‘I don’t need to worry about, “Do I have a seat or no?,'” Valtteri Bottas takes a subtle dig at Mercedes’ one-year contract policy
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Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas is probably one of the most humble F1 drivers out there on the grid. The Finnish driver was part of the world-class Mercedes set up for five seasons from 2017-2021, where they claimed five back to back constructors championships. The passion which Valtteri Bottas shares for Formula One is probably unmatched, and he has still the determination to keep going.
After a five-year stint with Mercedes came to an end list season, Valtteri Bottas made his move to mid-table side, Alfa Romeo. Although, he did not claim a F1 championship at Mercedes, yet it was a very successful tenure for the Mercedes driver.
Now, at Alfa Romeo, Valtteri Bottas is driving alongside Chinese driver, Guan Zuanyu. Things have started on a bright note this season, with both drivers finishing among points in Bahrain, with Bottas taking home 8 points with a solid P6 finish.
Valtteri Bottas was handed a multi-year contract at Alfa Romeo. The Finnish driver believes that the contract offered played a huge role in his shift to Alfa Romeo, given that Mercedes and Williams never offered him more than a one-year contract.
“I think that was quite big factor in how I felt when I signed with a team. Because I’ve really never had it before. Yes, I’ve had, in a way, long-term contracts, but every year there’s been an option from the team side. And that’s been the same with Mercedes and even with Williams during the four years I had with them,” said Bottas in an interview to the People.
I deserve it at this point in my career: Valtteri Bottas on bis multi-year contract
Valtteri Bottas added that having a multi-year contract has taken a lot of pressure off him, knowing that he does not to worry about getting a seat for the next season. Having the Mercedes’ stamp on his CV, Valtteri Bottas believes that he deserves the freedom of having a multi-year contract at this stage in his career.
“So for the first time, I know exactly that the effort I put in today is also going to benefit in the years after. I don’t need to look only into the next six months or so, and I don’t need to worry about, “Do I have a seat or no?” I can just focus on the work and to me, it is motivating. I feel like I deserve it at this point of my career,” Bottas added.
Valtteri Bottas was never the first-choice driver at Mercedes, as his race was often compromised for his teammate, Lewis Hamilton. However, the Finnish driver can expect to see none of it happening this season, given that Alfa Romeo have assembled a new look lineup, with Valtteri Bottas being the experienced driver.
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Nirmit Mehta
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