Valtteri Bottas has not yet secured a contract for the 2025 season. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, the 10-time race winner discussed the challenges of competing against seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas joined Mercedes-AMG in 2017 after Nico Rosberg’s retirement and raced alongside Hamilton for five seasons until 2021. During his time with the team, he achieved all his race wins, 58 podium finishes, and 20 pole positions. He also finished second to Hamilton in both 2019 and 2020 and helped Mercedes secure its eighth consecutive constructors’ title in his final season.
Reflecting on his experiences with Mercedes, Bottas admitted the tough reality of racing Hamilton. “It took me until the end of my five years with Mercedes to realize and accept that I couldn’t beat Lewis for a whole season. He was at the peak of his ability then. But that’s life. That’s racing,” he stated.
Currently, Bottas has not scored any points this season, marking the first time since his debut in 2013 that he has gone point-less throughout the year. Despite being at the bottom of the standings, he believes he is driving better now than during his time at Mercedes. He noted that experience brings increased consistency and confidence, although his performance may be less visible while competing near the back of the grid.
With six races left in the 2024 season, Bottas aims to contribute points to his and Alfa Romeo’s standings.
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