Valtteri Bottas clearly feels the difference between the big Mercedes and the small Alfa Romeo team, but has taken a liking to it
Valtteri Bottas not only has to get used to the new ground-effect cars in preparation for the 2022 Formula One season, but also a new racing team. After his switch from class leader Mercedes to the comparatively small Alfa Romeo team of Sauber, that means a big change.
Asked about it on the sidelines of the Formula 1 test drives in Barcelona, the Finn admits: “You can clearly feel the difference. First of all, the team is a bit smaller, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and at least so far I like it.”
“There are so many new people and new things to get used to and learn, and I would say I’m still in the settling-in phase to really get to know the team and understand how everything works. But that’s part of the learning,” says the newcomer.
The mood in the team is good, he assures. “I enjoy it a lot, and with a bit more time on the track I would be even happier, but at least it’s fun. “
During the first of two pre-season tests, Alfa Romeo was beset by problems, resulting in Bottas completing just 54 laps in total. In the summary of all three days, he finished second last, three seconds behind, trailing only Alfa tester Robert Kubica.
About the C42, which will be the last car to be officially presented on 27 February, the Finn says: “It’s like a different machine for everyone. Of course you feel the car is heavier, that’s how it behaves. But there is so much more to learn about it.”
“I’ve only done a few runs in the last few days, but it’s not like night and day compared to other generations of cars. It feels good. Potential is there. “
