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Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Valtteri Bottas has opened up about his experience with the third most successful team of the F1 championships. Bottas, actually, seemed unhappy at the one-year extensions he got every year rather than a long term contract. He feels that it affects his thought process and how he approaches the championship.
Bottas, who has now been a part of Mercedes for four years and into his fifth running season with them, has claimed that the small extensions have hurt his ambition of winning a championship. “It's just speculation and it's just guesswork based on what I am feeling right now, but it would certainly have saved a lot of energy and a lot of unnecessary pressure. Not just focusing on the moment, but knowing you are with the team and can focus on next year and all the improvements you want to share with the team for the future. It would certainly have been a different peace of mind, but it's just speculation,” Bottas said to speedweek.com.
Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017 when he replaced outgoing Nico Rosberg. Since then, he has had successful campaigns with them. He has 6 podium finishes, two fastest laps, one pole position, and 108 points in the last season for Mercedes.
Does he consider himself better than George Russell?
With rumours about George Russell coming in as a possible replacement for Bottas, obvious comparisons are being drawn between the two drivers. Speaking on the same to ESPN, Bottas chose not to comment directly and rather gave a diplomatic answer. “I don't know any drivers as well as I know myself and my driving skills, so it is always hard to comment. You never know with the performance of the other teams how they really are and against their teammate, it is quite tricky to know. But I am confident to say I am a good asset to the team and it definitely would be different if I was not here. I am confident with my driving skills but I don't make the decisions,” said Bottas.