Bottas puts Williams back on podium

MONTREAL, Canada - Valtteri Bottas has released the Mercedes/Ferrari stranglehold on the Formula 1 podium by scoring third place for Williams from the 2015 Canadian GP on Sunday (June 7).

Bottas said: "We really needed this result.

"Like 2014, we saw that it really boosts confidence. We know again now that we are a top team and that we can fight for podiums."

GREAT DRIVE BY BOTTAS

Bottas finished 40sec behind Mercedes' race-winner Lewis Hamilton.

Until the 2015 Canadian GP, the only four drivers to stand on the podium in six races in 2015 (Australia, Malaysia, China, Bahrain, Spain, Monaco) Hamilton, his team mate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

Bottas, who started fourth, moved up to third when Raikkonen spun after a pit stop.

.@ValtteriBottas returns to the podium #CanadianGP #WeAreRacing #WeAreBack! pic.twitter.com/nChPMTgZpC

— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) June 7, 2015

Bottas, whose Mercedes-powered team finished 2014 third overall, said: "The mistake Kimi made allowed us to get one position and we also changed the plan with the strategy during the race, which I thought was really dynamic.

"I think the next couple of tracks, at least, will be pretty good for us. Austria, Silverstone, I think they will suit our car and I'm quite confident also with the package we have coming to Austria.

"If it works like all the updates we've had so far I think it should be a very good step and then possibly we could be fighting for many more podiums. I really hope it's possible."

Former champion team Williams is third overall, 50 points ahead of Red Bull.

Bottas' team mate Felipe Massa, who started 15th, finished sixth and ahead of both Red Bull drivers. Massa qualified on pole in Austria in 2014.

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