In five years as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate, Valtteri Bottas has learnt a lot about the seven-time champion, as well as about himself
That Lewis Hamilton can be defeated in the battle for race wins has been proven by Max Verstappen several times in the 2021 Formula 1 season. In order to also defeat the Mercedes driver in the World Championship battle, Verstappen admittedly had to rely on the now sacked FIA race director Michael Masi at the much-discussed finale in Abu Dhabi. But what are the chances of beating Hamilton with identical equipment?
One who can perhaps best answer this question is Valtteri Bottas. After all, he was Hamilton’s team-mate at Mercedes for five years – exactly 100 in races. In that period Bottas has managed ten victories, whereas Hamilton has achieved 50 in the same period.
In the direct comparison of podiums (78:58), poles (42:20) and fastest race laps (28:18), Bottas was closer to Hamilton in each case. However, he did not outdo the Briton in any of the categories.
When asked specifically whether Hamilton can be beaten in the same car over the course of a season, Bottas replied for the March issue of ‘GP Racing’ magazine: “I doubt it. Of course it’s always possible, but …” he pauses in his comments and then continues: “When I came to Mercedes, I was determined that I would beat Lewis. Five years later, I still haven’t managed to do that.” The next to try is Hamilton’s new Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Bottas has “definitely learned a lot” in his five years as Hamilton’s teammate, as he says. But: “How consistent he can be, especially in the races, that’s really impressive. While it’s nice to know that I can beat anyone on a good day. But I also accept the fact that Lewis’ consistency is on another level. The same goes for his ability to adapt to certain circumstances.”
And that’s why Bottas, who now takes to the wheel for Alfa Romeo, is convinced when it comes to Hamilton: “At least for the near future, I doubt he will be beaten with identical material. “
Bottas does not regret five years at Mercedes
Bottas also makes one thing clear: looking back, he does not regret his five years as Hamilton’s team-mate. “Now that I’ve had a bit of time to reflect, I tend to remember all the good things and less of the negative things. There have been so many positive things in these five years,” says the Finn and starts to enumerate: “All the achievements and the I don’t know how many podiums are really cool. “
58 podiums were Bottas’ achievements as a Mercedes driver, including his ten victories. Apart from that, he has “learnt so much, I’ve definitely become a much better driver and I’ve become stronger as a person as well. “
“My technical knowledge has grown like everything while I was with the [Mercedes] team. And that will benefit me in the future, for example when it comes to taking this [Alfa Romeo] team further forward,” Bottas said shortly before the 2022 Formula One season opener.
Asked specifically what he has learned about himself during his time at Mercedes, Bottas replies: “There is, for example, that I have learned what works for me as a driver and what does not. I also learnt how pressure can disturb you unconsciously. That’s something you only realise once you’re freed from that pressure. Only then do you realise how much better you feel and how much more you can enjoy things.”
And so the Finn, for whom the first season at Alfa Romeo will be the tenth season of his Formula One career overall, says: “I think I’ve now reached a stage in my career where I don’t care what people say or what they think. I just live for myself and for achieving my goals and having fun. “
