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Valtteri Bottas didn't like being referred to as Lewis Hamilton's "sensational wingman" by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after this year's Hungarian Grand Prix. No racing driver would, and his response revealed just how difficult it is to accept taking one of the most difficult jobs in motorsport.
"Wingman hurts" was Bottas's response. It was an innocent comment from Wolff that reflected the race situation at the Hungaroring, where Bottas had held second place behind his team-mate before a painful slump to fifth in the final six laps came about due to a combination of tyre troubles and on-track clashes, rather than a preordained status within the team.
But Bottas did become the de facto Mercedes number two on the basis of performance, and fell short not only of his own expectations but even what you'd hope for from a support act in terms of final results.
