Toto Wolff says Valtteri Bottas is starting to rebuild his confidence after a performance slump late in 2017. A solid first season at Mercedes for the Finn earned him a new deal for 2018, but since the contract was signed, Bottas has notably struggled. There have even been rumours the 28-year-old's slump could cost him his seat.
But Mercedes boss Wolff said at Suzuka that he was satisfied with Bottas' performance on Sunday. "It is good that he starts to get his confidence back," he told Ilta Sanomat newspaper. "Valtteri drove a really good race. It has been difficult for him lately, but he is moving in a better direction now," Wolff added. "And when he has recovered, he will be stronger than ever." (GMM)
Wolff: "Bottas moving in a better direction now"
- Published on 09 Oct 2017 15:21
-
3
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Verstappen Makes His Choice: Fifth Title Over Le Mans Victory Every TimeMax Verstappen has been spending considerable time at the Nurburgring lately, and his passion for endurance racing is...
22 Apr 2026 18:25 -
Leclerc Says He Can Win the World Championship With Ferrari This SeasonCharles Leclerc is not being cautious about his ambitions. After two podiums in the first three races and third place...
22 Apr 2026 17:23 -
Norris Reveals He Struggled With Mental Problems During His Title-Winning SeasonLando Norris has spoken openly about a period of real self-doubt during his world championship season, the year he he...
22 Apr 2026 16:21 -
Hill Says Hamilton Has Accepted the End Is Approaching: "The Things That Used to Come Naturally No Longer Work the Same Way"Lewis Hamilton is back on the podium and back in the conversation at Ferrari, but Damon Hill sees something different...
22 Apr 2026 15:18 -
The Rule Changes May Actually Benefit Antonelli More Than Anyone ElseWhen Formula 1 announced its regulatory tweaks for Miami, most observers assumed the target was slowing Mercedes down...
22 Apr 2026 14:17
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team Cadillac F1
- Points 1,608
- Podiums 61
- Grand Prix 212
- Country FI
- Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (36)
- Place of b. Nastola, FI
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.73 m
- 134,990 comments on Cadillac F1
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 633,266 comments on Mercedes
- 59 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (3)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Lewis wins 4 of the last four races and Bottas has been on the podium how many times? Yeah... I don't think he drove a very good race on Sunday. It would have been good if he had been driving a Williams. With a Mercedes he should have been at least in close contention for the podium.
ZUKMAN
Posts: 40
Don't forget how mercedes used Valteri "Roadblock" Bottas to stop Verstapen in last race.
If they didn't do it he might've been on the poduim.
Patentprutser
Posts: 396
It's clear Wolff is satisfied, Bottas is placed slightly in to second driver while on track. Wolff is satisfied, Bottas surely not!