Alfa Romeo F1 team Valtteri Bottas says there is nothing personal about his recent battle with George Russell, who joined Mercedes F1 as his successor.
After spending five seasons in Mercedes F1, Valtteri Bottas left the team at the end of 2021, and Mercedes upbringing driver George Russell won the seat after speculation that had been going on since 2020.
In 2021, Mercedes and Alfa Romeo were on the other side of the regular standings, but early in 2022 the two teams converged and are fighting in front of the midfield.
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas already have a little history. In 2021, they collided at Imola, Russell hit Bottas’ helmet, and Bottas reacted with his middle finger.
Then, in 2022, the F1 machines of Mercedes and Alfa Romeo became the same level, and both are developing a battle for ranking. Especially in Imola, Valtteri Bottas charged to take fourth place from George Russell. Bottas was slightly out of reach, but the two are already enjoying more fights.
Valtteri Bottas then fought both Mercedes at the Miami Grand Prix, but a decisive mistake opened the door to George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
When asked if he had any personal feelings about the fight with George Russell, Valtteri Bottas replied, “No, only points.”
“We are chasing points. We are always trying to get the most out of every opportunity and every position. Of course, Leh at Imola was a great target for me because at the end of the race around me. Didn’t do much. “
“I caught him for a few seconds a lap and it pushed me. The goal is to get more points than people.”
Valtteri Bottas was the only one who failed to score points this season at the retired Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and his fifth place at Imola is his best result so far.
I should have taken at least 4th place, but the pit stop was very slow and I sacrificed valuable time.
Valtteri Bottas explains that the Alfa Romeo F1 team is having a hard time putting together a clean weekend, and if it can, the next goal of reaching the podium will be a reality.
“In fact, we haven’t had a perfect race weekend yet,” said Valtteri Bottas.
“We’re having problems with practice, qualifying, or racing. It’s important to have a perfect weekend, and I think we’ll definitely be pretty close to the podium on some courses. That’s a big deal for us. It ’s motivation and goal, and it ’s what we ’re really pushing. ”
“We need to keep progressing and striving for perfection.”
Still, Valtteri Bottas enjoys his life with the Alfa Romeo F1 team and is pleased that the team hasn’t retreated in terms of performance in the opening round.
When asked if he enjoys being on the Alfa Romeo F1 team, Valtteri Bottas commented, “I’m having a lot of fun.”
“We started the season by scoring points in the first race. What I really enjoy is the progress we have made together as a team.”
“We are not retreating, and it is our motivation to move forward rather than retreat. I really enjoy it.”
Category: Category: F1 / Valtteri Bottas / Mercedes / George Russell / Alfa Romeo F1