Breaking news
Formula 1
Bottas says testing didn’t show full potential
Valtteri Bottas says his Formula 1 pre-season testing form did not show all that he is capable of, as he admitted his new Mercedes took some getting used to early on.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Mar 21, 2017, 6:18 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After his winter switch from Williams, Bottas has faced a busy winter adapting to his new team and trying to understand how best to unlock the full potential of his car.
But although team chairman Niki Lauda suggested Bottas lagged slightly behind Lewis Hamilton – especially over long run form – the Finn insisted on Wednesday that not too much should be read into his form there.
"I think the first time I was in the new car, as expected, you could tell I was getting used to everything," explained the Finn.
"The car was behaving quite differently from what I was used to, but every single day I feel like, and I can see, I managed to make good progress in terms of long runs and short runs. At the very end of testing I started to feel more and more comfortable.
"So far, from what I have seen, everything seems pretty close, but it is only testing and we were always driving at a different time of day, doing different run plans and programmes, so it is impossible to say.
"We will find out very soon and for me I definitely feel that my rate of improvement is going to be big this year. I feel every single time I am in the car I am getting better and more comfortable."
No number two fears
Bottas knows that he needs a strong season with Mercedes if he is to earn a fresh contract for 2018.
However, he insists he is not worried about the pressure on him to perform, nor of any potential risk of becoming a number two if he cannot challenge Hamilton early in the campaign.
"I don't feel that," he said. "Mercedes doesn't have number and number two driver, so it is up to me to perform. As long as I do my job, that it is to perform at the level that the car should be, then we are good. And I know I can do it."
He added: "I think for me it is a great opportunity. For sure it is a big challenge. There is no doubt I will definitely need to prove myself to a lot of people, and the team, that I deserve the place. But I see things very positively. I see it as a great opportunity for my career to fight for the win and hopefully even for the championship."
Ferrari form
Ahead of the first race of the season, Bottas says he is intrigued to see if Ferrari can repeat its strong testing form in this weekend's Australian Grand Prix – as he predicted a tough Formula 1 title battle this year.
"I think Ferrari is looking very strong," said Bottas. "It seems like they had a good winter. I think the pace they had in winter testing was quite interesting, and it is definitely going to be tough competition with them.
"I think they have a good package overall – with engine and car – so it will be interesting to find out if their car is going to suit Melbourne or if they are going to bring any upgrades.
"We are definitely expecting a close fight – at least to start with this season. Then it will be a long year with development."
Bottas says that Mercedes has worked hard to bring a 'strong package' to Melbourne after chasing answers about why some upgrade parts had not deliver steps expected in testing.
However, he thinks that the pace of development in F1 this season will be so intense that the form book between teams will fluctuate quite a lot.
"This year it is going to be like a development race with the new regulations. The rate of improvement is going to be massive and it is really difficult to predict. It is going to be close, that is what we will see.
"It will be a long year. And whatever the pace of different teams will be in Melbourne, it might not be the case in five races."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Season preview: Will Mercedes finally be toppled in F1's new era?
Next article McLaren-Honda comeback would be "Houdini-like" - Coulthard
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Valtteri Bottas
Colton Herta qualifies for F1 superlicence as Valtteri Bottas remains bullish on 2027 seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Colton Herta qualifies for F1 superlicence as Valtteri Bottas remains bullish on 2027 seat
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
Formula 1
Canadian GP
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
More from
Mercedes
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
6 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
7 h
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Latest news
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
4 h
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
5 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe