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Bottas: Best way to beat Hamilton is to focus on myself

Published on 27 Mar 2020 10:02
9
By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas affirms the best way for him to beat teammate Lewis Hamilton and become a world champion is to focus on the job he himself is doing.

2020 is the fourth year that Bottas has partnered Hamilton at Mercedes, having joined the Silver Arrows following Nico Rosberg's retirement in 2016.

However, he has failed to consistently challenge Hamilton, who has won every world drivers' championship since Bottas joined Mercedes.

MORE: Hamilton urges public to stop 'totally irresponsible and selfish' socialising

2019 saw Bottas' most successful year to date in Formula 1, winning four races on his way to second place in the standings.

When asked if beating Hamilton was his main goal for the year, the Finn replied: “It’s the best comparison you can have.

“Maybe not particularly in testing because you might be running different programmes but when it comes to racing for sure, if I want to reach my goal which is the world title, I’ve got to beat my teammate as well.

“That will be high focus for me, but the best way to do it is to focus on myself.”

The 2020 season has been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has impacted the opening eight races of the year.

The earliest the sport will return to action is June at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal - a venue at which Bottas has four podium results.

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

Rosberg was different. He was always very close to Lewis. He won regularly. Got a lot of pole positions. Even when not winning, Rosberg had an effect on Lewis that Valteri has never achieved. Lewis is so comfortable that Valteri can't beat him that even when Valteri wins, Lewis is ok. Whenever Ro... [Read more]

1
Mar 29 2020 - 23:00

F1 News Valtteri Bottas Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Replies (9)

Manto02

Posts: 93
Better way to beat Hamilton is without James
- + 0
- Mar 27 2020 - 12:01
- Pistonhead
  
  Posts: 556
  Who's is James sorry?
  + 0
  
  Mar 27 2020 - 13:02
- abhidbgt
  
  Posts: 283
  :D
  + 0
  
  Mar 27 2020 - 13:07
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Oh please, as if Bottas had been anywhere near fighting for a championship in three years. James issued a team order at a time when the championship was all but settled.
  
  Bottas has no chance of beating Hamilton over a season. Which is a shame, as Lewis does get rattled when pushed (like every other driver). I would go e anything to see Alonso, Max, or Ricciardo in the other Mercedes
  + 0
  
  Mar 29 2020 - 22:56
- Manto02
  
  Posts: 93
  You're right, but bottas never had a serious chance of trying to get the title in his first two seasons.
  They also gave him a team order last year in Singapore when technically the wdc was still open but the WCC was basically sealed
  But of course rosberg had the mentality to beat lewis and valtteri didn't
  + 0
  
  Mar 29 2020 - 23:16
denis1304

Posts: 284
This guy is delusional...
- + 0
- Mar 27 2020 - 13:02
- Dert38
  
  Posts: 377
  no he isnt
  + 0
  
  Mar 27 2020 - 13:30
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  would said the same about Rosberg before he beat HAM.
  + 0
  
  Mar 27 2020 - 20:26
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Rosberg was different. He was always very close to Lewis. He won regularly. Got a lot of pole positions. Even when not winning, Rosberg had an effect on Lewis that Valteri has never achieved. Lewis is so comfortable that Valteri can't beat him that even when Valteri wins, Lewis is ok. Whenever Rosberg won pole or s race, Lewis was always livid and often times rattled. He would botch his starts at the race, mess up his Q3 laps, etc. That will never happen with Bottas
  + 1
  
  Mar 29 2020 - 23:00