Hamilton is reason behind Bottas’ Mercedes struggles: Team principal

BRACKLEY − Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that Lewis Hamilton’s expertise behind the wheel has been the source of Valtteri Bottas’ struggles ahead of his departure to Alfa Romeo next month after four years with the Formula One giant, according to a report by The Daily Express.

The forthcoming move will see the Finnish racer switching one-year deals at Williams and his current team for a multi-year contract with the Italian motor manufacturer.

Since his arrival in 2017, Bottas has helped Hamilton dominate the Formula One grid − finishing as runner-up in the Drivers’ World Championship in the past two years.

However, Bottas has never mounted a challenge in the same ilk Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has this season.

As Hamilton is now just one world title away from surpassing Michael Schumacher’s seven, Bottas has undoubtedly supported the Briton’s pursuit of the all-time record.

Nevertheless, after Bottas failed to impress in the first 11 races of 2021, and with Hamilton currently trailing Verstappen with two races left this season, Mercedes have decided to freshen up the team for next year by confirming George Russell as Hamilton’s teammate in 2022.

Bottas, who has suggested his improved performances after the decision could be down to him shaking off the pressure over his Mercedes future, has said: “Toto thinks pressure is good for me. I agree, pressure for a certain length of time is good and can get more out of you.

“But if you have pressure contractually for nine years of your Formula One career − year by year − it starts to eat you (up) from inside, you know?”

In response, Wolff has admitted that driving with Hamilton − arguably the greatest Formula One driver in history − has likely taken its toll on Bottas.

He told Motorsport.com (via F1i.com): “I think Valtteri has been in a pressure cooker since the beginning of his single-seater career.

“Would a multi-year contract have been better? In hindsight, you can always have a different opinion.

“I still think he’s a great guy and a fast driver. But I also think spending years with Lewis can put a lot of pressure on him.”

Despite being Hamilton’s wingman at Mercedes, Wolff believes Bottas is unbeatable when he showcases his ‘sheer speed’, citing his Turkish Grand Prix victory in October as proof.

“The sheer speed is there, and when the sheer speed kicks in with Valtteri, nobody can beat him. Look at Turkey,” Wolff added.

“But sometimes, there are oscillations, and I wonder if it’s due to pressure or anything else.

“Maybe it’s the consequence of having Lewis Hamilton − a seven-time World Champion − as a teammate. There is nobody else in the 100-win club, he is the only one.” – Agencies, December 2, 2021