Alfa Romeo chief reveals Valtteri Bottas’ worth to the team amid disappointing spell of races

Valtteri Bottas has got off to a tough start in 2023 but despite this fact, Alfa Romeo’s team representative, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, has made it known that the Finn has had a huge impact on the team. Moreover, he disclosed that Bottas wants to fight for podiums and wins again in the sport. Of course, he was used to sticking his car in the podium places when he was with the Brackley-based Mercedes F1 team.

Valtteri Bottas since joining Alfa Romeo has really blossomed as a driver and Alunni Bravi while talking about his ambitions in the sport said, “I think he wants to stay in Formula 1. He wants to come back to fight for podiums, for wins. This is the ambition for every driver, of course, but he wants to be [fighting at the front].” He’s experienced in that regard, having won 10 races with Mercedes.

The Alfa Romeo representative has made it crystal clear that despite ending his ties with a champion team like Mercedes, Bottas still wants to fight with the top dogs of the sport and show his mettle once again as a racing driver. He wants to fight for podiums and wins and is not willing to give up on it until his last day in the sport.

This is the kind of spirit that is expected from every driver at the pinnacle of motor racing. However, it is easier said than done, considering Alfa Romeo does not have the machinery to be fighting for wins and podiums in Formula 1. Since its very first season, the Hinwil-based team has never found itself in a position to be fighting for podiums on a regular basis, much less fighting for wins.

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Alessandro Alunni Bravi has praised Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas was brought on board the Alfa Romeo team with the intention of helping them in moving forward in the sport. Moreover, with his arrival, the team was able to finish the 2022 F1 season in the sixth position in the Constructors Championship. He’s had a very positive impact since moving to the Ferrari engine customer team. It’ll be interesting to see if he can stick around till Audi arrives.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi is well aware of this fact and while praising the Finnish driver for helping the team grow, he said, “He’s helping our team to do this step. It was important last year for us, because he instilled in the team this winning culture that Mercedes had. Maybe from outside, you didn’t notice this too much, but it was really important.”

He added: “His presence during each week, coming to the workshop, working with the engineers, working on the simulator, having speeches with our employees to motivate our group with them here, and working together with Zhou [Guanyu]. Valtteri is important, as important as Zhou. This is why we think that we have a good mix of drivers.”

Bravi has in no way shied away from applauding the job that Bottas has done at Alfa Romeo, on track as well as off it. The Finnish driver has a wealth of experience when it comes to F1 and it is really good for the team to have him leading the charge. Considering everything, how well do you think Bottas and CO. would be able to perform during the 2023 F1 campaign?

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