Valtteri Bottas has admitted that Mercedes' limitations on their car's performance are a result of the team's decision to prioritise reliability over outright speed.
Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, the Finn said that while the W13 is not the fastest car on the grid, it is a more reliable and easier to handle than its rivals.
“We have a good car, but it's not the fastest car out there. We have a good balance between speed and reliability, and that's what we're focusing on. We don't want to sacrifice reliability for speed,” Bottas explained.
When asked if the team has been prioritising reliability over outright speed, Bottas replied: “Yes, that's correct. We have a good foundation with the car, and we're not trying to push it to the limit all the time. We're trying to find a good balance between speed and reliability, and that's what we're focusing on."
“We have a good car, but it's not the fastest car out there. We have a good balance between speed and reliability, and that's what we're focusing on. We don't want to sacrifice reliability for speed.”
Bottas' comments come after a challenging start to the season for Mercedes, who have struggled to match the pace of their rivals. While the team has been working hard to improve the car, Bottas believes that they are on the right track.
“We're making good progress, and we're working hard to improve the car. It's not easy, but we're getting there. We're not giving up, and we're still pushing to get the best out of the car," he said.
Valtteri Bottas' comments highlight the complexities of Formula 1 car development, where teams must balance speed and reliability to achieve success. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Mercedes' approach pays off.