Valtteri Bottas played a crucial role in guiding Kimi Antonelli to a strong qualifying result at Suzuka, offering vital coaching and support.
Bottas deserves recognition for getting Kimi Antonelli back on track at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
This is the view from the Mercedes F1 team, who witnessed Bottas’ key role in supporting the young Italian driver.
After losing his seat at Sauber, Bottas, the former Mercedes race winner, returned to the German F1 team this season, keeping his name and presence alive in the paddock.
The 35-year-old Finnish driver took part in a “TPC” test day with McLaren last week, as he could be called upon by the Mercedes-powered team to race if needed in 2025.
Though Bottas is already signed with Cadillac for 2026, he’s attending all the Grands Prix this season as Mercedes’ reserve driver, while also acting as a mentor to 18-year-old Antonelli.
“I won’t lie,” Antonelli admitted after qualifying at Suzuka. “I was quite lost and had very little confidence.”
In the end, Antonelli managed to qualify in 6th place, just two-tenths of a second and one spot behind his teammate George Russell.
Bottas provided some invaluable advice during the weekend.
“He was constantly having issues in the first sector. The tire temperature wasn’t ideal at the start of the lap,” Bottas explained.
Bradley Lord, the communications director who filled in for Toto Wolff over the weekend, highlighted Bottas’ mentoring role: “Bottas did an excellent job coaching him. He gave him tips on how to get the tires into the right temperature range to ensure better grip in that first sector.”
“It worked in every subsequent stint,” Lord added.
- Discover More>Bottas Announces More F1 Tests and Ongoing Talks for 2026
- Follow us on >FACEBOOK and >TWITTERfor F1 updates
Bottas Boosts Antonelli’s Confidence at Suzuka
Bottas Boosts Antonelli’s Confidence at Suzuka