Why Bottas still needs his Rosberg moment
Mercedes is a sea of calm compared with three years ago - but for Valtteri Bottas to complete his renaissance in 2019, he needs to seek inspiration from the man who came before him
Something Lewis Hamilton said after finishing second to Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix was very telling. It proved that, while Bottas has made a strong start to the season, the reigning world champion doesn't see him as a serious title threat. If - and it's a big if - he ever does, it will become very obvious.
"Selfishly, I could have pushed a lot harder and Valtteri would have lost positions and I would have gained positions," said Hamilton. It's true that he could have forced Bottas wide earlier in the first corner and hung him out to dry, which is exactly what he would do to a title rival. That's why Bottas needs what might be termed his 'Rosberg moment'.
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