Bottas promises his performance 'hasn't peaked yet'

  • Published on 14 Jan 2020 08:55
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas says he hasn't reached peak performance in his Formula 1 career following on from the 2019 campaign. 

The Finn picked up four race wins throughout the year with Mercedes and ended the season second in the drivers' championship, his highest ever result.

However, he failed to mount a consistent challenge on teammate Lewis Hamilton to contend for the world title, finishing almost 100 points behind him in the standings.

MORE: Marko was worried about losing Verstappen to Mercedes | Hamilton: Engineer switch helped Bottas in 2019

As he looks ahead to the new season, which will be his eighth in F1, he believes he found new strength in 2019, which he can carry over.

"I have found a new strength and energy for this year," he told  Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"There's still time to go through things and get ready, but things have started already. Basically, I'm ready to jump in the car now. My own performance hasn't quite peaked yet," he added.

Bottas had to contend against Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon for a seat at the team for 2020, with the latter finding himself at Renault.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently admitted that placing Ocon at Mercedes alongside Hamilton was not worth the risk for the team and Ocon's career

Bottas acknowledged that minor mistakes must be eliminated in 2020 if he wishes to come out on top in the world championship fight. 

"All mistakes must be eliminated," he said. "Last year, sometimes I paid for that in points but there is and will be more momentum than before. There is no doubt about that."

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Bilstar

    Posts: 54

    Well take your time, no pressure eh? What's the hurry?

    • + 0
    • Jan 14 2020 - 13:29
  • Deja vu - feel like Ive heard this last two seasons.

    • + 0
    • Jan 14 2020 - 20:33
    • Happy I'm not the only one to notice. I dunno, maybe he'll surge this year, but I kinda think he has reached his limit.

      • + 0
      • Jan 14 2020 - 20:51

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 204
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar