Many positives will make me stronger in 2019 - Bottas

  • Published on 02 Feb 2019 14:20
  • comments 0
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Mercedes F1 driver Valtteri Bottas says he is confident he will be much stronger in 2019, after finding positives he could not see after the conclusion of the 2018 season. Despite a strong start to the season, Bottas endured an overall tough 2018 thanks to bad luck and a drop of form, seeing the flying finn end last year's campaign without a single win.

Confident with the new positives he has found within himself and the new regulations being introduced in 2019, Bottas believes he can make a fresh start in 2019. Mercedes former driver and 2016 champion Nico Rosberg has also tipped Bottas to be back on form, even suggesting that teammate Lewis Hamilton may find him "annoying" this season.

"I am very happy to start a new season, because for me personally 2018 did not go the way I wanted it to," Bottas told Mercedes in an interview for the team's website. "There was quite a bit of criticism at some stages in 2018, but that is actually a positive thing for me because it has given me an extra boost."

Bottas, who spent his holidays on vacation with his wife in South America and recently made a debut in rallying in a Finnish national event finishing fifth in an M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta WRC, is relishing the 2019 season and it's changes, and acknowledges the hard work that continues in the team's factory.

"I am excited that everyone starts with zero points again in 2019. We are all on the same line and 2019 can bring anything, that's exciting," Bottas told. "It's a new season ahead and I'm going to put everything I have for this year, all in. I'm sure it's going to be interesting."

"Nothing has changed in the past few weeks I haven't been in the factory. Everyone is working as hard as ever. With some regulation changes there are always question marks, but I can guarantee everyone has been doing and will continue to do everything they can for the new car."

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  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 1,608
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  • Country Finland
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, Finland
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
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