Race - Mexico GP report: Williams Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas finished third and Felipe Massa sixth in today’s Mexican Grand Prix.

Both cars had good starts but were caught out when Vettel slowed with a puncture and lost ground to the Red Bulls.

Early pitstops gave the drivers free air to push and each overtook a Red Bull as the pitstops evened out.

A late safety car allowed Felipe and Valtteri to pit for new option tyres and Valtteri took the opportunity to overtake Kvyat at the restart for the final podium spot.

Rob Smedley, Head of Performance Engineering

Overall, it was a positive day. The team equipped itself very well to deal with a new track. In terms of altitude, it’s quite a change from other tracks but we didn’t let it affect us. The Red Bulls were very strong around here so to outscore them is pleasing. We have missed a few podiums over the last few races, so to be back up there is great. We made good strategic calls, both drivers drove exceptionally well and the team as a complete unit operated very well.

Valtteri Bottas

I’m very pleased with the result today. Every decision from the team on strategy was right, so I’m really delighted with what we achieved as a team. It feels so good, after so much bad luck recently and so much hard work, to get the reward. It was a great feeling on the podium, that was very special. Regarding the incident with one of the Ferraris, it was unlucky that it was me and him again but of course I didn’t want it to end up like that.

Felipe Massa

It was a very positive race for the team, to have a good fight with Red Bull and come out with a podium is encouraging on a track that suits them better than it does us. From my perspective it wasn’t the best race, I struggled with the rear tyres in the second stint and lost one position because of it. After the safety car I didn’t have the best run, and as a result didn’t get the chance to pass the cars ahead. I am a little disappointed, but as a team we can be really proud of the performance.