2
Valtteri Bottas admits he is "not very happy" with his 2015 season. In the end, the Finn out-scored his Williams teammate Felipe Massa for the second year running, but many believe it was the back-in-form Brazilian's performance alongside Bottas that deterred Ferrari from signing him up.
"I was not very happy with my season, honestly," the 26-year-old admits. "I had bad luck in several races and I often could not extract 100 per cent from the car," Bottas told Brazil's UOL Esporte. "In the last few races it improved, some things changed and I started to feel better in the car."
He said he has learned he has an important role to play in helping to set the direction of car development. "As a driver, I have to be as honest and direct as possible with my feedback," said Bottas. "I have to push the team to always improve, telling them clearly what I think is the best."
"But things do not happen from one moment to the next and I'm still willing to help the team improve, because I think next year we will have a much stronger car and a much better performance than this season," he added.
However, Williams - as in 2014 - still finished a laudable third overall in the constructors' championship behind only Mercedes and Ferrari. But Mika Hakkinen, who is involved in Bottas' management, thinks Bottas is justified in being disappointed with 2015. "It is clear that a driver is disappointed when he does not improve compared to the previous season," said the former double world champion.
"The competitiveness of Williams was not quite as good as last year," Hakkinen told his sponsor Hermes in an interview, "but the third place in the constructors' championship was nice for the team. I know that Williams is more than satisfied with Valtteri's work," he added. "Patience is a virtue and for him it will be rewarded." (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
134,382 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
615,584 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think his performance wasnt that bad this year, especially since he outscored his way more experienced team mate and the fact that he had to battle a resurgent Ferrari. He should be happy, but perhaps not satisfied. I can see him as a future world champ.
khasmir
Posts: 893
It would be very nice to see a three-way battle next year with Merc and Ferrari.