Bottas says it's too early to call it a two-way fight

Valtteri Bottas thinks that it is far too early in the season to be making suggestions that the 2017 title will be fought between two drivers. So far, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton have taken a win each, while their respected team mates Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas have failed to match their pace.

Hamilton and Vettel have locked out the front row in both Australia and China, with many expecting a straight fight between the Brit and the German for this year's title.

Bottas, who moved to Mercedes at the start of the year, thinks that people shouldn't be so quick to assume that he or someone else are out of the championship race. 

"I think it's way too early to say there are only two drivers in the championship battle. We've only done two races in this long season, so I wouldn't say it's going to be all about Lewis and Sebastian," Bottas said. 

"In the end, of course, results are all that matter and I'm very keen to get the proper results as soon as possible because every point I lose now will affect by the end of the year. 

"But I don't feel I'm in a rush with anything. I feel that if I keep doing what I'm doing, progress every single day with the team, I'm sure we'll be at a very, very good level soon, so I don't feel any panic or rush to prove anything. The team knows exactly where I am with my performance and that's what counts."

Fergal Walsh
 

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

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 211
  • 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