Bottas: Only myself to blame for points gap to Hamilton

  • Published on 21 Oct 2019 12:02
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas says he only has himself to blame for the large gap in the drivers' championship between himself and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Both of the aforementioned drivers are the only challengers in contention to take the 2019 title, with Hamilton being the clear favourite with a 64 point lead over Bottas.

MORE'Logical' for Hamilton to switch to Formula E - Vergne | Hamilton: 'Crazy' to see Mercedes' 2013 beliefs come true

However, the Finn admits that he is the only one to blame for allowing the gap to grow to what it is, acknowledging that he has to be "very lucky" in order to win the championship this year. 

"I haven't thought in a way that 'that's it', even though I know the facts and I would need to be very lucky as well to still be able to fight for the title," Bottas said.

"It's not done yet. But I can for sure blame myself as well for being that far [behind] in the points. Lewis has been better so far, more consistently.

"That's how it is. Now we're in this situation, I just really focus on each weekend and the closer we get to the end, we'll find out what happens with the points and where I finish. At least it's going better than last year, at this point."

Bottas added that the gap in performance between himself and Hamilton has remained the same throughout the season, and has not swayed much in the races that have been run. 

"I would say it's been pretty similar if I look at the averages in terms of qualifying and the race from the beginning of the year to this date," Bottas said.

"It's been pretty consistent, a step from last year which is what I like to see. But obviously I want to get closer, and I'm really working on those details to make that happen."

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Very honest assessment and thankfully Mercedes have given him another year to try to close that gap even further. If he succeeds in closing the gap, it's bad news for the rest of the pitlane I'm afraid - it will require unbelievable reliability, perfect strategy and harmony among team mates to beat the Merc machine - something no team has been able to achieve for years now.

    • + 0
    • Oct 21 2019 - 20:21
  • TheDentist

    Posts: 24

    He’s going up against one of the best, I think he’s doing well!

    • + 0
    • Oct 22 2019 - 14:25
  • nakagoli

    Posts: 4

    bottas can also blame toto for the points gap !

    • + 0
    • Oct 22 2019 - 14:58
    • And yet he doesn't. Maybe, because unlike teams like Ferrari, Mercedes hasn't asked Bottas to move over for Lewis while both were in close fight for the championship. Or worse, asking the #2 driver to move over in the 6 or 7th race of the year, in the last lap, after dominating the entire weekend. No for that, look at Ferrari in Austria 2002.

      I hope Bottas rises and makes life difficult for Hamilton like Rosberg. But I don't think that will happen.

      • + 0
      • Oct 22 2019 - 18:45

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

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 - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Finland
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Nastola, Finland
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar