Mixed day in Monaco for Williams

(Williams Martini Racing Team)

There were mixed fortunes for the Williams Martini Racing Team in Monaco today as Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas had contrasting Grand Prix. For Massa, who started the Grand Prix from 16th place he drove a great race and eventually finished the race in 7th place, picking up his first points since the Bahrain Grand Prix. Speaking following the conclusion of the Grand Prix the Brazilian said:

'I am very happy with seventh after starting 16th on the grid. I took some risks when I changed strategy at the safety car and had to make my tyres last, which they did. I made the most of the opportunities I had with other cars making mistakes or retiring. Many things could have happened so I am pleased they worked out for the best. A tough weekend turned into a positive one.'

Valtteri Bottas started the race from 13th on the grid but unfortunately for the Finn, who had upon until today scored points in every race in 2014 was forced to retire from the Grand Prix with an engine failure. Despite the retirement, Bottas remains in seventh place in the Drivers standings, three point's ahead of McLaren#'s Jenson Button. 

Commenting after the race Bottas said:

'We had an issue with the power unit which is frustrating. There are some investigations to do to find out exactly what happened. After the start I was quickly in the points so it could have been a good weekend. Felipe finished seventh so the team can walk away with something. We now look towards Canada where we hope to be strong due to the nature of the track.'

Williams head of performance engineering, Rob Smedley was happy with how Massa's race went but was understandably disappointed for Bottas as it was the Finn's first retirement since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix. The Englishman stated after the race:

' Felipe’s race went well; he recovered from 16th to seventh and stayed out of trouble, driving with a sensible head. The strategy was a risk but paid dividends as we didn’t have to stack the cars during the pitstops. Valtteri would have got some good points today, but sadly there was a failure on his car. We now have to look forward to Canada and consider where we can make improvements to continue bringing home points. '

The team are currently in 6th place in the Constructors championship on 52 points, exactly the same number of points as McLaren although the Woking based outfit are ahead due to the fact that both Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen finished the Monaco Grand Prix in the points.

©Ben Johnston 2014