Valtteri Bottas feels he has reached the point where he is able to perform at his “best level”, believing that he is now “fully settled in” at Mercedes, following his off-season move from Williams.
Bottas joined Mercedes in January as a replacement for Nico Rosberg, who opted to retire from racing just days after clinching the 2016 championship.
Bottas has emerged as a title contender, taking victories in Russia and Austria, and was the in-form driver prior to the summer break, having secured five successive podium finishes.
Bottas feels that there is “plenty more to come” in the second half of the season, but is adamant that any potential pace deficit can no longer be attributed to his late move across to Mercedes.
“I feel I’m fully settled in, I can’t say that I’m lacking performance because of being new to the team,” Bottas explained.
“I feel very much part of the team, the team has been fully supportive of that.
“For sure Lewis [Hamilton] has been with the team [for] many years, it’s always a benefit, I know [that] from being at Williams for a long time.
“It’s got to the point with the team that I can definitely perform at my best level and now we just continue to work ahead. For sure there’s plenty more to come but I’m feeling good in the team.”
Bottas added that he has also been pleased to validate his own skills, having been pitched against three-time champion Hamilton at Mercedes this season.
“Lewis is one of the quickest drivers ever in Formula 1,” Bottas commented.
“It’s never going to be easy to try and battle with him or be ahead, but I [was] sure maybe it’s possible.
“It’s also confirmation for me about my skills and obviously for all the critics as well from my side at least.”
Discussion about this post