Why Bottas feels the time has come to be “more selfish”
We’ve seen five distinct versions of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as he’s tried to fulfil his own ambitions while being a consummate team player – two difficult, competing missions which have been challenging to reconcile. Speaking exclusively to STUART CODLING, Bottas explains his highs and lows… and why he still believes he can be world champion
Since joining Mercedes at short notice to replace Nico Rosberg ahead of the 2017 season, Valtteri Bottas has been a key enabler of four world titles for Lewis Hamilton. But was that how Bottas saw his own career panning out? Probably not.
So what, apart from Hamilton’s once-in-a-generation talent, has held Bottas back? He’s fast, yes, but not always at the right moment. Marginal errors and slips of focus have proved costly, as he’s the first to admit.
Share Or Save This Story
More from GP Racing
Why Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes his mission to create a strong FIA is so important
The military precision involved in bringing F1 broadcasts to life
The science behind determining F1 suspension set-ups
Why star-struck Alpine F1 drivers aren't the biggest beneficiary of Zidane's wisdom
The factors that explain F1’s uniquely conservative driver choices for 2024
Who will lead the Mercedes F1 resurgence in 2024?
The Verstappen standard McLaren wants Norris to reach in F1 2024
How Steiner’s exit underlines the changed role of F1’s team bosses
Latest news
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Alpine: "Shock" of having slowest F1 car triggered tech revamp
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Both DS Penske in the points in São Paulo
Autosport Plus
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Why Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes his mission to create a strong FIA is so important
The Beckham clues as to where Verstappen and Red Bull are heading
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.