“I’m not a Nico Rosberg, I prefer to do the talking on track and race fair,” says Valtteri Bottas on rivalry with Hamilton


“I’m not a Nico Rosberg, I prefer to do the talking on track and race fair,” says Valtteri Bottas on rivalry with Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes driver, Valtteri Bottas has stated that he has no intention of playing any mind games with his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, something which his predecessor, Nico Rosberg did. During the four years, Hamilton and Rosberg were teammates, the duo endured a strained relation off track and sometimes on it too.

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However, Bottas has asserted that he aims to focus on his own driving rather than trying to play mind games with Hamilton to outsmart him. The Finnish driver believes that any mind games with the Brit driver will only push him to do better.

“I think that the strength we have in the team is definitely that we can work as a team,” said Bottas, in an exclusive interview with Autosport. “We can for sure race hard, but we can also leave it there. And we know the fact that if we can work together, that’s how the team is going to benefit in the end,” said Bottas.

Of course, along the way, there’s been many people suggest I change to be a Nico Rosberg. But I’m not a Nico Rosberg. I much prefer to do the talking on track and race fair. I have also been able to get to know Lewis, and I know that there’s no benefit of trying to play with his mind. I’m sure it would be annoying for him, but it would be wasting my energy. And I think he will be getting even more pissed off and drive faster,” Bottas added.

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I know that I really need to try and beat Hamilton next year: Bottas

Bottas hopes to challenge Hamilton next year

Valtteri Bottas does not want to create a conflict in the Mercedes team, but he wants to maintain the competitive spirit and match up to Lewis Hamilton. The Finnish driver believes that he needs to change his approach for the upcoming season. He also accepts that fact that if he wants to beat Hamilton, he will have to produce his best in the coming season.

I’m keen to explore something, you know,” said Bottas. “I feel like maybe it’s time to try something different. Of course, I always look forward to the future, and there will be opportunities. But in this sport, there’s not going to be a million opportunities,” he said.

I know that I’m not going to have 15 seasons with Lewis to try to beat him. I know that I really need to try and do it next year [2021],” Bottas concluded.

Also Read: “Conclusion to the saga is not imminent” Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes continue contract talks

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