Bottas explains why he was self-critical in Melbourne

Valtteri Bottas has explained why he was dissatisfied with his Mercedes debut in Australia, saying that it was because he always expects to achieve the high targets that he sets himself.

The Finn came home third in the race, one place behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton, and although he described this as a "decent start", he felt disappointment at not being able to win immediately. The self-criticism works as encouragement for Bottas, however, as it pushes him to get a better result at the next race.

"I always set very high targets for myself and that works for me - it makes me work harder and I didn't feel any negatives from my self-criticism," he said. "It's only good for me to think about my weaknesses and strengths, so I'm not worried about that."

"I think that in general the weekend didn't always go the ideal way, but I think it was a decent start with the team and a completely new page in my career. I know there's so much more to come and I just need to keep on doing what I'm doing and everything will be OK. I trust my skills, so I don't see it as a worry."

 

Mason Hawker

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    Good way of preparing yourself. Let´s hope he´s going to give Lewis a very hard time. I´d like to see Valtteri beating Lewis just because of the fact he´s much more calm, more intelligent and just a nice character instead of the egomaniac.
    It´s going to be interesting though where he´s going to be in the upcoming season.. :-)

    • + 0
    • Apr 4 2017 - 06:53
    • Same, I like Bottas. As CHRISPAPAS says below, I can definitely see Bottas challenge or even beat Hamilton.

      • + 0
      • Apr 4 2017 - 17:20
  • ChrisPapas

    Posts: 1

    I can see Bottas beating Hamilton as the season progresses. I think the mind games that Lewis applies to his team mates in the past might actually work against Lewis

    • + 0
    • Apr 4 2017 - 14:38

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Cadillac F1
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 210
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (36)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar