Wolff has regularly been heard giving Bottas messages of encouragement since qualifying for last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi following𒁃 an agreement to support each other more during race weekends. 

The Mercedes team principa🦄l once again came over the radio in the r𒉰ace in Portugal as Bottas chased Verstappen for second place, saying: “Hunt him down, Valtteri, you’re the fastest car.” 

Despite Bottas’ best efforts, the Finn’s hopes of catching Ve𝕴rstappen were ultimately dashed by a sensor issue that caused his engine to enter a safety mode, costing him five seconds over two laps.

"We discussed it and I enjoy it also, because I'm so passionate about things that having a release valve to Valtteri I thought works well,” Wolff said after the race.&🙈nꦏbsp;

“It actually didn't work well this time, so I maybe need to shut up next time, or❀ a🐽t least discuss it with him.

"I need to speak to him again. He's me𒊎ntally strong, when you saw how he recovered from last weekend [at Imola].

"He was really catching up, really hunting him [Verstappen] down, but when I came on the radio, it kind💛 of flatlined. So maybe not in the future any more.”

But Bottas said he would be happy for the in-race communication🍌 between himself and Wolff to c🔜ontinue. 

"There's been many times that he's opened ✃the radio to say sometꦚhing," Bottas explained. 

"It's all supportive and it shows there's the sup🤪port and the passi🦹on behind - and it never hurts.

"Obviously I'm always giving it every single bit I 🧸have on track, but yeah, it's good."