After ten years in Formula 1, half of them at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas is facing a new stage at Alfa Romeo, where he says he feels much more comfortable and capable of leading an exciting project.
Nico Rossberg He was proclaimed Formula 1 world champion on November 27, 2016 and only five days later he announced that he was renouncing his contract with Mercedes and withdrawing from the category.
This news shocked the Formula 1 and sport, leaving Mercedes in a delicate situation that, finally, he resolved by agreeing with Williams on the release of Valtteri Bottas so that the Finn would become Lewis Hamilton’s new partner.
“When you feel a knife in your throat, the mind is not so bright”
Five years later, Valtteri Bottas He has left the champion team after not being able to beat his teammate in any of the seasons they have shared and having to convince Toto Wolff that it was worth keeping him in the position year after year.
Even Bottas recently acknowledged that he gave an ultimatum to the director of Mercedesresigning to continue in the team when the Austrian confirmed that he would not offer him a two-year contract.
«Of course, negotiating with Toto Wolff has been a good school which will definitely help me in my life even after my F1 career, “acknowledges Bottas in statements to the Oskari Saari podcast.
Identifies with Nico Rosberg
Few understood Nico Rosberg’s retirement just after becoming Formula 1 world champion, and Valtteri Bottas was one of them. However, now he sees things differently.
“I remember Lewis and Nico fighting really hard with each other and it even got a bit political. But when I got to Mercedes, I was wondering why Nico suddenly left it?Bottas admits.
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“Now I can identify with him. I can say from experience that it is not easy. If you feel like there is a knife in your throat, then the mind is not so bright.”he points out, referring to the constant pressure he has suffered at Mercedes.
«I can say that I have laughed and smiled much more since I announced that I signed for Alfa. That’s a fact. Well-being has risen to different levels in all aspects », he admits, relieved.
During these five years, Bottas has always had the shadow of doubt on him, so whenever he could he resorted to two traditional Finnish methods of relaxation.
“The sauna is a sacred place for me. Funny things happen, and yes, alcohol is used sometimes. Not so much to get rid of the pressure, but to clear your mind and relax for the upcoming race weekend. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn’t,” she admits.
Now, the Alfa Romeo challenge is his main concern, a challenge he has not accepted for money. “It’s not because of that. This is the right moment in my career, starting my 10th year in F1, so having responsibility and being able to really make a difference is great”Bottas concludes.