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Former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi doubts if Valtteri Bottas can rise to the challenge of beating Lewis Hamilton in 2017. Bottas moves to Mercedes, replacing Nico Rosberg who retired after winning the world championship in 2016.
Bottas has previously stated that he can beat the three time world champion, but Zinardi is not so sure.
"Hamilton has proved several times that he has an extra level compared to the others. Rosberg managed to beat him, but that was about his extra qualities. Bottas is a very good driver, no question, but he's not a Nico.
"For Lewis, this makes it all the easier for him to dominate the championship. Behind him I see better chances for Red Bull to chase Mercedes than Ferrari. I trust Daniel Ricciardo, and above all Max Verstappen, a lot," said Zanardi.
Zinardi competed in 44 F1 Grands Prix from 1991-1994 and another stint in 1999 before a horror crash in 2001 in the CART series left him paralysed. That didn't stop the Italian from sports who became a paralympic champion in para-cycling in 2016.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (2)
Login to replyPatentprutser
Posts: 393
Does the autor know, it is Alessandro Zanardi not Zinardi?!
Bottas had never a real competitive car, let's give him a chance to proof himself. It's is going to be tough but he has speed and knows how to fight on track.
yellowfly81
Posts: 79
I don't think anyone can really predict what's going to happen with all the new rule changes, we'll only know who will be ahead in Melbourne :)