Valtteri Bottas accepts Mercedes' decision to use team orders

HOCKENHEIM, Germany -- Valtteri Bottas understands why he was told to hold position behind Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the German Grand Prix.

After the late Safety Car restart, Hamilton was forced to defend from Bottas, who had the advantage of being able to push with newer tyres. Hamilton defended sternly as the two went wheel-to-wheel through the middle sector.

Hamilton held the lead and on the next lap Mercedes strategy guru James Vowles came on the radio to tell the Bottas he had to stay in second position until the end of the race. Bottas says the nature of the race, which had been plunged into chaos by a late rain storm, justified the decision from his team.

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