Bottas aiming to apply more pressure to Hamilton

  • Published on 24 Feb 2018 16:34
  • comments 9
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas says that he is hoping to be closer to teammate Lewis Hamilton during the 2018 F1 season. Bottas enters his second year with the Silver Arrows, having joined at the start of 2017 after Nico Rosberg announced his immediate retirement.

The Finn picked up three race victories and four pole positions in his maiden year with the German squad. His last two pole positions came in the final two rounds of the 2017 season, and he converted his season finale pole into a race win.

But overall throughout the year, he was outclassed by Hamilton who picked up his fourth world championship. However, Bottas is confident he can get the better of the Brit this year. When asked if Hamilton is capable of being beaten, Bottas replied: "I think he is.

"He’s the toughest teammate I’ve ever had. he’s one of the best drivers ever in F1. He was the best driver last season. There’s no driver that is unbeatable. That’s what I believe. I believe in myself also.

"I believe in all the things I have been learning since the five years I’ve been in F1. I was able to show that I can do it in many races - not during 21 races every time but I know it’s there, I know it’s possible. That’s my thinking."

Bottas says that closer on-track action between the duo would cause some tension, but the former Williams driver says that that can be a positive thing: "I would like to put more pressure on Lewis on track and be battling wheel to wheel with him more often than last year.

"If I perform well, then that’s going to be the case and that will naturally cause some tension. That can be a positive thing and makes both of us try even more to leave no stones unturned in terms of performance and keeps us pushing even more. I think he means he wants us both to be peforming on a 100 percent level, and at the same time it can be some healthy competition."

 

Fergal Walsh

Good luck. But remember, if you actually challenge him this year, you are out. Hamilton want a B-driver, not a challenger.

  • 1
  • Feb 24 2018 - 18:06

Replies (9)

Login to reply
  • Good luck. But remember, if you actually challenge him this year, you are out. Hamilton want a B-driver, not a challenger.

    • + 1
    • Feb 24 2018 - 18:06
    • I would disagree. I'm sure Hamilton would love to prove himself against as many drivers as possible.

      • + 0
      • Feb 24 2018 - 18:08
    • The fact that he actively prevent Mercedes from chasing the likes of Verstappen, Ricciardo, Alonso or even Vettel pretty much proves my point. Remember: Hamilton got along well with Rosberg, until Rosberg started winning races.

      • + 0
      • Feb 24 2018 - 19:02
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      That's nothing new there most teammates act in such an fashion. The comment about Hamilton wouldn't mind who's his teammate is less plausible since he doesn't want to have too much of an challenge. Two extremely good drivers in one team spells trouble however in case of redbull it's ok since they weren't fighting for wc yet. Hamilton is good however all wins come from merc power so in my mind to be truly the greatest he must win an f1 wc/races with another team. There seems to be an issue around drivers these days in such that the are less likely to swap. Ham, Vet, Ricciardo haven't changed teams for some time now. The driver line-up bar redbull in the top teams have an clear no1 followed by an decent no2. Can't see bottas braking that circle.

      • + 0
      • Feb 24 2018 - 23:17
    • You do know Hamilton had success with McLaren?

      • + 0
      • Feb 24 2018 - 23:58
    • Bottas was hired as a #2 driver to back up Lewis, any talk of him challenging Lewis is utter rubbish, Mercedes would not allow it.

      • + 0
      • Feb 25 2018 - 02:08
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      @f1fan0101 off course with McLaren-Mercedes before switch to Mercedes. So Hamilton has only won races with Mercedes power in F1. I would like to see him switch so he can showcase his talents but that will most likely not happen. The best drivers end up in the best cars and since Mercedes has the best package he will stay there unless there is some kind of driver swap.

      • + 0
      • Feb 25 2018 - 05:25
  • Smiler121

    Posts: 53

    With less potential for a stellar drive to put anyone but the top 2/3 teams on the podium I can understand why drivers are reluctant to take too many chances by switching teams when they are in one of the top 3, look at Fernando.

    • + 0
    • Feb 25 2018 - 12:43
  • JCF1

    Posts: 27

    If he can't challenge Hamilton, he should at least beat all the other drivers.

    • + 0
    • Feb 25 2018 - 14:27

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar