When Valtteri Bottas drove five years for Mercedes in Formula 1 between 2017 and 2021, the Silver Arrows won the Constructors’ World Championship five times.
The Finnish racing driver, had a significant career at the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Bottas joined the team in 2017, replacing retired world champion Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate. Over the course of his tenure with Mercedes, Bottas proved himself as a reliable driver, contributing to the team’s success.
In the following seasons, Bottas consistently played a vital role in Mercedes’ dominance in Formula One. He showcased his speed and consistency by securing numerous podium finishes and supporting Hamilton in his championship battles. Bottas finished third in the Drivers’ Championship in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Throughout his time at Mercedes, Bottas contributed to the team’s record-breaking success, as they secured consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2017 to 2020.
In 2022, Bottas left Mercedes to join Alfa Romeo Racing, beginning a new chapter in his Formula One career. His time with Mercedes will be remembered as a period of great achievements, where he played a vital role in the team’s dominance and success.
READ MORE: Hamilton in decline says ex-F1 champion
“They will be back”
The Finn says that “They will be back,” when asked about Mercedes’ recent decline in Formula 1. During his five-year stint with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, the team won the Constructors’ World Championship five times.
However, the streak came to an end in 2022, the same year Bottas left the team for Alfa Romeo.
Bottas humorously suggests that there is a “big correlation” between his departure and Mercedes’ struggles. But he acknowledges that he couldn’t have prevented the team’s decline in recent years.
F1 boss to lure teams into early new Concorde deal
In a more serious tone, Bottas explains that it’s not surprising to see a team face challenges in Formula 1, even if they have a strong history. No team can dominate forever; it’s simply the nature of the sport.
Despite Mercedes’ recent setbacks, Bottas firmly believes in their comeback. He points out that Mercedes has the right people and facilities to make progress and return to the top of the grid.
Sidepods back!
As for his own performance, Bottas hopes for a strong race in Canada. He humorously mentions Mercedes’ update for the W14 car in Monaco, saying, “And now they even have sidepods!”.
Meanwhile, he has been working in the simulator and preparing in Finland after a challenging start to the season, where he failed to score points in six consecutive races. Bottas states that he is ready for the upcoming challenges and aims to tap into the potential of his car to achieve a good result in Canada.
READ MORE: Verstappen reveals the impact of Perez error
