Breaking news
Formula 1
Lauda: Bottas will be just as fast as Rosberg
Mercedes Formula 1 chief Niki Lauda has tipped Valtteri Bottas to be just as quick as Nico Rosberg, as he made clear the Finn was free to challenge new teammate Lewis Hamilton as hard as he wanted in 2017.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jan 17, 2017, 11:36 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Following weeks of negotiations to find a replacement for Rosberg, Mercedes and Bottas finally signed their contract on Monday to complete his move from Williams.
And Lauda has no doubts that the German car manufacturer has got the right man, and that the Finn will be just as strong as his predecessor.
"Bottas is the best man," Lauda told German broadcaster RTL. "I believe he can drive similarly as fast as Nico. This is why we start the new season with him and Hamilton.
"We looked for a driver who fits our team. Until now we always had two top drivers who were able to fight for the world championship. Nico and Lewis were a fine example of that, because they were fighting head-to-head.
"Sometimes one was in front, sometimes the other. In the last three years we won everything there was to win. And this is why we decided to go with Bottas, as he brings experience and speed to the team."
"He is a calm Finn and I like that about him. He doesn't talk a lot but is a hard worker. Toto and I have known him for years. I think he fits really well into the team."
No team orders
Lauda also made it clear that Bottas would be free to challenge Hamilton as hard as he wanted, as Mercedes guns for its fourth consecutive F1 title.
"As always: both drivers can push as much as they want, completely free. This never has changed at Mercedes and it won't change in the future.
"We talked to Lewis and explained to him that Bottas will be driving alongside him. Lewis doesn't have an issue with that and neither does Bottas. I think we can go calmly into the season with these two drivers."
Relaxed team
Lauda added that he felt more relaxed too, with the uncertainty that the Formula 1 team faced when Rosberg quit at the end of last year having passed now that it has managed to sign Bottas.
"The commotion after we lost Nico has gone completely," said Lauda in an interview with German broadcaster RTL. "I'm very relaxed now because I believe with Bottas we again have an equal driver pairing like last year."
Additional reporting by Stefan Ehlen
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 Time for Bottas to step up and prove himself, says Wolff
Next article Renault has made a "good step" with F1 engine, says Newey
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
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
17 h
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
Formula 1
Canadian GP
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
More from
Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli labels the "turning point" in F1 title-winning season
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
51 min
Kimi Antonelli labels the "turning point" in F1 title-winning season
What was Kimi Antonelli’s best moment of his F1 title-winning campaign? Our writers have their say
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
18 h
What was Kimi Antonelli’s best moment of his F1 title-winning campaign? Our writers have their say
Latest news
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
16 min
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
Kimi Antonelli labels the "turning point" in F1 title-winning season
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
51 min
Kimi Antonelli labels the "turning point" in F1 title-winning season
Alex Marquez undergoes surgery on his right shoulder and begins recovery at home
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
54 min
Alex Marquez undergoes surgery on his right shoulder and begins recovery at home
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