Valtteri Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017 after Nico Rosberg announced a shock retirement. Ever since then, teammate Lewis Hamilton has held the clear advantage when it comes to the Drivers’ Championship. In fact, Nico Rosberg remains the only driver to have defeated Hamilton in the hybrid era and some have suggested that Bottas should adopt the techniques Rosberg used to best Hamilton in 2016. Bottas, however, does not agree and he has now told Motorsport why

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0:00 - Bottas Does Not Want To Make Hamilton Angry
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Bottas Does Not Want To Make Hamilton Angry

Bottas began by explaining the team dynamics

“I think our strength as a team is that we really work together as a team. Of course we race against each other, but that's it. We know very well that the team can only benefit from good mutual cooperation. As a result, I will not hide data from him or do similar things”

He stressed the need for a harmonious environment

“In my view, good team spirit is often underestimated in the sports world, it is very important to maintain motivation and avoid conflict”

He then responded to the suggestions that he should emulate Rosberg

“I've been told many times that I need to change myself and become a kind of Nico Rosberg . But I'm not Nico Rosberg. I want to speak with my performance on the track and only race fairly”

He then explained why mind games aren’t a useful strategy against Hamilton

“I know Lewis quite well now and I know that playing mental games does not bring any benefit. Of course, it could be annoying for him, but I am also wasting my own energy on that”

He further elaborated on why he does not want to make Hamilton angry by using such tactics to sum up his words

“Besides, I think such an approach will just make him angry and that makes him drive even better. I want to win my own way. I keep trying new things. I always look to the future and know that there are still opportunities to come. At the same time, those opportunities are not endless. I know I will not get another fifteen seasons to beat Lewis. This season I really have to do everything I can”


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“As far as” Lewis Hamilton’s father Alexander Hamilton is “aware”, Lewis “will carry on racing. He loves racing, he loves what he does”

He further emphasized that “it’s nothing to do with targets” and that Lewis is “not racing for trophies, he races because he loves what he does and also he loves to inspire others”

Formula 1 has confirmed that the 2021 season will begin on the 26th of March in Bahrain

F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali is “pleased to confirm that the number of races planned for the” 2021 “season remains unchanged”

He further stressed that the “global pandemic has not yet allowed life to return to normal”

He, however feels that they “showed in 2020 that” they “can race safely as the first international sport to return and” they “have the experience and plans in place to deliver on” the upcoming season

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has stated that they “have to address the weak points and change the car, and to do that” they “have to use tokens”

He also added that “other teams do not have to do that, which is a disadvantage for” Ferrari which is why he expects “very strong competition in 2021”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said that they “also face the huge challenge of slightly modified regulations for 2021 and a huge change in the rules for 2022”

He added that “there are factors that work against” them “and that motivates” them “greatly”

He also feels that despite this “there are also factors that work for” them because they believe they “have a good organisation. In general terms”, they “embrace change and have done so in the past”

Wolff further confirmed that they “have to structure” themselves “in a different way than usual because of the budget cap”

A spokesperson for F1 has confirmed that there are no plans to secretly vaccinate everyone involved in F1 and “that no such plan is being worked on by either the FIA or Formula One”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little is “very excited to be able to confirm the rescheduling of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix to 18-21 November 2021”

He added that “as the third-last race of the season, this provides the opportunity to safely host what could be the championship-decider”


Will Ferrari be more competitive this season than they were in 2020?