Valtteri Bottas finds renewed purpose at Alfa Romeo, shares insights on shifting mindset

After over a year with Alfa Romeo, former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas opened up about his changed mindset

Valtteri Bottas finds renewed purpose at Alfa Romeo, shares insights on shifting mindset

Valtteri Bottas (via IMAGO)

At the end of 2021, Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes after a successful five years with the Brackley outfit. Bottas was part of five world constructors’ titles with Mercedes. After being on par with his former team Mercedes last year, Alfa Romeo dipped in form and finished P6 in the standings with 55 points. However, after leaving the Silver Arrows, the Finish driver believes his winning days are not behind him.

In an interview with RacingNews365.com Bottas, it was revealed that he expected more from his new team. “It is pretty simple – other teams managed to improve a bit more than us over the winter,” said Bottas. “We’ve not been in the places we’re aiming for, which was to regularly be in the points – I have only scored in one race. That has to change,” he continued.

Bottas also opened up about a switch in mentality after joining Alfa Romeo. Joining the Hinwil-based team meant he had to give up on his championship dreams. But Bottas claims that his contract with Alfa Romeo is long-term. “Of course, I miss winning but I take this as a project and now the satisfaction comes from different things,” he argued. “It’s a long-term thing which I want to be involved in and I have not given up on winning,” he stated.

Also read: Carlos Sainz backs Ferrari despite dismissal start to 2023 season, claims the team is moving in the ‘right direction

Bottas shares insights on his new leadership role at Alfa Romeo

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Alfa Romeo drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu; image credits: The Race

In his 5-year stint with Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas was often overshadowed by his then-teammate Lewis Hamilton. However, after joining Alfa Romeo in 2022, Bottas had to partner up with rookie driver Zhou Guanyu, bearing a leadership role.

Bottas explained that teaming up with Zhou is a different experience and described it as “natural.” He further explained how the technical side of Formula One excites him, and his work with the team is more than only driving the car.  “I am really enjoying that part of my work that is not just purely driving, it is a bit more involved in the technical stuff, which is nice,” he said.

Valtteri Bottas, after a promising start with his new team, has dropped in form come the 2023 season. After accumulating 49 points last year, Bottas finished 10th in the drivers’ standings, and his team finished an impressive 6th place in the constructors’. However, this season his teammate is challenging the Finn every race weekend and has the better of him in qualifying. A 6th place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix remains the only points finish for Bottas this year.

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