims
Max Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, played a vital role in the race but Bottas failed to support Hamilton
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Formula One commentator Jolyon Palmer believes Valtteri Bottas let down Lewis Hamilton in the decisive and dramatic final race of the season.
Max Verstappen passed Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to controversially clinch his maiden world championship after FIA race director Michael Masi ended the late safety car period.
However, Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, Sergio Perez, had already played a vital role in holding up Hamilton as the Briton looked to be on course to win his record-breaking eighth title.
After Hamilton made his first and only pit stop, he emerged from the pit lane behind Perez, who refused to be overtaken easily, with the pair’s duel allowing Verstappen to close the gap significantly.
However, Bottas offered Hamilton no such support, having fallen down the grid at the start of the race and become stuck in the pack.
“Bottas had a shocker,” said Palmer. “Now, did that cost Hamilton the title? If Bottas is within a pit-stop window of Verstappen, Verstappen is not having ‘free’ stops willy nilly.
“A great driver for the team for so many years, his last race he went missing and it meant Verstappen had a ‘free’ stop at the Virtual Safety Car, ‘free’ stop at the Safety Car.
“If you’ve got another Mercedes there within 23 seconds of him, in a car that’s quicker with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel, he can’t do it and Hamilton is the champion.
“Bottas has been solid but when it counted, he couldn’t help his teammate, and Perez did everything he possibly could, and he was in contention to do so.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments