Hamilton disappointed with Bottas: 'Thought Valtteri would do the same'

Mercedes could not have imagined a better starting grid at the Mexican Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton started from first and second respectively, but the Finn lost his place to Max Verstappen as early as the first corner.

The Dutchman had an excellent start and suddenly saw space on the outside. Verstappen put his car in the gap and passed Bottas easily on the left side. As the Red Bull Racing driver braked late, he took the first position.

Bottas had a bad start in Mexico

The moment caused Hamilton disappointment. "I had envisaged it differently, naturally, in the sense that maybe Valtteri had got a better start and I would have tried to get into his tow," he told Motorsport.com. "But I was alongside him which was good, and then I was just covering my side of the track trying to make sure that no-one could come up the inside."

He hoped Bottas managed to keep Verstappen behind him. "So I was trying to keep whichever Red Bull I could see in my mirror behind, and I thought Valtteri would be doing the same. But obviously, he left the door open for Max, and Max was on the racing line so did a mega job braking into Turn 1. Because I was on the inside on the dirt, there was no hope for me."

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