Valtteri Bottas raised aggression to send message to F1 rivals

The Williams driver collided with countryman Kimi Raikkonen twice in three grands prix last season, with Bottas coming off worse in the first incident in Russia and surviving the second to take a podium in Mexico.

"Maybe the last few races I started being more aggressive," Bottas told Autosport.

"Normally I've been known as a conservative driver, always bringing the car home.

"I still calculate every risk but at some point there is the situation where it is better not to back off.

"It can either get you a good result or in the worst case maybe some other drivers know that they shouldn't try that [because you don't give way]."

Asked if he was forced into that approach after the first incident with Raikkonen, cost him a podium, Bottas replied: "Maybe.

"For me, it comes quite naturally because it had not been a great season.

"I wanted to fight for every single position and I also want to prove that I can race hard and I'm not going to give up. In some cases, I'm not going to back off."

Bottas finished fifth in the drivers' championship last year, 14 points adrift of Raikkonen.

"I will keep my style as always, always calculating the risks," he added.

"If I see a clear opportunity to go for it, I go for it and don't back off."