Valtteri Bottas reveals he ‘Nearly Quit’ Mercedes after controversial swap with Lewis Hamilton


Valtteri Bottas reveals he ‘Nearly Quit’ Mercedes after controversial swap with Lewis Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas

Many are aware of the fact that Valtteri Bottas has been driving for the most dominant team in the F1 ever since he replaced Nico Rosberg. But the Finn Driver makes an interesting revelation in his most interview wherein he disclosed, he was about the quit the team in 2018.  

ADVERTISEMENT

While most of it is down to Bottas’ own inability to challenge Lewis on a consistent basis, the Brackley-based outfit haven’t done him any favors. 

Looking back at the instance to bring everyone on the same page, Bottas had started the race from pole position and marched into the lead. However, on lap 26, Mercedes made the drastic decision. They ordered the Finn to swap places with Lewis Hamilton, who was behind him and fighting Sebastian Vettel , who was in third place for the title. It was at this very moment when Valtteri heard those famous words, “Valtteri, it’s James.” Words that will go down in F1 history. 

Valtteri Bottas on quitting Mercedes F1 after swap with Lewis Hamilton in Russia 

There have been some questionable swap calls in the past, the most infamous one being at Russia in 2018. As revealed in episode 3, Season 3 of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Bottas came close to taking some drastic steps as a reaction. 

ADVERTISEMENT

He said, “Yeah, it was tough. Tough to accept. I was pretty angry. Honestly, I was thinking ‘why do I do this.’ I was thinking of quitting, giving up. 

“Straight after the race, I said I would not do it again.” 

Team boss Toto Wolff had said, “Valtteri was in an impossible situation where we had to make decisions that are uncomfortable.” 

He finished that race in second place. However, it was scarcely enough to please him. But what made the result worse was that fact that he hadn’t won a single race that year. Havig said that, Russia 2018 was the closest the Finn got in 2018 to being atop the podium.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: Sebastian Vettel gains no sympathy from the McLaren F1 Boss, Andreas…