Bottas 'enjoying every lap' around "amazing" Mugello F1 circuit

Valtteri Bottas has heaped praise on the Mugello circuit after topping both Friday Formula 1 practice sessions for the Tuscan Grand Prix.

The Finn was the man to beat in Friday practice, ending both sessions clear at the top of the timesheets as he looks to win his first race since the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.

The high-speed nature of the Mugello circuit has left many F1 drivers in awe of it and Bottas is no different.

“It’s a lot of fun, really cool, especially after we go into Turn One, the first section the old section is fantastic and the second sector is also amazing, so I really enjoyed every single lap today,” Bottas said.

“It’s one of the most physical tracks, no doubt about it. I still think we’ll only see it in the race distance, once the fatigue starts to build up, but could even see that today. It’s going to be a tough Sunday for everyone, but I’m definitely ready for it, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Bottas held the advantage over teammate Hamilton in the opening two-thirds of the lap, with Hamilton clawing back some time in the final sector.

He remains confident of finding further improvements as he looks to beat Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pole position.

“In the first session I struggled quite a bit with understeer, and still in some places in the second session, but it was definitely better. There’s still quite a bit of lap time to unlock, as it always happens on a track where you and the cars haven’t been to.

“As a driver you tend to find pretty big gains from one day to the other, so I think that from the car, but even more so from the drivers, we will find performance.”

The high-speed nature of the circuit, as well as the hot weather forecast, means tyres will be put under extra strain in Sunday’s race.

“It is tough, it’s a really high-energy circuit for the tyres, but it was quite a bit better than what we expected, so, that’s good news,” Bottas added. “Always, in the high-speed corners, we are going to be overheating and Sunday is going to be pretty hot as well.”