New Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas says he is ready to start fighting for wins in his first year with the reigning world champions.
Speaking at a press conference following his first laps in the new Mercedes W08 at Silverstone, Bottas said he is prepared for the challenge of competing at the very front of the Formula One grid.
“I’m ready to win today,” says Bottas. “Hopefully the car will be good and hopefully that will be possible sooner rather than later.”
After Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement from the sport after clinching the world championship at the end of last season, Mercedes picked the former Williams man as their choice to replace a driver that had been with the team since its transition into Mercedes in 2010.
“The team is in a different position from when Nico first joined Mercedes,” says Bottas. “I think the team has grown up a lot since and that’s what we’re hoping for for this year as well.
“I feel that four years as a race driver with Williams, fighting for podiums on many occasions, in a good car I’m definitely ready for poles and wins.”
Facing the prospect of having a triple world champion in Lewis Hamilton as a team mate in 2017, Bottas says he has no special plan to try and achieve what Rosberg did in beating Hamilton to a world title.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for me, going up against Lewis as my team mate,” says Bottas.
“It’s a fact that it’s never going to be easy to beat him. He’s a great driver – he’s a three-time world champion. But I have no special plan whatsoever other than just keep doing what I’m doing and improve every single day as a driver.
“It’s a big learning curve for me. But I’m feeling good for the season. I will do everything I can and trust my talent.”
Adam (@rocketpanda)
23rd February 2017, 17:23
I wish him well.
Dan
23rd February 2017, 18:43
Let’s hope so Valtteri because that’s why you were hired!! :-) That’s the one thing I can’t wait to see. How Bottas will do in a Merc. Should be good.
Hugh (@hugh11)
23rd February 2017, 18:44
Remember that Rosberg was probably considered about as highly as Bottas is when he went to Mercedes, and he was able to take the fight to Hamilton. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Bottas beat him a decent amount.
Andy (@andybantam)
23rd February 2017, 19:04
Yes, he did give the most successful driver of all time a good arse feeling, though. At the time, no one expected that.
I fully expect Bottas to finish second to Hamilton this year. With all due respect. Hamilton has his feet under the table for years and he’s done this before. This is a first for Bottas. He’s a great driver and will no doubt win a few. He’ll be dangerous after a season or two with a front running team, that’s for sure.
Hugh (@hugh11)
24th February 2017, 9:53
Yeah, I expect him to finish behind Lewis too, but not by as much as many are making out.
Andy (@andybantam)
23rd February 2017, 19:16
Yes, he thoroughly beat the most successful driver of all time, though. At the time, no one expected that.
I fully expect Bottas to finish second to Hamilton this year. With all due respect. Hamilton has his feet under the table for years and he’s done this before. This is a first for Bottas. He’s a great driver and will no doubt win a few. He’ll be dangerous after a season or two with a front running team, that’s for sure.
Tristan
23rd February 2017, 19:29
If Mercedes are as dominant again it won’t be so bad, just to see what happens with these two. I’ve never rated Bottas super highly, at least certainly not at Hamilton/Alonso/Vettel’s level, but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
Jeffrey (@jeffreyj)
23rd February 2017, 19:35
Bottas beat Ricciardo to the Formula Renault Eurocup title in their junior times.
Then he did really well in a bad Williams in 2013 as a rookie and in 2014 in a good Williams fighting for podiums. I haven’t seen him make to many spectacular overtakes but he always seems to maximize the car’s performance and he’s been especially good in qualifying compared to his teammates. I think, like Rosberg, Valtteri at least has a chance against Lewis.
Todfod (@todfod)
24th February 2017, 8:15
I don’t think using his Formula Renault cup record against Ricciardo proves anything. Heck, Vergne beat Ricciardo in F1 as well, but it didn’t mean he could maximise the potential of the front running machines.
Personally, I think Bottas will be a bit of a Barrichello. He’ll win races occasionally and be quicker than Hamilton on certain race weekends, but he won’t be absolutely on it on every race weekend, and I wouldn’t expect many legendary recovery drives or crucial overtakes that are really required to win the WDC. I think he’ll give Hamilton a ‘Rosberg 2015’ kind of competition level.
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
25th February 2017, 15:26
I can hardly wait!