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Valtteri Bottas felt in control of Chinese Grand Prix before Safety Car

Valtteri Bottas said he felt in complete control of the Chinese Grand Prix before the Safety Car period which swung the race towards its eventual winner, Daniel Ricciardo.

After a brilliantly managed first stint and a blistering set of laps either side of his first pit stop, Bottas jumped polesitter Sebastian Vettel for the lead. The pair remained close afterwards and appeared set for a close fight for victory until a Safety Car was deployed on lap 35, moments after the pair had passed the pit entry.

The allowed Red Bull to pit both its drivers for fresh tyres, triggering a phenomenal charge through the field by Ricciardo, who caught and passed Bottas lap 45 despite being squeezed on the inside of the corner by the Finn.