Valtteri Bottas believes that he could have started Sunday's Russian Grand Prix from the front row of the grid but for mistakes at the end of his final flying lap.

The Williams driver qualified in third position, behind the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, but the Finn is adamant that he should have got closer to the Silver Arrows.

He told a press conference: "I didn't know at that time that it was close to the pole, I only knew how it was compared to my best lap which was my previous lap. I knew I had one lap left to go and, looking back, maybe I took too much out of the tyres in the beginning of the lap so the last sector became a bit more tricky.

"As I was gaining time compared to my best it became more difficult in the last few corners and I risked a bit too much and went a little bit wide and here when you go off line it is very slippery.

"Of course, it is not nice to make a mistake but I think in the end today it maybe cost me one place maximum."

Bottas's teammate Felipe Massa was hindered by a fuel pressure problem, which saw the Brazilian finish down in 18th place.