Valtteri Bottas admits he simply didn’t have the pace to contend with Lewis𝄹 Hamil👍ton at the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Despite m🐼aking a slow start, Bottas managed to get ahead of Max Verstappen into Turn 2 and then Lewis Ha💟milton into Turn 8 on the opening lap.

It was short-lived as once Hamil🌜ton got comfortable with the track conditions, he overtook the Finn several laps later into Turn 1 with the use of DRS.

Bottas even🧸tually finished the race over 25s behind Hamilton - who claimed a record 92nd F1 victory, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s win tally.

“Yes, the opening lap wa🔯s pretty good, there was a bit of drizzle, which made it a bit tricky,” Bottas said. “Obviously, some cars from behind, on the Soft tyre, had the upper hand, but I was pretty pleased I could get the lead. But, to be honest, after that, I just had no pace today, I don’t understand why, but no pace…

“I tried to defend but at the rate he was going 🍬to close there was nothing really I could do. Like I said, I have no idea why I didn’t have the pace today. Pushing hard but should have gone faster.”

Bottas had requested s🦩oft tyres for his second stint over team radio, but Mercedes fဣitted hards to ensure both cars were on the same compound.

Bottas doubts a switch to softs would🥃 have aided him in his fi💫ght with Hamilton.

“I was hoping to extend the first stint a bit and go for the softs at the end, but I don’t think it would have mad𝐆e any🧸 difference to the result today,” Bottas added.