With the news breaking that Gabriel Bortoleto would join the Kick Sauber/Audi set up from 2025, it means for the first time since 2013 Valtteri Bottas won’t be on the grid.
By the end of the Abu Dhabi round the Finn will have amassed 247 entries(246 starts), with 10 wins and 67 podiums to his name up to the point of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
📸 Bottas celebrates one of his ten Grand Prix wins.
Bottas gained a reputation as the ‘ultimate teammate’ to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and someone who was capable of challenging his multi world champion teammate, but also as someone who would aid his team when required with almost no pushback.
📸 Bottas earned a reputation as a stellar teammate and team player, even giving up wins for Hamilton when they were Mercedes teammates.
With all that in mind, Alex and Linus have each picked a ‘Bottas moment’ that sticks out from his career.
Alex’s Pick - US GP, COTA, 2019
Starting from pole position, Bottas laid down a reminder to his team that he can beat Hamilton on his day, unfortunately on a day that Hamilton would wrap up title number six.
Bottas got an excellent launch and held the lead until the first round of stops, however as Bottas two stopped, Hamilton’s side of the garage opted for the one stopper, meaning Bottas would have to overtake to win at COTA.
📸 Bottas laps up the praise after taking pole.
In sumptuous style, Bottas attacked Hamilton, being forced off track by his teammate, before having a second crack at the world champion with a stunning DRS aided move to take the lead with less than a handful of laps to go.
Hamilton’s P2 sealed title number six, and overshadowed Bottas taking the win, but there was no doubt Bottas could have been a multiple champion in Hamilton-less world based off performances like this one.
Linus’ Pick: Turkish GP, Istanbul Park, 2021
For the first time in a long time, Lewis Hamilton was getting challenged for the World Drivers’ Championship, but the fight was actually coming from the Red Bull of Max Verstappen as Valtteri Bottas once again couldn’t consistently keep up with his teammate. However, Turkey 2021 was very much a sign that when Valtteri was on it, he was really on it!
Before we even talk about that weekend though, we have to remember the year prior in what was arguably Bottas’ worst-ever race, certainly as a Mercedes driver. See, not only was Bottas spinning around every few laps, but whilst he was doing that and coming home P14, his teammate Hamilton was making his way through the field to take a sensational victory to seal his record-equalling seventh world title!
📸 Bottas bounced back from a horrific 2020 showing to win in commanding style in Turkey.
So, in 2021, it was Hamilton who took pole for Mercedes, but new engine components meant he was starting P11 meaning Bottas was promoted to starting from the front. There was a lot of pressure on Bottas here because he needed a good result, both for himself and for his team who needed the points in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Standings! So what did Bottas do? Well he not only won the race, but he absolutely dominated to finish 14 and a half seconds ahead of Verstappen whilst his teammate Hamilton was some 41 seconds back in fifth.
📸 Celebrating in Istanbul.
I find Valtteri Bottas to be a driver that will get more respect and his acknowledgment now and in the future than he did during his prime with Mercedes. However, this was very much one of those Bottas drives were everyone had to stand up and appreciate his talent!
📸 Image credits: Formula Motorsport Limited, Sky Sports.
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