Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes following five seasons as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate to sign Alfa Romeo in 2022. The Finn has given his explanation for relishing his new position.
After signing Alfa Romeo, Valtteri Bottas has stated that he thinks as though he has “something to say.”
The Finn joined the squad for the 2022 season after working with Lewis Hamilton for 5 years at Mercedes. Bottas won ten races during the span.
Bottas claims it was not challenging to accept when team owner Fred Vasseur advised him early on that he shouldn’t anticipate to be on the first step of the podium in his first season as an Alfa Romeo racer.
“I’m a realist and I knew that it would be a bit much to dream of wins,” Bottas told German publication Auto Motor und Sport.
“The team had two tough years. The goal had to be to consolidate. I had enough time to set myself new tasks and to focus on them mentally.”
Bottas thinks that in 2022, he would consider a podium finish as a win.
What Bottas does differently at Alfa Romeo than he does at Mercedes
In comparison to his time with the Silver Arrows, Bottas has taken on more of a leadership position at Alfa Romeo, and he has relished the new challenges they have brought.
“The new role means a lot to me and it motivates me,” he explained.
“I’m supposed to help the team find a direction. In tuning the car, in motivating the team and in helping my young teammate [Zhou Guanyu].
“The greater responsibility gives you greater satisfaction. I feel like I have something to say now.”
Bottas has been doing this by spending more and more time at the squad’s facility in Switzerland.
“I’m in the Sauber factory more often than at Mercedes,” the 32-year-old said.
“Every two races I drop by Hinwil, practically every time there are two weeks between Grands Prix.”
Alfa Romeo quickly made Bottas feel at home
Bottas claims that it only took him a short while to settle in with the Alfa Romeo team when questioned how long it had taken him to feel comfortable.
“[It didn’t take] that long in the race team,” the driver commented.
“We spent a lot of time together already during the test drives. It was like a crash course to get to know the people and how they work.
“In the factory, I still have to get to grips with it. There are already one or two faces that I don’t recognise yet.”
With 46 points, Bottas is presently ranked ninth in the World Championship, while Alfa Romeo has 51 points to place sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
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