Valtteri Bottas is a familiar figure for many Formula 1 fans. Since 2022, he has taken on the role of lead driver for the Alfa Romeo team, forming a partnership with Guanyu Zhou. Prior to this, he served as a driver for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton. Before his time with Mercedes, Bottas competed for Williams. The Finnish driver has been a notable presence in the racing scene.
Bottas commenced his racing career at the tender age of six in 1995. The Finn gradually ascended through various lower Formula classes over the years, eventually making his debut in Formula 3. He spent two seasons with ART GP in Formula 3, clinching a third-place finish in the championship in his debut season. Despite his readiness to claim the title in 2010, his car proved less competitive, resulting in another third-place finish. However, he did secure the GP3 title before making his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2013. Though his initial years with Williams were in a moderately competitive car, it was with Mercedes that he achieved his first victories in the premier racing series.
Bottas in 2022
After a five-year stint with Mercedes, the collaboration between the two came to an end. The 32-year-old Bottas will be succeeded by George Russell at Mercedes. Opting to continue his racing journey with the Alfa Romeo team, Bottas hopes to take on a leading role, akin to the role Hamilton played at Mercedes in recent years. He will be forming a partnership with Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou at his new team.
Hamilton, Bottas’s former teammate, once referred to the Finn as the best teammate in Formula 1 due to his supportive role during his tenure at Mercedes. While it may not be the compliment a title-contending driver seeks, it underscores the recognition of Bottas’s qualities.
Bottas, Future Star at Williams
Following his fifth-place finish in the Karting World Championship, Bottas transitioned to Formula racing in 2007. He clinched victories in the Northern European Cup and the Renault Eurocup in 2008, leading to his promotion to Formula 3 with ART Grand Prix in 2009. Despite facing challenges in the highly competitive Formula 3, Bottas made a triumphant switch to the GP3 series, securing the championship title in 2011. His Formula 1 debut followed in 2013.
In his initial F1 season, Bottas, with an eighth-place finish as his best result, struggled to achieve significant success. Given the less competitive nature of Williams’ car in 2013, this outcome was not surprising. Nevertheless, Williams was pleased with Bottas’s performance, leading to a contract extension. In 2014, with Williams switching to Mercedes power, Bottas’s results improved significantly. He stood on the podium six times that season, securing two second-place finishes. The Finn finished the championship in fourth place, a position he did not surpass until his move to Mercedes in 2017. While achieving one third-place and two second-place finishes in the championship with Mercedes, a serious title challenge eluded him.
Bottas Bows to Hamilton’s Dominance
In 2019, Bottas had a strong start to the season, standing on the podium nine times before the summer break, including two victories. He secured the second position in the championship that year, ultimately finishing behind his teammate. Of the 21 races, he graced the podium an impressive 15 times, with four wins. However, despite his efforts, it was insufficient to overcome Hamilton.
In 2020, Bottas again finished as the runner-up but with less conviction. Whereas he had a 48-point advantage over Max Verstappen in 2019, the margin was reduced to just nine points in 2020. Despite achieving two wins, the same as Verstappen, Bottas couldn’t surpass his Dutch rival. He stood on the podium 11 times that year, but once again, he played second fiddle to teammate Hamilton, who clinched his seventh world title.
Valtteri Bottas F1 career Valtteri Bottas F1 career Valtteri Bottas F1 career
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