Bottas says no-one in F1 is unbeatable

Valtteri Bottas believes he can take on any driver on the Formula 1 grid, claiming that none of them is unbeatable. Bottas joined Mercedes at the start of the season to partner Lewis Hamilton, who went on to clinch this year's championship.

In the first half of the season, Bottas won two races to Hamilton's four, but found himself far behind after the summer break. The Finn has out-qualified by over half a second on a number of occasions by his teammate and has not added to his win tally. 

Hamilton has meanwhile picked up a further five victories and wrapped up the title last month in Mexico. Bottas signed a deal to remain with Mercedes for another year in September, and knows it is up to him to step up to Hamilton's challenge.

"I still agree that no one is unbeatable," he told Sky F1. "It's up to me to next year be on par or better than Lewis. He managed to beat me this year – I admit it, he was better – that's why the season was definitely a bit of a disappointment for me. But there's been so much I've been able to learn this year from the whole team and also from Lewis, that I think is going to help me for the future."

Fergal Walsh