Bottas has 'always understood' why Hamilton's been quicker

  • Published on 07 Nov 2018 10:09
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas says that there is no secret as to why Lewis Hamilton has out-performed him throughout the 2018 season. The Finn has been beaten by Hamilton on 13 occasions so far this year, while Bottas has only taken the spoils on Saturday six times.

Bottas is also 131 points behind Hamilton in the driver's championship, with the latter wrapping up his fifth world title in Mexico just over a week ago. But Bottas says that he understands why he has been consistently beaten by the Briton.

"Honestly there’s been no point that I haven’t understood," he told RaceFans.net. "There’s been always an explanation or I’ve seen why different things [are]. I do understand if he’s quicker and there’s a couple of corners that I struggle more than him. Sometimes I get it right but he gets it every time.

Bottas added that sometimes it works the other way around: “But it can be vice-versa, I can be quicker in some corners and he struggles more. But for me there’s always been an explanation and you can always find why.”

After winning three Grands Prix last year, Bottas is yet to taste victory in 2018, despite coming agonisingly close in Azerbaijan and Russia. The former Williams driver pointed out that Hamilton's ability to adapt to any type of track conditions is one of his major strengths.

“Whatever the conditions are – wind, temperature, wet or dry – he seems to be very adaptable." he said. "Obviously it was difficult to say much about Lewis before I joined the team other than knowing he is a good drive.

“I don’t normally create anything in my head when I don’t know a person. The only thing I can say when I joined the team and got to know him a bit more is he’s a very nice guy and he works hard. Maybe much harder than many people think.”

boudy

Posts: 1,168

How can he beat him if his hands are tied by Mercedes? He agrees that Hamilton is quicker than him so has he already given up on beating him? This just confirm my opinion that he's not capable enough for that seat.

  • 1
  • Nov 8 2018 - 07:58

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    How can he beat him if his hands are tied by Mercedes? He agrees that Hamilton is quicker than him so has he already given up on beating him? This just confirm my opinion that he's not capable enough for that seat.

    • + 1
    • Nov 8 2018 - 07:58

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 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 209
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar