Breaking news
Formula 1
Hamilton: Bottas partnership probably F1's greatest ever
Lewis Hamilton believes his partnership with Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas is probably the greatest that has existed in Formula 1.
Scott Mitchell
Published: Nov 8, 2018, 11:43 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Hamilton has won two world titles since Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017 from Williams to replace Nico Rosberg, with whom Hamilton developed an acrimonious relationship during their exclusive title fights from 2014-2016.
Bottas has pushed Hamilton closely in the first half of each season, although struggled to match his teammate in the second half.
However, the Mercedes pair have won 21 races between them in two seasons and have put the Silver Arrows on the brink of a fifth straight constructors’ title.
Asked for his thoughts on Bottas’s role in a fifth drivers’ title, Hamilton said: “We have such a huge respect for each other.
"I see how hard he works, he sees how hard I work, we don't play games in between to try to throw off the [other] guy.
“In actual fact, we work together. There are times where I’ve figured something out in my set-up and I’ll tell him, and there are times that I can talk to him.
“It’s the greatest partnership in terms of respect and teamwork from drivers that I’m sure has ever existed in Formula 1 probably.
“This year definitely there have been times when he has been fundamental in us winning races.”
While Bottas has been pitched in a number-two role late this season to aid Hamilton's title push, Hamilton said he would play the same role himself if he was the second driver in a similar scenario as “ultimately the team don’t care which driver wins”.
Bottas is winless in 2018 after a variety of setbacks, with at least two nailed-on victories lost thanks to a late puncture in Azerbaijan and moving aside for Hamilton in Russia.
“This year, he started out really strong and then he had some really difficult races,” said Hamilton.
“I think Baku, for example, was a huge hit for him. He deserved that win and then he got that tyre blow up.
“I’m very, very grateful to him as a teammate and for the help that he has given me in achieving this incredible dream, so a big, big thank you to him.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+, leads Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+
Photo by: Steve Etherington / LAT Images
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 F1's new talent will make races "fun" in 2019
Next article Have your say on F1's big topics with the Motorsport Fans app
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
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
9 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
10 h
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
52 min
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
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