Bottas better prepared for F1 rumour-mill now

Valtteri Bottas says he is now more prepared for when intense speculation takes centre stage in his F1 career. After a steady and impressive first few seasons in the sport, the Finn found himself in the middle of global intrigue last year amid rumours he might replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.

Ultimately, 26-year-old Bottas is staying put at Williams, but he has admitted that the speculation was an unwelcome distraction in 2015. "In reality there is a lot more to formula one than driving," he told Finland's Ilta Sanomat newspaper. "Maybe now I can deal with similar situations better."

Asked if the F1 media and the sport's intense rumour-mill is the worst aspect of the sport, Bottas answered: "Well, yes maybe. However, I am a sports person, I like the sporting and driving side and I want to win the world championship, so it's just part of the sport," he added. (GMM)