Valtteri Bottas to keep approach despite Lewis Hamilton crash

Valtteri Bottas of Williams during previews ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on March 31, 2016
© Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas insists that he will not alter his racing style, even though he crashed with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain.

Valtteri Bottas has insisted that he will not alter his racing style, even though he crashed with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain.

The Finn had to serve a drive-through and see two penalty points added to his super-licence after colliding with Mercedes's Hamilton at the race start.

Bottas laughed when asked by Finland's Iltalehti newspaper if he had spoken about the issue with Toto Wolff, who is not only Hamilton's boss at Mercedes, but also Bottas's manager.

"Yes, Toto commented about it, but not at all negatively," he insisted.

"There is nothing else to say about it. He knows that it was just a competitive situation."

Bottas said immediately after the incident that he does not think it warranted a penalty.

He has now told Finnish broadcaster MTV: "I saw that there was space and went for it, and [Hamilton] didn't see me. It happens.

"I will not change my style, of course. I will take every opportunity that I see.

"It was pretty tight and perhaps I braked a bit too late, but I think sometimes it is penalised and sometimes it is not."

The season continues this Sunday with the Chinese Grand Prix.

Valtteri Bottas of Williams gets ready for the final practice session of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 19, 2016
Read Next:
Bottas: 'Too early for silly season to start'
>