Williams: Massa justifies his refusal to let Bottas pass
One of the highlights of the Malaysian Grand Prix was the duel between Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa at Williams, with the epilogue being the Brazilian's refusal to comply when his team asked him to let the Finn pass at the end of the race.
The Malaysian Grand Prix was relatively uneventful on the track, but one battle stretched throughout the race: the one between Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, the two Williams drivers. It led to several radio exchanges that the race broadcast was happy to relay.
Act I of this duel took place during the first relay when Valtteri Bottas tried to overtake Felipe Massa, while the latter was battling against Kevin Magnussen. The reaction was swift as the Brazilian vigorously called out to his pit: “Did you see what he did?” he notably exclaimed, before the Williams pit wall reprimanded the Finn by asking him not to attack.
Later, towards the end of the race, Act II changed the situation: the 2008 vice-world champion was ordered to let Bottas pass, with his team telling him – believing he could catch Jenson Button – the now-famous phrase “Felipe, Valtteri is faster than you.” But Massa did not comply, and the order remained unchanged, with the two drivers finishing 7th and 8th, respectively.
This situation did not go unnoticed, and journalists’ questions during the post-race press briefing were plentiful. Autosport reports that when asked if Felipe Massa understood the message, he replied, “I heard everything, but it wasn’t clear,” before defending himself, “What I did was correct. I’m trying to do my best for the team, and that’s the most important thing.”
He believes, in his defense, that the Finn would not have been able to catch Button: « I’m sure the result wouldn’t have changed even if I had let him pass, so it’s the same. » For him, this situation hasn’t changed anything between the team and him: « The team respects me 100% and they showed their respect after the race, so I have no problem. What happened today might not have been what I expected, but what I did was correct. »
He is not surprised that such orders can be given, but he hopes they are given when relevant: « I expect this kind of thing to happen at the right time. » He insists: « I have clarified my situation. I have no problem and I feel really, really comfortable within the team. »
On Valtteri Bottas’s side, there’s no display of mood but the anticipation of a clear discussion: « We still haven’t had a discussion […] We will talk about this with the team and analyze what happened and what we need to do next time in such situations, so everything will be clear regarding the rules and what we will do better. Maybe this will allow us to earn more points in the future. »
Regarding the fact that he asked to pass Massa at the beginning of the race and was refused, but was then allowed to overtake Massa at the end, the driver with number 77 confirms: « Yes, that’s true. Then, in the last two laps, I was no longer allowed to overtake. » On the Canal+ microphone, in the Formula One show, when asked if he was faster, the Finn laconically replied « Yes… » before leaving the interview area.
For the consultants of the encrypted channel, questioned about these instructions, the sentiment is in support of Massa. Thus, Jean Alesi stated: [He could pass him] if he was really faster… On his side, Jacques Villeneuve was not gentle with Bottas and especially Williams: It’s incredible! He has two seasons in F1, he doesn’t need help like that…
