Valtteri Bottas: “A third place will give a big boost to Williams”

Valtteri Bottas described his third place on the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix as a strong boost for the Williams team.

Williams is still looking for its first points of the 2013 Formula 1 season, and prior to Montreal it had not yet reached Q3.

Bottas flew throughout the qualifying session in the wet and finished behind only Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.

“It means a lot,” Bottas said. “We are more on the right path than we could ever imagine.”

“It was so difficult for the first six races for us, and it's a nice boost for the team. We really achieved everything we could here today.”

Although Williams has improved in recent races, Bottas was in no doubt that time has transformed its outlook.

“I think in the dry the car isn't P3 at the moment,” he said.

“Our team is always hoping for rain as there is always a chance of finishing in a position above the car's potential.”

Bottas prefers to remain cautious about his prospects for the race.

“If it's dry then it will be difficult,” he said. “I still have zero points and there is still a lot to learn.”