Valtteri Bottas would be willing to accept team orders from Mercedes at this weekend's Russian Grand Prix in order to help Lewis Hamilton's F1 title bid. Hamilton remains five points back on Max Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship after the two clashed at the Italian Grand Prix and retired. Bottas, who finds himself 85 points off the lead, revealed discussions have been held internally regarding team orders, and that he would be willing to support Hamilton's push for an eighth World Championship. "We have discussed many things internally, including different scenarios," Bottas told RacingNews365.com and other members of the media. "Every race is always different. There could be times that we need to play as a team, and I need to take one for the team. "[Given] how the situation is, yes, I would do it, because we're here as a team and really need to make sure that we win both titles, not only the Constructors', but also [the] Drivers'. "At the moment, Lewis has the greater chance for that, so that's the situation now." Mercedes employed team orders at the 2018 Russian Grand Prix when Bottas was asked to step aside and let his teammate through. The Finn admits it was a difficult decision to accept at the time, however he's moved on and grown from it. "That's a few years ago, but at least now I can be fine with things," Bottas added. "At that point, yes, it was painful. And for me, it was hard to accept. "But we've obviously moved on since, and also I've grown a lot since. Things are a bit different now."
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